Doula Services
Congratulations on your pregnancy, the journey to motherhood is an exciting adventure.
Why use a Doula?
To nurture and be nurtured is a beautiful gift to give and receive. For centuries, women have supported women through pregnancy, birth, and following birth; Mothers and families alike have benefited from a Doula’s presence.
Pregnancy, birth and motherhood are very personal experiences, I think it is very important to be aware of the options available and to make the best choices and informed decisions in your birth preparation. These choices can have a great impact on you both physically and psychologically; I understand that birthing your child is a sacred memory and preparation is the key in understanding your individual needs.
Every woman should feel confident in her birth choices and as a Doula I am there to support the birthing mother and father antenatally and postnatally.
As a birth and postnatal Doula I am naturally compassionate and can provide information, emotional support and practical support to you and your partner during this transitional phase.
Nurturing Birth, carried out a large survey of doulas working in the UK in 2008. Here are some of the results. The full results and conclusions were published in MIDIRS Midwifery Digest June 2009.
165 surveys were returned and helped us get information from 735 births. All births were in the UK in 2008.
48% Primiparous women (first time mums)
45% Natural births (no induction, medicated pain relief, augmentation and instrumental deliveries)
15% Caesarean section (versus 24.3% nationally)
20% Epidurals (versus over 30% nationally)
10% Inductions (versus 20% nationally)
70% Vaginal birth after a caesarean section success rate
23% Labour in a pool
19% Home births (no transfer)
86% Breastfed at birth (versus 76% nationally)
11% Doula was single birth partner
The survey also included data from postnatal doulas:
88% of women who had a postnatal doula were still breastfeeding at 6 weeks
67% were still breastfeeding at 6 months
This compares with 21% at six weeks and 7% at three months according to the Infant Feeding Survey of 2005 (Bolling et al 2007).
Goedkoop V. MIDIRS Midwifery Digest, vol 19, no 2, June 2009, pp 217-218
Global research has shown that having a Doula alongside you during the birth process can lead to:
50% reduction of caesarean rate
25% shorter labour
60% reduction in epidural request
30% reduction in analgesia used
40% reduction in forceps delivery
Findings from “Mothering the Mother” Klaus, Kennell & Klaus, 1998
Birth Doula
My birth package includes the following:
- Initial free consultation
- Information and contacts pack
- At least two antenatal visits
- 24hr telephone and e-mail availability
- On-call from 10 days before your due date and 14 days after
- Supporting you from the early stages of labour until you’re settled with your new born baby
- One postnatal visit
Postnatal Doula
(available Monday to Friday, between 10am and 4pm)
As a post natal Doula I can provide flexible in-home care and support for mothers with newborns. I offer an empathetic and non-judgemental approach helping emotionally and practically, including help with household tasks, daily routines, food shopping and errands.
Giving birth and becomming a new mum is a big change and can be tough at times, so I call upon my various skills and experiences in Hypnobirthing, councelling, Breathe to a Better Birth coaching, meditation guide and mother to adapt my approach depending on the type of support that is demanded of me. Talking often helps you to put everything into perspective and for it to become more manageable.
Please feel free to contact me if you wish to discuss this service, either by email gwendoline@naturnalinstinct.com
Member of Doula UK
Currently undergoing Doula UK official recognition process
Member of Nurturing Birth
Member of Herts Doulas
Areas covered – Herts, Beds, Bucks and London
Fully Insured Doula, Meditation Guide, Breathwork Coach, Yoga Instructor
Up to date CRB checked
