Doula – pregnancy, birth & the early days

I graduated as a Developing Doulas​ doula in 2017 . This means that I have completed the course with Developing Doulas and my post course work. I am nowfollowing the Doula UK mentoring and recognition process, working with the support and guidance of an experienced doula. The aim of this process is to aid me in my progression towards being the best doula I can be.

As a doula my role is not to tell you what decisions to make but to support you in understanding the options available to you on your journey, enabling you to discover the path that is right for you and support you in building the skills you need.

My goal is to nurture parents and families through the transition to parenthood and empower them to be responsive to each other, and confident in their choices. 


How can I support you?

Pregnancy

Do you feel like you would like more individualised support preparing for the birth of your baby?

I can help with bespoke birth and parenting preparation. 

Covering aspects such as labour and strategies to support yourself or your partner, what to expect through labour and birth, your birth plans and preferences, meeting your baby and getting to know them, the early days of parenting, normal newborn behaviour and what it means, supporting yourself and looking after yourself in the postnatal period.

Antenatal support is priced from £20 per hour.

Birth

I can support you throughout your labour and the birth of your baby.

Offering support alongside any other birth partners and your healthcare providers.

Birth support can packages include antenatal birth preparation, getting to know each other sessions, on call support for 4 weeks around your estimated due date, support through labour and the birth of your baby and postnatal support. Birth support is available for all births.

I will be there to provide emotional, practical and evidence based informational support for you.

Birth support packages start from £500.


The early days

The postnatal period is a time of change and adjustment, and sometimes you may feel you need a little more support.

Practical, emotional and non judgemental support can be especially useful in the 4th trimester when you and your baby are just getting used to each other.

As your doula I can be on hand to support you in your transition whether it’s your first baby or fifth, providing both practical and emotional support to you to enable you to be the parent you want to be, supporting you and your family just when you need it.

Postnatal support is priced from £20 per hour

There is evidence to show that having a doula can mean:

  • Reduced risk of Caesarean birth † *.
  • Reduced risk of instrumental birth † *.
  • Reduced need for painkillers or epidural during birth † *.
  • Reduced rate of induction of labour † *.
  • Shorter labour †.
  • Increased parental satisfaction with the birth experience †.
  • Increased likelihood of initiating breastfeeding *.
  • Increased likelihood of successfully establishing breastfeeding & breastfeeding at 6 weeks *.
  • Improve equity and provide culturally responsive care #.
  • Lower incidence of depressive symptomatology †.
* Sophie Brigstocke (2014) A survey of doula-supported births in 2013 in the UK; MIDRS 24:2 2014
† Hodnett, gates, Hofmeyr, Sakala (2011) Continuous support for women during childbirth. Cochrane Database Syst Rev.
# Bohren, Berger, Munthe-Kaas, Tunçalp (2019) Perceptions and experiences of labour companionship: a qualitative evidence synthesis
Evidence in support of doulas

I don’t believe that finance should be a barrier to getting the support you need. I offer flexible payment terms, skills swaps and have some discounts available, please get in touch to find out more.Email me on   D@DoulaD.co.uk or call on 07854535555