What is a Doula Worth?

First, some Tangibles

50% less cesarean births. Average cost of a vaginal birth, in hospital, in 2005: $7,000-$9,000. Average cost of a cesarean birth in 2005: $12,000-$16,000. These numbers are actually fairly conservative- it is not unusual to hear of people paying $30,000 or more for cesarean births. Sticking to the low end of these numbers, parents who hire a doula for $300-$800 are reducing by half the likelihood that they will have to pay an additional $5,000-$7,000 for a surgical delivery. We are a great financial investment!

-60% less requests for epidural anesthesia. Epidurals are a very popular method of pain relief for childbirth today, used by the vast majority of birthing women in many hospitals. However, their use is associated with a long list of side effects. Among the more common ones are labor slowing down (often necessitating other medication to speed it up- Pitocin), maternal fever, and maternal blood pressure fluctuations. Side effects can also include pain at the point on the spine where the needle/catheter was inserted, persisting weeks or months after the birth; chronic backache; and (rarely, thankfully) paralysis and death. Sadly, many women agree to an epidural in labor simply because they do not have the preparation or personal support to cope with normal birth.

Doulas are an essential component in keeping birth normal- a doula's constant, reassuring presence and numerous hands-on support techniques help keep mothers actively working with their babies & their own bodies' amazing birthing powers towards a healthy birth.

And then the more subtle effects, those that can and often do ripple their benefits throughout a lifetime:

- "My partner is great!"- Six weeks after delivery, 49% of mothers who did not have a doula reported 'increased satisfaction' with their partner. Amazingly, that percentage went up to 85% in those who had a doula- mothers who were doula-ed see their partners in a more positive light, long-term. What a great way to enter parenthood together!

-"My baby is wonderful!" A month after the birth, women who had a doula at their births were more likely to rate their baby as easy to comfort, easy to breastfeed, and of a sweet temperament. Doulas help set the scene for mothers & babies to fall wildly in love with each other!