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About Doula's
Doula’s
give pre- and post-natal care on a full or part-time basis. During the birth, a doula will support and encourage the
new mother, acting as her companion and comforter. A recent report in the United States (Mothering The Mother by Kennel, Klaus and
Kennel) showed the presence of a doula could reduce the likelihood of caesareans, and the use of epidurals and forceps.
After the birth, the Doula's first priority is to insure that the new mother is rested, relaxed
and eats well. To assist her with breastfeeding and/or nurturing her baby, to help with siblings and take away some
of the stresses and strains of running a home.
We bring lots of love to the new family, and try to lighten the
load that new mum and dad initially feel.
As a postnatal Doula we are experienced and passionate about this special time. Let us
help your family get off to a great start.
Would
you like to have an empowered and positive birth with the help of a professional childbirth assistant?
A
trained labour companion can help you have a shorter, easier and healthier birth.
RESEARCH has shown that
having a Doula present at a birth;
• Shortens first-time labour by an average of 2 hrs
• Decreases the chance
of caesarean section by 50%
• Decreases the need for pain medication
• Helps
fathers participate with confidence
• Increases success in breastfeeding
( Findings from "Mothering
the Mother" Klaus, Kennell & Klaus, 1993)
Example's of what a postnatal Doula can offer:
- Provide hands-on education on infant and mother
care
- Help parents to get to know the abilities
and talents of their new baby
- Create a nurturing, restful atmosphere in which
parents may eat, shower and nap
- Shop for groceries and prepare meals
- Play with older children and offer suggestions
for how to integrate the new baby into the family
- Spend time with the baby, allowing parents to
cuddle and have quality time with older children or just be alone together
- Introduce parenting tips, helping parents to
learn skills that will enable them to cope with their new responsibilities
- Help and support with breastfeeding challenges
or postnatal mood disorders
- Make referrals to any local or informational
resources that the parents might need
- Work herself out of a job, by helping parents
to gather the skills and resources that they will need in the upcoming weeks and months
- Help to organize the nursery and home
- Take care of the baby's laundry
- Offer a listening, non-judgmental ear
The benefits go on...
Women
who have had doulas present at their births:
- Are less likely to have post natal depression.
- show higher self esteem about their labour
- are more confident of their ability to
birth their baby and care for it
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Doulas are still a relatively new phenomenon in Britain and
are not currently available on the NHS, but as maternity and post-natal services are stretched to breaking point in many parts
of Britain, maybe doula services could develop to fill the
gap in support and care of today's mothers.
Top
10 Reasons to Hire a Labour Doula
1. You want to give birth
normally, without the use of medication or unnecessary interventions.
2. You want someone who
is experienced and trained to help manage your labour pain.
3. You've heard about the reaserch
on Doula's and want the benefit of having one present.
4. You want someone knowledgeable
present at all times to ask questions and explain your options.
5. You want someone to
act as an advocate for your and your partner's wishes.
6. You've experienced
a traumatic or negative birth with prior children.
7. You're a single mother
or your partner is not available to attend the birth (for example in the military services).
8. You're
trying for a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean).
9. You want someone present
who can provide physical and emotional support, if the father cannot be present or participate for religious reasons.
10.
You want someone to help the father participate more fully in the birth, to take pictures or video and to deal with family and friends.
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