Doula

What is a Doula?

A doula is a woman experienced and knowledgeable in pregnancy and childbirth, who provides physical and emotional support for women and couples during pregnancy, labour and birth, greatly in- creasing the possibility of a positive birth and bonding experience. A doula does not offer medical advice, rather, her role compliments the other professionals involved in a pregnant woman’s overall care.

What Does a Doula Do?
Before the baby arrives: A doula meets with the mother and her partner several times during pregnancy. During the meetings they look at:

• birth plans
  
• birth preparation
  
• hopes and fears
  
• previous labour and births

One of the main aims of these meetings is to get to know one another and establish a trusting relationship in preparation for labour.

During Labour and Birth:
The doula is on call 24/7 two weeks before the baby is due, and up until the baby comes. She is there during labour (whether at home or hospital) and at the birth of your baby. Due to previous meetings, the Doula is able to support both of you, both mother and father, in a fully personal way.

After your Baby has Arrived:
The Doula and parents meet after the birth for much talk and dissection! On-going and breast-feeding support can also be arranged

“I was feeling apprehensive about supporting my wife through the labour. But Emily’s experience, calmness and direction let us both actually enjoy the birth of our daughter.”
- (I. McG. Doula Dad)

Women who had continues labour support had a 60%
decrease in epidural rate, 30% decrease in caesarean birth
and experienced a 25% shorter labour.
(The Cochrane Library, Issue 32004)