Engaging Birth Doula

WHAT IS A DOULA?

A Doula is a non-medically trained birth attendant, focussed on supporting the Mother through pregnancy, labour/birth and the postnatal period.

A Doula’s support can take many different forms. It is educational and holistic in nature and relies on the tools (internal and external) the Mother will utilise during labour and birth. It often has strong spiritual ties. Doula support is focussed on the intentions a couple have for the birth of their baby and what matters most to them, as they welcome their precious new life into this world.

Engaging Birth Doula Service provides continuous support personalised to the client’s individual needs and wants. A Doula is a present witness to the journey that is pregnancy, labour and birth. This presence can be in the form of quiet observation, gentle support, firm reassurance and even strong encouragement (if required!).

In conjunction with the very practical support offered by a Doula (think wet washers, drink fetching, hand holding, brow wiping, bath filling, etc.) an integral aspect of Doula support is to educate couples throughout the journey on everything from pregnancy to labour to birth and then finally, new born care.

Topics generally covered include but are not limited to:

Conscious pregnancy, birthing and parenting
The physiology of pregnancy and birth
Hormones involved throughout
Labour choices and preferences
Birth location choices/preferences/limitations
Labour and birth support tools
Massage techniques
Identification of support people and roles (if desired)
Education on Optimal Foetal Positioning (OFP)
Pain management options or preferences
Drug management options or preferences
Identification and solution of fears, obstacles, barriers to birthing
Relaxation, visualisation and affirmations
Post-natal support and referrals
Labour and birth debriefing and closure

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Many studies have shown that the addition of a doula to a woman’s birth team can benefit the mother in numerous ways.

Women who had continuous support, especially from a doula, were more likely to have spontaneous vaginal births and less likely to have any pain medication, epidurals vacuum or forceps-assisted births, C-sections, or negative feelings about childbirth.

Other benefits include:

Increased chance of a positive childbirth experience
higher breastfeeding success rate
better maternal self esteem
lower blood pressure during labour
less pain experienced

If interventions are medically necessary, a I can help support you emotionally so you can have a positive birth experience despite changes in your birth plan. I can also find ways to make medical input more natural in the midst of interventions.

Doula's do not advocate. Doula's teach and empower you to advocate for yourself. They will help you prepare for birth and ask the right questions during your birth. Nothing is more empowering then making informed choices for your family.