Why consider employing a birth doula?
Midwifes are wonderful caring people but pressures within the modern NHS mean that they are usually caring 
for several labouring mums at once and cannot stay by your side throughout your labour. If your labour is long, you are likely to have several different midwifes looking after you as shifts change. Your doula, however, is by your side the whole time. Never leaving you alone. Explaining, encouraging and looking after just you.
A doula will help you and your partner make informed choices throughout labour.
Husbands and partners are often present and provide wonderful support for the labouring mum but studies have shown that the presence of a doula, in addition to the partner, is a hugely significant factor in the type of birth experience you have.
Many independent studies have shown that having a doula present during birth will reduce the likelihood of requiring a caesarean, an epidural, an episiotomy (cut) and also significantly reduces the length of labour.
Some statistics 
- Up to 50% shorter labours
- 50% less pain medication requested (including 6 x less epidurals)
- Up to 51% reduction in caesarean births
- 3rd less use of forceps
- Less postnatal depression
- Newborns breastfeed more easily
- Source: The Doula Book - Klaus, Kennell, Klaus 2002
