Your average 21st Century birth is a managed, mechanical process.
BIRTH
Heartbeat monitors, epidurals, caesareans, scans, doctors with stethoscopes and nurses with clipboards: your typical 21st Century birth is more a managed, mechanical process than a profoundly emotional experience.
With all the focus on technology, the emotional and practical needs of the mother-to-be and her family often go unmet. We may know exactly how far a labouring woman is dilated, but does anyone bother to check how she?s feeling? Terrified, overwhelmed perhaps? Sometimes a labouring woman could do with one less internal examination and one more supportive hug.
In the past our mum?s, sisters? and grannies? would have filled this emotional need, and some still do.? But modern families often settle far apart, living busy lives. On top of that, many modern women do not feel comfortable with labour having either had a traumatic experience themselves or never experienced the situation before.
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DOULAS
This is where doulas come in. They are trained to support parents-to-be throughout pregnancy and labour. They are NOT medical professionals, but they are trained in female physiology and childbirth.? They pick up the NHS? slack providing the emotional support and practical advice on everything from birthing positions to breast feeding: things most NHS doctors and nurses would dearly love to provide but they simply do not have the time nor resources. According to doula.org.uk, a doula?s mission statement is to ?mother the mother? and to support ?the whole family to ensure as a positive birth experience as possible.?
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STATISTICS
The statistics are pretty impressive. 700 doula-assisted births were surveyed in 2008, 45% had natural births, 19% had homebirths without being transferred to hospital (compared to a 2.3% average). Plus an amazing 88% of women supported by a postnatal doula were still breastfeeding at 6 weeks; the national average is only 21%.
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POSTNATAL SUPPORT
After childbirth the doula may follow up with a couple of postnatal visits to help the new mum settle at home with her baby, or alternatively the mother may decide to employ a postnatal doula.
Postnatal doulas work flexible hours to suit the family, offering practical and emotional support to the new parents in the home following the birth of the baby (or babies). The doula?s role is empowering a family to take care of itself with encouragement, practical suggestions for breastfeeding, baby and sibling care and can include helping with domestic tasks, cooking, laundry and so on.
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COST
Having a doula at your birth falls between ?350 and ?900 ? this may also include pre- and postnatal support. Trainee doulas who have not yet received their Recognition from Doula UK and are undergoing mentorship from an experienced doula charge ?200 for a birth. Postnatal doulas charge from upwards of ?10 per hour.
If money is tight then Doula UK also has a Hardship Fund, which can be accessed by women who are receiving state benefits, or who have been recommended by a health professional. The Hardship Fund covers a doula?s expenses but the doula gives her services voluntarily.
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MEANING
It?s a wonderful sounding word isn?t it?? Doula is Ancient Greek for ?woman servant? or ?caregiver.? ?The modern meaning ?focuses very much?on the care giving aspect of the word. Doulas provide nurturing and practical support for labouring and postnatal women and their family.
For lots more information on Doulas go to http://doula.org.uk
Is labour just round the corner for you? Have a browse of our CDs and books on birth preparation.
Did you use a doula? What were your experiences? We?d love to hear from you!
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