"Thank you again for being our birth doula. It is a very special memory for me."
So what do you get with doula support? The answer is as simple as whatever you need!
Antenatally we come along and get to know you and give you a chance to get to know us. This is also an opportunity to do some birth preparation, find out your needs and wants and ideas for birth and sometimes some information sharing. If appropriate we can accompany you to meetings with health care professionals, help with birth plans and perhaps connect you with other services you may find useful.
During the birth we come along at whatever point you would like us to and support you in whatever way seems needed. This may mean helping with other children, helping negotiate within the NHS system, massage, filling birth pools or simply sleeping in another room until needed. People often choose doula support so they already know at least one of the people that will support them during their birth and that this person will be there throughout.
Postnatally we will visit a couple of times to check in with how you feel the birth went and give you any support you might need with feeding and postnatal recovery. You may also choose more postnatal support which is determined according to your need - a common pattern would be a couple of hours a few times a week for a few months. During our visits we can cook, support breastfeeding, listen, clear up, play with toddlers and sometimes watch out for baby whilst you rest - amongst a variety of other things.
Essentially we are there to support and protect a woman's own amazing ability to grow, birth and care for her baby.