No. You don't "NEED" a doula.
But, could you and your partner and your baby BENEFIT from having doula support? Could a doula help you receive the support you need throughout pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period? Could a doula instill confidence, reassurance and knowledge?
100%. Hands down, yes.
Research shows that doula support improves outcomes. For parents AND baby. Increased APGAR scores, higher rates of satisfaction, shorter labors, decreased interventions, etc.
A 2017 Cochrane review of 26 trials of labor support and doula care involving women from over 180 countries found the following:
-Shorter duration of labor
-Decrease in cesarean birth -Increase in spontaneous vaginal birth -Decreased use of analgesia -Higher rate of maternal satisfaction
Further evidence of these conclusions can be found at the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists or at Evidence Based Birth.
Before you hire a doula, do some homework. Read up on the benefits, understand a doulas role and then do some interviews with a few doulas in your area that you think would be a good fit for you. I know I'm not for everyone, and I'm okay with that. You will benefit from a doula that you mesh well with and it could honestly end up being the most beneficial thing you could do to start (or continue building) your family.
Peace,
Nicole (doula)
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