What Is a Birth Doula and Do You Need One?
One question that I am regularly asked is, what is a doula? And what exactly is it that you do at a birth?
Doula is a strange word perhaps in a world that expects only obstetricians and midwives to support women in birth.
As a birth doula I am a non-medical support person, there solely for the mother and birth partner in the lead up to birth, during the labour and postnatally. I am hired by you and I work only for you - not the NHS or the hospital.
The main role of a birth doula is to help the mother feel safe and supported. We bring continuity into a landscape where that can feel rare. And of course as we know from studies done continuity brings so many benefits in physical and mental health for both the mother, the baby and her birth partner.
A doula is most commonly not a trained medical professional, although many midwives can and do offer doula services, they are there in a support role. Ensuring that one other familiar person holds the space for the birthing mother and helps to make her feel safe and heard.
How can this look? Well, it can range from everything from finding and offering ice-chips, to ensuring that the mother fully understands the many birth options available to her. As a doula I can advocate for the mother, support her decisions, keep her on track during the birth process and know her well enough to aid in any changes in direction. I can supply hip squeezes and jiggles, cold flannels, essential oils, honey or chocolate for energy as well as reminding women to drink water and have a pee.
A doula can be the most powerful cheering team in the room and equally the calm in the storm. We can take photos on your smartphones throughout the birth and many also help with breastfeeding and advice post birth. A postnatal doula will even help with cooking and household chores for your start of life as a family.
Many are familiar with hypnobirthing or mindful birth techniques but perhaps our greatest skills come in being able to negotiate hospital policies and diffuse any moments of tension. My favourite story is of one doula passing around biscuits to reduce tension when mum felt that the midwife was asking too much, and the midwife felt that mum was not listening.
Doulas range in price from students just starting out for a few hundred pounds up to £1000- £3000, it really depends upon experience, location and the package offered. However, nearly all doulas offer terms of payment to make them more accessible for all women. For example I can take payment using PayPal pay in 3 to help spread the cost out.
In my humble view however, a birth or postnatal doula can be worth their weight in gold. 💗
For further information you can visit Doula UK or Birth Bliss Doulas in the UK or Dona International globally.
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