Dr. Kennell was one of the very first scientists to research and investigate the benefits of continuous labor support for birthing women, and along with Dr. Klaus, Penny Simkin, Annie Kennedy and Phyllis Klaus, founded Doulas of North America, which later became DONA International, a well-respected doula organization committed to training both birth and postpartum doulas and providing a doula for every woman who wants one.
Some pretty convincing statistics. Have questions? Please let me know!
Kennell, J., Klaus, M., McGrath, S., Robertson, S., & Hinkley, C. (1991). Continuous emotional support during labor in a US hospital. JAMA: the Journal of the American Medical Association, 265(17), 2197-2201.
New mothers need to mother. Get to know their baby. Do nothing but focus on getting to know this miraculous little being relying on them for warmth, food, and nurturing and let the oxytocin (love hormone) flow back and forth as it is meant to do biologically. In turn, new mothers need to BE mothered! Postpartum doulas help take away the worry about everything else, and create a calm, relaxed atmosphere.