Throughout history, women have supported one another through birth.
In contemporary settings, a doula offers emotional and physical support during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum. Research indicates that women who have a doula tend to view their birth experience more positively, experience lower levels of stress and anxiety, perceive less pain, and undergo fewer interventions during labor.
Doulas have been shown to significantly enhance both the physical and emotional outcomes of women’s birth and postpartum experiences.
Historically, women supported each other through pregnancy and labor, but modern childbirth has become increasingly medicalized, and we’ve lost some of those vital personal connections.
A doula can offer valuable support throughout your pregnancy, be present during labor, and visit you at home after delivery to help you enjoy a smooth transition into the post-birth period.
A birth Doula can:
Educate you during your pregnancy about your changing body and your options during pregnancy and labour
Work through any anxieties or fears you may be experiencing surrounding birth and parenthood
Educate and refer you to complimentary services e.g. acupuncture, naturopathy, clinical pilates, yoga etc.
Educate you and your partner about optimal positions for pregnancy and labour and pain management techniques
Attend your labour to provide you and your partner with extra support and remind you of your birth preferences
A Post Partum Doula can:
Attend your home in the days after your birth to educate you on feeding, swaddling and settling techniques
Debrief your birth experience
Provide you and your family with nutritious home cooked snacks and meals
Perform light household duties such as laundry, tidying, walking the dog - whatever you need to feel relaxed and enjoy your postpartum period!
Return if your partner has returned to work and you need a little bit of extra help
Play with or entertain older children while you enjoy time with your newborn
Set up a bath/foot bath and cup of tea so you can relax