Karen Parmett Doula
“How a woman gives birth matters–to her baby’s long-term health, to her family (including her relationship with her partner), and to her mental and physical health and her self-confidence and self-esteem as a woman and a mother”
- Penny Simkin
Why Doulas Are Important
The continuous labor support of a doula has been shown to dramatically improve birth outcomes for mothers and babies. Studies have shown that having a doula decreases overall cesarean rates by 50% and the total length of labor by 25%.
Birthing people supported by doulas are two times less likely to have a complication during birth that involved either themselves or their baby and significantly more likely to breastfeed.
"Many studies show that continuous support benefits laboring women, especially when the support begins in early labor and is given by someone whose only role is to provide it. Benefits include the following: shorter labors, with less need for medication to speed up labor, more spontaneous vaginal births (that is, births that don’t require forceps, vacuum extraction, or cesarean delivery, fewer requests for pain medications, and less dissatisfaction with birth experiences. " - Penny Simkin
Testimonials
Tess
“Having our doula Karen present throughout my labor gave me the confidence to labor at home longer than I may have without her. The physical and emotional support, and tools she gave us really helped with my overall comfort and confidence. Having Karen there for consistent support made an unexpected change of plans manageable and an ultimately positive experience for us”
Matt