Benefits
Why choose a doula?
Research shows that the comfort and support provided by a doula often helps reduce labour time and the need for intervention. Moms tend to cope more successfully, and the experience is ultimately more satisfying. Scientific studies indicate the following benefits of having a doula involved in labour and delivery:
- 50% reduction in Cesarean sections
- 60% reduction in requests for epidural anesthesia
- 40% reduction in the need for forceps or assisted delivery
- 25% shorter labour
- 40% reduction in the need for Oxytocin
- 30% reduction in analgesia use
- Fewer cases of postpartum depression
- Increased success with breastfeeding
- Increased confidence and participation by the father/partner
Source: Mothering the Mother: How a Doula Can Help You Have a Shorter, Easier, and Healthier Birth by Kennell, Klaus, and Kennell (1993).
Next to your partner, a doula may be the only person at the labour who is there solely for the emotional well-being of the mom. The doula has no other priorities (no shift changes, clinical responsibilities, office hours and hospital policies)—she stays with you until after the baby is born.
Why choose New Arrivals?
Our goal is to help you have a positive pregnancy and childbirth experience: to work toward your vision of how you’d like the birth to be—and to adapt when nature demands a change of plan.
We attend home and hospital births, providing care, comfort and support to expecting moms, their partners and family and friends who will be participating in the birth experience. For us, it is both an honour and a privilege.
New Arrivals is a venture of Shannon MacFarlane. Shannon has trained with CAPPA as an antepartum, labour and postpartum doula, and with DONA as a labour doula. She is a committed and caring professional who regularly attends conferences and training sessions to maintain the most up-to-date skills, and holds complete and current certification in both CPR and first aid. She’s also the proud mom of two children, aged 10 and 4.