How a Doula Helps?

If you choose to have a Doula present at your birth, you are guaranteed to have a reassuring presence for the whole of your labour, until your baby is born. It is probable that their will be at least one change of shift for the midwives, while a woman is in labour, and a Doula can provide very welcome continuity for the labouring woman and her partner. Most women will meet their Doula fairly early on in their pregnancy and by the time they are ready to have the baby have established a relationship with them, so they have the advantage of a friendly and well known presence in the birthing room with them, which will help them to be more relaxed and confident during labour. The Doula will also have been part of writing the birth plan with the couple and will help them to make sure that the staff adhere to what they have asked for.

Doulas are trained to help with pain relief during labour by using massage techniques, adopting different positions, staying mobile and by giving the birthing woman and her partner confidence in the woman's ability to get the job done!

The role of the Doula is divided into two separate areas, during the birth and for the first few hours afterwards, and post birth.

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