What is a Doula? 

Birth is not a medical event but has become one with the progress in medical science. Women and birthing people want to be more autonomy in birth and avoid high levels of medical intervention, and they hire a Doula to support them in this.
Doulas can help make pregnancy and childbirth the celebratory experience it is meant to be! 

Lots of women and birthing people automatically think they have to be in hospital to give birth. They don't realise this is not the case.
Lots of women also believe that they have to accept every suggested intervention or procedure when pregnant and during birth. This is not the case.

A Doula will help you to understand all of the implications and risks for any suggested interventions to help you to make an informed choice. Because whilst there may be some benefits for suggested interventions there will also be risks you may not be aware of that may not be properly explained to you. Having all the information helps you to make informed choices. 


Research shows that Doula's help you to have a positive birth experience;
 

• Reduce the need for medical interventions, C-section and other invasive procedures

• Reduce the needs for pain relief medications and epidural

• Reduced rate of induced labour

• Shorter labour and reduced risk of birth trauma

• Increased parental satisfaction with their birth experience

• Increased rate of initiating breastfeeding and successful breastfeeding at 6 weeks.

• Reduced risk of post-natal depression

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Being pregnant can be under lots of different circumstances. A woman may be pregnant but not in a relationship; your mother or sister may not be able to attend due to distance, or you may not want this. OR you may choose to have family and friends for practical and emotional support but want a Doula for specific birth expertise and support alongside family.
Or for whatever reason, your partner may not be able to be present at your birth.
 
As your Doula whilst the mother/birthing person is most important so too are their partners. Pregnancy and birth can be a scary time and birth partners may worry about the birth and how they can help their partner at this time. I am here for you too. 

I will meet with you and your partner prior to birth, and we will work together to prepare and plan for how you would like your birth to be. I will ensure you have all the information you need to make informed choices.

As we know birth doesn't always go according to your plan so i will help you to better understand all the options you may be offered.
We will talk a lot about Oxytocin- the birth hormone and with your permission I will guard this to help your labour progress.....

As your Doula I will provide help and suggestions on comfort measures such as breathing, relaxation, movement and positioning. I am trained in Rebozo......and Acupressure to help keep your comfortable, reduce pressure and discomfort in labour.
 
I will also support and encourage your partner to be as involved as much as they feel comfortable with.

My aim will be to help you to have a calm and informed birth.

Becoming a parent is amazing and overwhelming, heart bursting and life changing. I will help prepare you for this journey. I will feel privileged to share your precious moment in preparing for and attending your birth.

A Doula is like a Sherpa when climbing Mount Everest; an experienced person who knows the area and is familiar with the landscape, has been there many times before and speaks the native language. 
 
If a doula was a drug, it would be unethical not to use it. Dr. J.H.Kennell