Doulas aim to keep continuously up to date on current birth, pregnancy & newborn care issues.
Birth Doula
We are there to fill a role alongside your midwife & doctor in a non-clinical role, there to listen, guide, give confidence & not judge.
Before labour starts we would hope to have one or two meetings to discuss your wants, needs & maybe fears. To understand what you hope for from your doula too. Helping you write your birth preferences, or simply writing down your expectations for all eventualities.
Then she would be on call for your labour to start (typically around 38 weeks or as discussed).
During labour doulas offer continuous support throughout, from start to finish. Being nurturing & reassuring throughout.
Helping with suggestions on comfort, such as breathing, relaxation, movement & positioning. Explaining any medical terms if needed. Supporting couples to find the balanced information, so to make informed decisions about their care.
After baby is here doulas will settle you in, make sure you & baby are comfortable. We then usually arrange a follow up with a postnatal visit around a week later, sometimes coupled with a postnatal doula service.
Postnatal Doula
Early Days Support, postnatal doulas are there to help a new family in those first days/weeks after bringing home baby. This can be your birth doula or a different postnatal doula.
The services a doula provides vary according to the needs of the women, couple & family. We support families who have all different kinds of births make a wide range of parenting choices.
Doulas can help postnatal by providing flexible, emotional support & practical information for mothers & their families in their own homes.
Some new mums can feel a lack of support if far away from family or a good support network. A postnatal doula can advise on their recovery & adjustment of the new family. Support for feeding & bonding, infant soothing & basic newborn care. Many families also have doulas for overnight assistance.
Postnatal doulas also help with the everyday chores, aspects such as household & sibling care. To help ease the transition into the family for new & experienced parents alike. If wanted information & tips for partner on how they can best support feeding.
You may simply just need some company after your partner returns to work.
We can help sift through all the information & advise & signpost to the right places if needed. We can also look to find any local support or informational groups to help set your “village” up.
Guiding you to find what’s right for you & baby at the time.
“A doula is by your side & on your side.”
Mentored Doulas
A Mentored Doula has completed a Doula UK approved Preparation Course and is involved in Doula UK’s Recognition Process. This means that they have a Mentor providing support and supervision within a framework for reflective practice until they have gained sufficient experience to become a Recognised Doula. A Mentored Doula’s fees reflect their previous and current experience, their expenses and the going rate in their area.
Recognised Doulas
A Recognised Doula has been evaluated by a Doula UK Doula Mentor at the end of the Recognition Process, as having sufficient experience to practise without on-going mentoring. Doula UK nevertheless continues to provide support for all its members.
Credit: Doula UK