Being a birth doula and attending a birth is a privilege and one of the most amazing experiences, I don’t think I will ever tire of seeing a woman bring her baby into the world. Birth is raw, it can be challenging, it can be tough going at times and it can also be pretty brilliant.
I love being a birth doula, I provide continuous emotional and practical support, hand holding, reassurance and guiding dads when needed. For me, it is about being flexible to meet the needs of a labouring woman- this has involved…
support and reassurance during those early hours of labour | help with the TENS machine | filling the birth pool and monitoring the temperature | ongoing support so dads have been able to sleep and take a break | offering ideas and support with positions and different coping strategies to manage pain, energy and any worries | offering drinks, cuddles and a hand to hold | help with breathing to stay calm and in control | providing reassurance for partners | providing support, reassurance, information | listening | working with midwives to understand options, especially when different decisions have been needed | being a trusted and experienced birth companion
Doula support is an ideal way to supplement the care provided by midwives and I know it makes a difference. During long labours, even when I can sit back and rest, I remain focused so I can respond when her eyes search for me in need of reassurance. Being a doula is about offering ongoing, one to one support.
My birth doula package includes…
- 2 antenatal sessions
to talk through any anxieties or concerns about labour & birth and to help you feel better prepared for birth - birth plan/preferences
to ensure this is realistic and that it affectively communicates your wishes - on call from 38 weeks
when I am also at the end of the phone for any support and reassurance, which can be very helpful if you go over your due date - labour & birth support
when I will provide continuous practical and emotional support for you and your partner, to do all I can to ensure your wishes are respected and to help you feel safe, calm, confident, listened to and supported throughout - 1 postnatal visit when you get home
so you can talk about the birth and ask questions about your new baby - phone support in the first week with your new baby
so I am on hand for reassurance
This package is £450 (£350 if you have booked my antenatal course or birth consultations with me) and you can also book an additional 2 postnatal visits to provide more support in those early days and weeks for £95.
I only take 4 on-call doula bookings each year and I take bookings for due dates in…
January, February, March, May, June, September, October, November, December
My last-minute doula service
If you have attended any of my birth preparation sessions, you can contact me towards the end of your pregnancy or during labour and, if I am available, I will provide birth support for you.
This also includes:
- 1 postnatal visit when you get home
so you can talk about the birth and ask questions about your new baby - phone support in the first week with your new baby
so I am on hand for reassurance
This package is £250 and you can also book an additional 2 postnatal visits to provide more support in those early days and weeks for £95.
Research has found that the benefits of having a birth doula include…
ongoing support & reassurance from an experienced birth practitioner | fewer caesareans, medical interventions, epidurals | shorter labours | increased satisfaction
I am a well trained and experienced birth practitioner – I have worked with hundreds of expectant parents since 2002 and I have attended a number of births as a doula since 2009.
My role as a doula is to be part of your team, I don’t replace your midwife or your partner. I provide ongoing practical and emotional support and reassurance for you and your partner so you can feel safe, confident, comfortable, informed and supported throughout labour & birth, which could be at home or in hospital.
I only take one booking at a time so I will not be on call for anyone else. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with any queries and to check my availability.
Janine