When I tell people that I’m a birth doula they generally have one of two reactions. The first is they look at me quizzically and say that they didn’t know I could make jewellery “jeweller”. Others are almost always parents who nod their heads wisely but still with some surprise, ‘Ah yes I see, that would make such a difference”. Use of birth doulas is on the rise across the UK, not least due to concerns over staff shortages across maternity services, but also as women and birthing people increasingly desire more autonomy over their bodies and their births.
Doula is a word that first appeared in Greek and traditionally meant “servant to the childbearing woman”. The use of Doulas to provide experienced support during childbirth has spanned history but, arguably has never been as important as it is today.
In the same way as anyone renovating their house would ideally look for a project manager to ensure a smooth build, or someone training for a marathon might employ a personal trainer, I would recommend to all pregnant people that they prepare for their birth with a doula. It’s a sign of the times that many people expecting a new arrival are willing to spend upwards of £1000 on a travel system (guilty!) whereas investment in the physical and emotional journey to parenthood is not given the same value.
The female body is build to create, birth and feed babies. (Of course, there can be multiple bumps in the road to that destination for many, and I don’t mean to diminish anyone’s experiences or difficulties).
But as well as the physiological changes which take place during pregnancy, many of us seem
predisposed to hand over decision-making around baby/ies to other ‘experts’. Whether it’s the sales-person in the baby section of John Lewis or an interested granny on the train, we struggle to retain our autonomy and independence of thought when it comes to babies.
The role of a doula is not to be another ‘expert’ to whom you hand over responsibility for your birth.
I truly believe everyone can benefit from having a doula to support you in making expert decisions on your body, your baby and your birth. Instead of being a medically trained professional (although many have midwifery or nursing experience), a doula is able to offer informational, emotional and physical support - both during pregnancy, during labour, and in the immediate postnatal period. But what does that look like I hear you say!
If you were told during your pregnancy that your baby was ‘measuring big’ and therefore you should consider being induced early, a doula will help you feel comfortable in any decision you made. They will help you access data on the inaccuracy of scans and the risks associated withaccepting an induction, they would work through any fears you had about childbirth, and advocate for your choices and decisions.
Doulas can offer evidence-based information on many aspects of pregnancy (think diabetes, pre-eclampsia, induction, caesarian births), and would support you in coming to decisions with which you felt comfortable.
Doulas can help you understand the physiological process of birth and what is happening in your body during each stage of labour. They will support a frightened partner in knowing what to do when, how to touch the birthing person in a way that will provide relief, doulas can bring water, honey, sweets, flannels and anything else that is required, they will help after the birth to assist with physical recovery, establish breastfeeding, and take those important first photographs!
Every doula is different, with different beliefs, training, experience and skills, but you must always trust your instinct when choosing the right one for you.
Our true value lies in empowering the person birthing the baby and only you will know when you can see someone who is truly there to walk alongside you in this life-changing moment.
You can find out more about what doulas do by getting in touch with me - I'd love to chat to you. Alternatively you can search online through the Doula Directory and Doula UK.
An exercpt from this blog was printed in Epsom / Banstead / Stoneleigh Connections in July 2023.
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