What made you want to become a doula?

When our second daughter was born in April 2005, after a first traumatic birth, I was lucky enough to discover the active birth philosophy and had a wonderful hospital birth experience at Birmingham Women’s Hospital. Feeling on the top of the world, I decided then to go for a radical change of career leaving the rat race to offer to each woman the opportunity of having a unique birth experience.

What qualifications do you have to be a doula?

As well as having two daughters, I attended the Paramana Doula Course in April 2007. Since then, I keep learning every day. I suscribe to various magasines such as “The practicising midwife” and “the Radical midwife”, research birth and postnatal topics for my university degree as I am currently training with the National Childbirthing Trust for my Antenatal Education Diploma. I also attend regularly medical and parenting study days and meet with other NCT students once a month.

I am interested in having a doula. When should I book one?

I would advise you to book your doula as early as possible to allow more time to get to know one another, bond, and receive support for issues that may arise throughout your pregnancy, as well as being able to spread the cost out.

What if I book you as my doula and you miss my birth?

This depends mainly on the reason why I missed your birth. If I miss your birth due to you not giving me enough notice to attend (normally I need about an hour), no compensation will be given. However, if I miss your birth due to long traveling delays or family circumstances, I will waive the remaining standard fee. In both instances, I will still provide the postnatal visit.

How many women do you book at one time?

I tend to book a maximum of one birth client per month. Sometimes, however, there can be a small overlap during the “on call” period, other time some women do give birth much earlier than expected. The onset of labour remains unpredictable and it is for this reason that I always work with a local back-up doula, which can offer a cover. The cost is no different to you, but it’s vital that you and your partner are comfortable with the idea of a back-up, it remains optional and you can opt out if you do not feel happy with a back-up.

Why do I need a doula if my partner/husband/mother will be at the birth or at home after my baby is born?

Your doula meets with you before your labour begins to discuss important issues, such as your birth plan, how to achieve your ideal birth, pain relief options, outside support etc. Your doula will be a constant source of reliable and objective information to assist you in making informed decisions for you and your baby. During labour, your doula will be an advocate on your behalf with other support and medical staff if necessary. She will be with you throughout your labour to explain terminology, procedures, and provide a trusted, relaxed, and knowledgeable presence.

Your doula will allow your partner/husband/mother time to nip to the loo, get some fresh air, a hot drink, or make an important telephone call. When they are at their best, they can and will be better for you.

Postnatally, your doula can allow the new family time to bond without having to worry about other things, such as meals, having time to shower, collecting parcels, taking calls, and light household duties. She can be there to support you with breastfeeding, co-sleeping, bathing, and other parenting issues. Your doula will be there for your partner, too. It can be overwhelming for anyone to, all of a sudden, have a new family, and emotional support is just as important as anything else. It’s important to realize that partners can go through postnatal depression, and receiving support during the early postnatal days can be very beneficial.

At what point in my labour should I phone my doula?

Although your doula will be “on call,” she may still be out with friends or family at the time you go into labour. It is ideal if you phone your doula as soon as you suspect you are in labour so she will have plenty of time to go home, organise childcare, shower, eat and change if necessary, and be ready to go when you decide you need her.

What things does a doula not do?

A doula is not a health professional. She is not allowed and will not administer drugs or examine you. Your doula will offer as much evidence-based information as necessary to allow you to make an educated decision, but she cannot advise you directly on any decision you may have to make throughout your birth.