Tess Foster- Certified Birth Doula/DONA

20/04/2026

A 2025 study published in AJOG adds powerful, up-to-date data showing associations between doula care and improved maternal and newborn outcomes.

Key Maternal Outcomes:

More vaginal births after cesarean (VBAC): For every 100 patients who received doula care, there were 15 to 34 additional VBACs compared with those without doula care.

Higher postpartum follow-up attendance: 5 to 6 more per 100 received postpartum office visits.

Key Neonatal / Infant Outcomes

Increased exclusive breastfeeding rates: Babies whose families had doula support were more likely to breastfeed exclusively.

Fewer preterm births (and early preterm births): Doula-supported births showed a reduction in preterm birth rates.

In short, the study links doula care with improvements in birth outcomes — across birth mode (more VBACs), infant health (less prematurity), and early infant care (breastfeeding, postpartum follow-up).

Read more: https://internationaldoulainstitute.com/2025/11/evidence-for-doulas-new-ajog-study-finds-doulas-improve-outcomes/

09/04/2026

Updated recommendations for mastitis care, explained simply.

27/03/2026

23/03/2026

Celebrating World Doula Week!

19/03/2026

Reminder, you can ALWAYS ask questions.

Unlike the ridiculous legal fight of a Florida woman, most facilities will accept your autonomy - even if there's some pushback.

Discussion and respect is how we have safe birth without unnecessary trauma. Doctors, midwives, nurses who practice with respect will have these conversations with you to help you make informed decisions and understand if there's a true medical concern.

What questions did you ask in labor?

12/03/2026

Beautiful Mamas, if you are looking for Doula support, please contact me before requesting a referral!

24/01/2026

Revised recommendations for mastitis.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1cXR1YNA7M/?mibextid=WC7FNe

21/11/2025

A little humor with a lot of truth for this Friday morning.

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1GwHMjgRfd/?mibextid=KsPBc6&startTimeMs=3000

05/11/2025

30/10/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/1DCKRHBPsR/?mibextid=WC7FNe

23/10/2025

The 2025 Cochrane review on immediate and early skin-to-skin contact after birth highlights that further randomized controlled trials comparing skin-to-skin contact with ‘usual care’ are no longer ethical.

The findings show there is now enough evidence to make immediate skin-to-skin contact after birth the global standard of care, and as WHO already recommends skin-to-skin the standard of care, the authors argue that randomizing the separation of mother and newborn may no longer be justifiable.

Read more:
https://centerforbreastfeeding.org/cochrane-review-2025

29/09/2025

This. Exactly. Having someone who will whisper strength into your ears and care for your body while you labor can make all the difference.

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/19ZbGepmgj/?mibextid=WC7FNe