What is a doula?

A doula is kind of like a personal trainer for childbirth. Doulas are trained in childbirth and provide physical, emotional and educational support to women and their families in pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period. They don't perform any clinical tasks (we leave that for your health care provider)! 

As a doula, I would meet with you a couple of times before your baby is due and continue to support you through the birth, wherever that may be, and through to the postnatal period. During the birth I would come to you whenever you call me and stay by your side throughout your labour and until after you and your baby are settled. As part of the birth and postnatal packages I am also available to answer all your questions by phone call, text message and email. 

Doulas will:

• Provide you with continuous support throughout labour;

• Provide comfort measures throughout labour

• Support you in your birthing choices

• Teach you how to advocate for yourself

• Provide you with evidence-based information and resources to help you in the decision making process.

• Support your partner to support you in whatever way they/you would like them to.

Doulas won’t:

• Perform clinical tasks

• Advocate for you

• Give medical advice

What are some of the benefits or hiring a doula?

• You have a trained professional available to support you and your partner emotionally, physically and educationally.

• You have access to unbiassed and up to date information about birth and parenting

• You have an extra set of hands so your partner can take a break, have a nap or make something to eat.

A recent Cochrane Review, Continuous Support for Women During Childbirth, showed a very high number of positive birth outcomes when a doula was present. These included:

• A reduction in the chance of a woman having a caesarean section

• A reduction in the need for forceps or vacuum to deliver the baby

• A reduction in the use of medications to speed up labour

• A reduction in the use of pain medications in labour

And most importantly,

• A reduction in the rate of women rating their childbirth experience negatively.

What is a postpartum doula?

My role as a postpartum doula varies and is dependent on the needs of each individual client. Some of the ways a postpartum doula can support you is through:

Education- teaching you about postpartum recovery (physical and emotional), nutrition, lactation and newborn care as well as providing contacts for other postpartum services and health care professionals when needed.

Physical support- looking after your baby while you attend to self care, preparing meals and snacks for you, completing light household chores, running errands, entertaining an older sibling or possibly even walking the dog;

Emotional support- non-judgemental emotional support including birth debriefing, a confidant to discuss the challenges that go hand in hand with being a new parent, support in communicating with a spouse;

Organisational support: helping you prepare for bringing your baby home, setting up a safe sleep space, setting up a feeding space, setting up a changing space, meal planning and general household organisation.