Professional Doulas of Charleston is committed to helping couples give birth in their own way by providing pregnancy, labor and postpartum support. Doulas maintain professionalism and high standards of personal conduct. In addition, Professional Doulas of Charleston strives to educate the public about the role of the doula and natural childbirth.
Have You Hired Your Doula Yet?
The Cochrane Library, 2011 Issue 2, published a new scientific literature review in February demonstrating the many benefits of Continuous Labor Support.
Among their findings: "continuous support appeared to have the greatest impact when the companion was neither on the hospital staff nor selected from the woman’s social network (e.g., when a doula or community member provides such care) — in comparison with usual care, such care was associated with reduced use of any anesthesia/analgesia, synthetic oxytocin, and cesarean section, with reduced dissatisfaction, and with increased spontaneous birth; continuous support by a member of the hospital staff did not seem to impact cesarean section, spontaneous birth, or women’s satisfaction, and may have increased use of synthetic oxytocin; support by companions selected from the woman’s social network (e.g., partner, husband, other relative, friend) was associated with increased satisfaction, but did not seem to impact use of obstetric interventions."
to read more, please click here
Among their findings: "continuous support appeared to have the greatest impact when the companion was neither on the hospital staff nor selected from the woman’s social network (e.g., when a doula or community member provides such care) — in comparison with usual care, such care was associated with reduced use of any anesthesia/analgesia, synthetic oxytocin, and cesarean section, with reduced dissatisfaction, and with increased spontaneous birth; continuous support by a member of the hospital staff did not seem to impact cesarean section, spontaneous birth, or women’s satisfaction, and may have increased use of synthetic oxytocin; support by companions selected from the woman’s social network (e.g., partner, husband, other relative, friend) was associated with increased satisfaction, but did not seem to impact use of obstetric interventions."
to read more, please click here
Working within our Mission Statement includes but is not limited to:
- Keeping lines of communication open with clients and their chosen health care providers
- Advocating for clients
- Making appropriate referrals when asked to practice outside the scope of one's abilities and/or training
- Maintaining confidentiality
- Honoring the client/doula contract
- Pursuing continuing education
Studies confirm the value of our time-honored work. Women who give birth in the continuous presence of a doula are:
- 26% less likely to give birth by cesarean section
- 41% less likely to give birth with vacuum extraction or forceps
- 28% less likely to use any pain medications
- 33% less likely to be dissatisfied with or negatively rate their birth experience
In addition, families who benefit from doula care experience:
- decreased length of labor
- fewer requests for epidurals
- increased confidence of the father
- increased breastfeeding success
"If a doula were a drug, it would be unethical not to use one."
--John Kennell, The Doula Book
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© 2005-10 Professional Doulas of Charleston. Email Us. Site design by Adrienne Leeds & Breezy Peterson.
Standards of Practice | Membership Policy | FAQs | Testimonials | Birth Locations | Resources
© 2005-10 Professional Doulas of Charleston. Email Us. Site design by Adrienne Leeds & Breezy Peterson.
