In previous generations your immediate family, neighbours and elders from the local community would have provided you with a network of awesome wise women.  They would have supported you with every aspect of pregnancy, birth and postpartum.   A doula is a role of continuous support, which is rare for women to receive in our current maternity system.

 

Nowadays, it is really common for women to live far away from their families, not know their neighbours, and not see the same midwife twice during their ante- and post-partum care. Doulas help to fill that gap by being a familiar and experienced face for you, and also support you unconditionally when you might be faced with questions or lack of support by those around you - whether that be friends, family or medical professionals.

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A birth doula will discover what you want from your birth, and help you to (hopefully) achieve it by offering suggestions, helping to write birth plans, signposting to sources of information or specialists. She will support you in your choices and stand by them if others are questioning why. She is employed by you and is not associated with the hospital at all. She doesn't offer any clinical care, and won't give you advice or tell you what to do.

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What is life like when you hire a birth doula?

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I work with you during pregnancy to discuss your hope and fears about your upcoming birth, write your birth plan with you, talk about the postnatal period and discuss infant feeding methods.We get to know each other really well and you can contact me any time to ask questions.  Usually this will happen in person during one or more visits at your home, but can also happen via electronic means.

 

Whatever you choose, we remain in regular contact and if there are any developments during the pregnancy which may have bearing on the birth then we would talk about them together.  There will be no judgement from me regarding how you choose to birth or where you choose to birth you baby, what matters is that you feel heard and supported for the choices that YOU make about YOUR body, YOUR birth and YOUR baby.

 

I typically go on-call when you are 38 weeks gestation. However, I can go on call earlier or later if your history leads us to believe this would be a good idea. I am available for you to contact 24/7 and I stay on-call until you have given birth.  I I will stay with you post birth until you, your birth partner and your new baby are settled.  I will then be available postnatally up to 6 weeks via text or email, or you may want to book me for postnatal support, for which I offer several packages or we can create something bespoke for you and your family.