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

by Phyllis H. Klaus, Marshall H. Klaus, John H. Kennell

Book Overview

A doula is an experienced labor companion who provides continuous emotional support and assistance before, during, and after birth. Through research with over 2,000 women, the authors show that the presence of a doula shortens labor by an average of two hours, decreases cesarean sections by over 50%, decreases the need for pain medication, helps fathers participate, and more.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0201632721
• ISBN13: 9780201632729
• Release Date: March 1993
• Publisher: Da Capo Lifelong Books
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 0.96 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 8.1" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Mother's-to-be please take a look!

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.

The most up to date information about Doulas.

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.

A wonderful overview of how a doula can help you

"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.

it sure works

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