Why have a doula? Read below about my birth and postnatal services.
Why have a doula?
There is a wealth of scientific and anecdotal evidence regarding the importance of continuous care and support in the antenatal, labour, and postnatal periods. People with this type of support have been found to have a shorter and more satisfactory labour, and are more likely to successfully establish breastfeeding. There is also a lower risk of caesarean or instrumental birth, reduced need for induction, and a lower incidence of postnatal depression.
A doula can be this source of consistent support, especially with the overstretched nature of the NHS labour and delivery service.
The doula does not replace the midwife but enables continuity of care in a system where midwives follow shift patterns, being a friendly and loving face that you can rely on to be with you throughout your birth.
The role of the doula is to provide practical and emotional support, helping you to navigate and understand the wealth of information around birth and postnatal choices and enabling you to make the decisions that are best for you and your family. A doula also provides practical support, ensuring that you and your birth partner get everything you need during labour.
Postnatally, the doula’s role is to mother the mother, acting as “the village” in the first days and weeks after birth. Whether that is making meals, helping with older children, or simply being there for a cup of tea and a chat is up to you.
Birth Doula Services
Duration: 10 days +
Price: £990
Note this is an introductory discounted offer as I am newly qualified.
The package includes an initial meeting, in person or via video call, to get to know each other and see if we are a good fit. If you choose me to be your doula we will have two antenatal sessions (1-2 hours each) where we can discuss your birth plan and preferences, and any concerns or fears you may have. My role is not to give advice, but to provide information and guide you so that you can make the decisions that are right for you.
I am available during office hours on the phone, by email or via WhatsApp from 28 weeks of pregnancy, in case there is anything you want to discuss.
My on-call period begins ten days before your due date and continues up until your baby is born. I am available 24 hours a day during this period.
The package also includes one postnatal visit to reflect on the birth and provide any further information you may need about life with a newborn.
Postnatal Doula Services
Prices from:
£25/hr daytime (3 hr minimum booking)
15 hour package: £350
£35/hr overnight (8 hr minimum booking)
My postnatal sessions are a minimum of three hours and are priced by the hour. There is a reduced rate for booking fifteen hours or more at a time. I also offer overnight care at a slightly higher rate if that is something you would like.
During the postnatal period I provide emotional and physical support, looking after the baby so you can take a moment for yourself to rest or whatever you choose. I can also prepare meals with ingredients you have available, look after older children so you can take some time to be with the baby, or run errands for you. In a sense I provide “the village” that is sadly lacking in many of our lives.
My aim is to be a consistent, kind presence while you adjust to this new stage of your life.