Doula Services

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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.

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. To discuss fee’s with our doulas please get in touch. The service includes which includes two prenatal visits, labour support, and a postpartum visit.