DOULA SERVICES

The word, "doula," comes from the Greek word for the most important female slave or servant in an ancient Greek household, the woman who probably helped the lady of the house through her childbearing. The word has come to refer to "a woman experienced in childbirth who provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to the mother before, during and just after childbirth." (Klaus, Kennell and Klaus, Mothering the Mother)

A doula..

• Recognises birth as a key life experience that the mother will remember all her life
• Understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a woman in labour
• Assists the woman and her partner in preparing for and carrying out their plans for the birth
• Stays by the side of the labouring woman throughout the entire labour
• Provides emotional support, physical comfort measures, an objective viewpoint and assistance to the woman in getting the information she needs to make good decisions.
• Facilitates communication between the laboring woman, her partner and clinical careproviders
• Perceives her role as one who nutures and protects the woman's memory of her birth experience.

The acceptance of doulas in maternity care is growing rapidly with the recognition of their important contribution to the improved physical outcomes and emotional well-being of mothers and infants.

Advantages of using a doula

There has been a lot of research on the impact that having a doula has on a woman. Findings suggest that introducing a doula during labour may improve the bond between the mother and infant and decreases the incidence of complications. There are reports that breastfeeding is also enhanced. Women who have a doula express greater satisfaction with their birth experiences and even experience improvement in their self-esteem.

Cost

Our doula service starts off with at least one prenatal meeting with the parents to establish a relationship and will then maintain telephone contact leading up to the birth. The doula arrives when labour begins and stays with the woman until after the birth. We also include a postpartum meeting to discuss the birth. We charge a flat fee of €950, which includes two prenatal visits, labour support, and a postpartum visit.

You also have the option of using these other doula services:

• Birth consultation, discussing your options for birth such as where you want your baby to be born and services available to you
• Birth plan consultation, discussing your individual birth plan in preparation for your hospital/midwife visit
• Private ante natal classes for both partners
• Labour support at home, for those who wish to have a doula with them at home before they go into hospital with their partner

Click here to read a letter to Lisa, our Doula, from Melissa and Jim, who gave birth to Baby Robyn on Christmas Day, with Lisa by their side.

Click here to read a letter to Lisa, from Anne and Marc, who gave birth to Baby Georgie.

Please mail info@the-elbowroom.com or call 01-6779859 for costs for these additional services.