Simply, a doula is a professional birth assistant.

For almost 40% of women, a doula is the difference between having a cesarean and avoiding one.

For me, she was the difference in me being a full participant, rather than a spectator, in my own birth experience.

When I was unsatisfied with my current practitioner, she referred medical professionals better suited to my situation.

After visiting my doctor and midwife, she helped me find more information relevant to my personal situation and the choices I needed to make. I was able to make every choice with confidence. This confidence gave me power to make decisions that were informed and best for my situation.

When I did need a cesarean, she made space for my voice to be heard in how the surgery was executed. While a C-Section wasn't my desired outcome, my doula photographed the beautiful birth. And somehow, while still photographing, she was the first to notice my nausea and held my hand through it. Because of her, I had an operating team that performed a far gentler cesarean than my first.

Both of my births resulted in major surgery. However, there were stark differences in how they were handled. My first birth left me with regrets. I felt that my priorities were ignored. I wished things had gone differently.

So what is a doula? Statistically, a doula's presence decreases the risk of cesarean by 39%, increases the likelihood of spontaneous vaginal birth by 15%, decreases likelihood of birth dissatisfaction by 31%.

For me, a doula is a well of information and resources, a space-maker for my voice to be heard, a hand holder when things aren't perfect.

For more information about what a doula can do during a birth (especially for non-cesarean mothers) as well as the source for the statistics shared: Evidence Based Birth