What is a doula?

A doula is a companion during a significant life event. A birth doula in particular, is there to support families through pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period. A doula is not an ‘expert’ nor ‘medical’ role, instead a doula creates and holds space for the family - nurturing and empowering them to find their own answers to questions and to make their own confident and informed decisions. Practically speaking, a few examples of the kind of things you could expect from a doula include: supporting you to compile your birth preferences, helping you with breathing techniques in labour and listening to you talk about how you’re finding the first few days of parenthood. Ultimately a doula is there to support you and your wishes, so the service you receive will be shaped by your needs and preferences.

What are the benefits of having doula support?

Doula UK, the professional association for doulas, has reviewed the research into the impact of having doula support and summarised the benefits as:

• Shorter labours with fewer complications.

• Reduced requests for pain medication including epidural.

• Reduced likelihood of a caesarean birth or an assisted delivery.

• Higher likelihood of establishing and continuing breastfeeding.

• More positive feelings about a birth and postnatal experience.

• Reduced rate of induction of labour.

• Improvement of equity and culturally responsive care.

You can read further into the research on the Doula UK website here: https://doula.org.uk/research-papers 

Is it worth investing in doula support?

Whether to invest in doula support is a personal choice. 

It can feel like there is a long shopping list during pregnancy - pram, car seat, clothes etc. Given the benefits of doula support, found in the research to include shorter labours with fewer complications and more positive feelings about a birth, I’d encourage parents-to-be who can afford such support to consider its value. A family feeling nurtured and positive at the beginning of a new phase of their journey together is so important and doula support can contribute to that significantly.

For those people who would like doula support but can’t afford it, Doula UK has an Access Fund that enables the provision of free doula services to those experiencing ‘disadvantage or financial hardship’. Referrals are made by healthcare professionals, social workers and charities. You can find out more here: https://doula.org.uk/access-fund 

Why might I choose you as my birth doula?

Becoming a mother has been so deeply transformative for me. I am focussed everyday on being present and connected to my own daughter and family - and have also felt a deep calling into the service of other women. I will be the birth doula that you need me to be. Your wishes and needs will be at the heart of our relationship and I will support you in what you feel are the right, positive and informed choices for you. This relationship needs to feel right for you and I’d recommend speaking to at least a couple of doulas, to get a sense of who feels like the right fit.

Can I meet you before committing?

Of course! It’s really important for us to meet to find out about each other and feel comfortable and confident in the relationship. I’ll look forward to answering any questions you may have, plus I’ll have questions for you. I’d like to understand what you’re looking for from a doula, so that I can be confident that I am the right doula for you. Us doulas are a tight-knit bunch, so if you’re looking for something specific that I can’t support - I will do my best to introduce you to another doula who can. Having a baby is such a precious, intimate and treasured experience - it is so important that we feel comfortable together.