Mothers who have a doula present rate the birth as less difficult and painful than women not supported by a doula.
Scott, Klauss and Klaus: Journal of Women's Health, December 1999
Scott, Klauss and Klaus: Journal of Women's Health, December 1999
Why do you need a doula?
Giving birth is a transformative and enlightening experience. Having someone with you who believes in your innate ability to birth your baby will give you the greatest opportunity to experience childbirth as an empowering and positive life event. In a nurturing environment you will be surprised by your capacity for endurance.
Unless you employ an independent midwife, you are unlikely to have the same midwife throughout the labour and birth. Midwives often have more than one woman under their care and have a host of other responsibilities that prevent them being present all the time. And when the midwife is there, she is often busy monitoring the labour and taking notes. Even though she may want to, your midwife simply doesn't have the time to offer the nurturing presence you need.
This is where the doula comes in. Unlike a midwife, I do not use clinical skills, nor offer medical advice. I am caring and compassionate, knowledgeable about birthing matters and will explore your options with you. I don't give advice, or make decisions for you, but will ensure that your voice is heard.
I stay with you throughout the labour and birth. While medical staff come and go, I remain a constant presence. When the intensity of labour increases, I will be there to provide comfort, reassurance and confidence.
What does a birth doula do?
My most important role is a nurturing presence. At times I will remain quietly in the background, sometimes I will leave the room to allow the parents to have quiet and intimate moments together. As the labour unfolds and intensifies I will be there to provide a constant presence and reassurance that all is well.
We will have two antenatal sessions, each lasting at least two hours. These will be tailored to your needs and form the basis for the labour and birth. I will teach you about birth physiology and how to provide the optimum birthing environment. We will formulate an individual birth plan focusing on what is most important for you. I will lend you appropriate books, videos and dvds on birth and provide you with up-to-date information that is pertinent to you and your needs.
When you go into labour you can call as soon as you feel you want someone to be with you, at any time of the day or night, at home or in hospital. I will stay with you for as long as it takes. After the birth I remain until you and the baby are settled but, always mindful of the need for you and the father to have private time with the baby to get to know each other, I won't outstay my welcome. I will then visit you after a few days to talk through the birth and make sure you, the baby and the rest of the family are all doing well.
Giving birth is a transformative and enlightening experience. Having someone with you who believes in your innate ability to birth your baby will give you the greatest opportunity to experience childbirth as an empowering and positive life event. In a nurturing environment you will be surprised by your capacity for endurance.
Unless you employ an independent midwife, you are unlikely to have the same midwife throughout the labour and birth. Midwives often have more than one woman under their care and have a host of other responsibilities that prevent them being present all the time. And when the midwife is there, she is often busy monitoring the labour and taking notes. Even though she may want to, your midwife simply doesn't have the time to offer the nurturing presence you need.
This is where the doula comes in. Unlike a midwife, I do not use clinical skills, nor offer medical advice. I am caring and compassionate, knowledgeable about birthing matters and will explore your options with you. I don't give advice, or make decisions for you, but will ensure that your voice is heard.
I stay with you throughout the labour and birth. While medical staff come and go, I remain a constant presence. When the intensity of labour increases, I will be there to provide comfort, reassurance and confidence.
What does a birth doula do?
My most important role is a nurturing presence. At times I will remain quietly in the background, sometimes I will leave the room to allow the parents to have quiet and intimate moments together. As the labour unfolds and intensifies I will be there to provide a constant presence and reassurance that all is well.
We will have two antenatal sessions, each lasting at least two hours. These will be tailored to your needs and form the basis for the labour and birth. I will teach you about birth physiology and how to provide the optimum birthing environment. We will formulate an individual birth plan focusing on what is most important for you. I will lend you appropriate books, videos and dvds on birth and provide you with up-to-date information that is pertinent to you and your needs.
When you go into labour you can call as soon as you feel you want someone to be with you, at any time of the day or night, at home or in hospital. I will stay with you for as long as it takes. After the birth I remain until you and the baby are settled but, always mindful of the need for you and the father to have private time with the baby to get to know each other, I won't outstay my welcome. I will then visit you after a few days to talk through the birth and make sure you, the baby and the rest of the family are all doing well.