Why hire a doula?

When you are giving birth, whether at home, in a birth centre or hospital, or in another setting entirely, one of the most reassuring things is a familiar face. There's a very slim chance of knowing your midwife or midwives personally, as continuity of care is all but impossible under the NHS. The NHS does amazing work! But sometimes we need to step in and help you have the birth that feels most right to you.

As your doula, I will get to know you and your family before your birth in up to four sessions. I can help you to pinpoint what you would like in your birth plans (yes, I said plans, plural!) and share information, including lending books, and helping you to find other people who are experts in their fields to give you information that will help you. I can also help you to source things like TENS machines or birthing pools if you would like those to be available at your birth.

During your birth, I will help you to create the birth space which works best for you. This may include playing music, lighting candles, using comfort measures, providing physical and practical help. If you choose to invite doctors or midwives into your birth space, I can help you to hold your boundaries and navigate the options offered to you. I also have level 1 BSL, and have experience supporting neurodivergent people. I can also promote use of the language (anatomical and pronouns) that is most comfortable to you during your birth. Often, what is needed most during a birth is a calm, grounded presence of someone familiar, who knows that your body can do incredible things, and I can bring that energy into a birth space.

Following your birth, I will help to ease your transition into parenthood, by bringing meals (cooked by my lovely wife), listening and helping you debrief and sort through your emotions as you become a different sort of family with the addition of an extra loved one. You can expect two or three visits from me following your birth, when I can give practical support, which may include taking older children out to parks or walks to give parents time with new baby, or taking new baby on a short walk to allow parents to spend time with each other, alone, or with an older child who needs reassurance. 

Longer post partum support can be arranged for a further cost, if that is something that you feel will be beneficial to your family, or I can signpost some excellent post-partum doulas who can provide longer term family support.

I try to be transparent about costs. I offer one standard 'package', which covers up to four prenatal meetings, four weeks (two before and two after your due date) of my time on-call, my presence at your birth for as long as is needed, and up to three visits postnatally, and this package has a cost of £850. 

It is never too late  to hire a doula, but it's best to begin looking by the sixth month of your pregnancy.