What is a Birth Doula?

Doula is a strange word, often mispronounced or misunderstood.  It comes from the Greek word for 'female slave' but the modern definition describes a doula as 'a woman without formal obstetric training who is employed to provide guidance and support during labour.'  In other words.... a birth doula is there to support you emotionally and practically, ensuring you journey through your pregnancy, labour and birth in the way that feels right for you.

A birth doula can nurture you throughout your labour providing massage, relaxation, encouraging movement and comfortable positions or just to be there for you, holding the space for you to feel safe and cared for. Doulas are also there to support fathers, partners, grandparents. Whoever is there for you, doulas are there for them too.  They are not there to take the place of your birthing partner, but to support, encourage and enhance the birthing experience for you both.

The earlier you book your doula, the longer we have to prepare for your birth! Contacting us early also means we are more likely to have availability around your due date. Our support starts as soon as you book: we can plan antenatal meetings and be at the end of the phone for any questions that crop up. 

Equally, its never too late to book a doula - get in touch and if we are able to provide birth support, we'd love to be there for you.

Research shows the following benefits for births supported by a doula:

• Reduced need for medical pain management
• Reduced rates of interventions during birth
• 39% less likely to have an unplanned cesarean birth
• Reduced rate of induction of labour
• Shortening of length of labour
• Parents are more likely to consider they have had a positive birth experience

"Continuous support in labour may improve outcomes for both mother and baby.....continuous support from a person who is present solely to provide support, is not a member of the woman's own network, is experienced in providing labour support...(such as a doula), appears beneficial." (Cochrane, 2017)

"Evidence shows that doulas are valued members of the care team who help improve health outcomes for parents and babies" 

Rebecca Dekker PhD, RN, founder of Evidence Based Birth. Read the full 2024 article on Doulas here