Mothering the Mother: How a Doula Can Help You Have a Shorter, Easier, and Healthier Birth

any woman or couple who is expecting a baby should take the time to read this wonderful book, then check out the opportunities for labor assistance in their area. What a difference it can make in having a birth experience that you will look back on fondly.

I am a doula and the information that is contained in this book is informative and helps our clients learn about what we can and cannot do to help them. I feel that every mother should have a doula. Not because I am a Doula, but because I had a Doula myself. This book will let couples make informed decisions about having a doula at their birth.

"Doula is a Greek word referring to an experienced woman who helps other women. The word has now come to mean a woman experienced in childbirth who provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to the mother before, during, and just after childbirth." That's how the authors of "Mothering the Mother" define a doula. Sound wonderful? After reading the book, you'll think so. "Mothering the Mother," written by childbirth authorities Marshall H. Klaus, M.D., John H. Kennell, M.D., (co-authors of "Parent-Infant Bonding") and Phyllis H. Klaus, M.Ed, C.S.W., is fascinating reading. The book explains the role of the doula, how she can support the mother and father during birth, and cites studies that document how birth with a doula improves outcomes in areas such as length of labor, rates of vaginal deliveries, the use of medications and other interventions. According to the authors, doulas shorten first-time labors by an average of two hours, decrease the chance of Cesarean section deliveries by 50 percent, decrease the need for pain medications, help fathers participate in the birth with confidence, increase success in breast-feeding. "Mothering the Mother" follows the actual course of birth in various settings and includes photos of birthing women being assisted by fathers and doulas. The book shows readers how to achieve the benefits of having a doula, and how to find and evaluate a doula.

Inspired me to hire a doula/labor assistant- and it was definitely worth it. Find out what most of womankind throughout history has known about support in labor, and why you should rely on someone other than just your partner. He has a different role, learn what the role of a doula is