Each year Doula UK conduct a survey of our members to find out the impact and benefit of doula support and to help us shape our organisation.
In 2020 a staggering 1,460 births were supported by a doula last year, 340 families were supported virtually and 1,186 families were supported postnatally. In fact, postnatal doulas clocked up an amazing 57,134 hours of support.
Doulas impacted breastfeeding / chest feeding rates too with 92% of birth clients breastfeeding their baby compared to the National rate of 81%. And an incredible 80% of postnatal clients were breastfeeding at six weeks compared to the National average of 24%.
We saw an increase in families choosing to give birth at home and this became the most common place of birth. 66% of births were spontaneous vaginal births.