What is a Doula?
Doulas are women specially trained to give emotional and practical support during pregnancy, labour, birth and the postnatal period. This support has been shown to lead to more satisfying and empowered experiences, and a decrease in interventions, caesarean sections, postnatal depression and an increase in breastfeeding success.
More and more women and couples are choosing to have doula support.
What does a Doula do
As a doula I will assist you and your partner in achieving your desired birth experience and prepare you for your new arrival. I am there to make you aware of your options available and create your own informed birth choices, listen to your concerns, as well as providing a calm and reassuring presence for you and your partner through birth. My attitude is non-judgemental, I am there to support you at your birth. Every birth is different, every woman is unique and my role is to support you personally.
Research
Medical research has shown time and again the importance of emotional support during labour and birth to enhance our experience of birth as well as positively influence the birth outcome and support the bonding process. Nevertheless, the great technological advances in the obstetric field in the last century have mainly focused on the physical safety and pain relief of the labouring woman, leaving her, the baby and father often with very little emotional support.
Research has shown that having a doula present at a birth :
* Shortens first-time labour by an average of 2 hours
* Decreases the chance of caesarean section by 50%
* Decreases the need for pain medication
* Helps fathers participate with confidence
* Increases success in breast-feeding
(Findings taken from "Mothering the Mother" by Klaus, Kennell & Klaus, 1993)
SOUL STRENGTH
