What is a doula?

Doulas provide continuous support to women and families and they go through pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period. Offering non-judgemental, nurturing care through practical, emotional and informational support.

There is evidence to show that having a doula can mean: Reduced risk of Caesarean birth, Reduced risk of instrumental birth, Reduced need for painkillers or epidural during birth, Reduced rate of induction of labour, Shorter labour, Increased parental satisfaction with the birth experience, Increased likelihood of initiating breastfeeding, Increased likelihood of successfully establishing breastfeeding & breastfeeding at 6 week, Lower incidence of depressive symptomatology, Improve equity and provide culturally responsive care, Information taken from www.doula.org.uk

A doula can support people through any type of birth, whether they plan to birth their baby at home, in hospital or a birth centre. They can support physiological births, inductions, assisted births and caesarean births.

No. Doulas are not medically trained and do not provide any medical or clinical intervention. A doula is there as an additional birth partner, providing practical, emotional and informational support based on up to date evidence.

A postnatal doula can provide practical, emotional and informational support during the first few weeks/months following birth by: - carrying out household tasks, - preparing nutritious meals and snacks, - Being a listening ear, - Supporting infant feeding, - Providing information about newborn care, - Signposting to other services, - Caring for baby whilst parents rest, - Support healing and recovering post birth,

I believe all women and families should be able to have access to doula support. If you are finding cost is an issue, please do get in touch and we can discuss options of payment plans and find a way that can work for you. I offer gift vouchers, which friends and family could purchase as part of a new baby gift. Doula Uk have an access fund for vulnerable women who are in need for additional support, this is at no cost. Find out more here.