Employing a Doula

If you decide that you may need some extra help during your labour or afterwards, it is worth arranging to meet with a few doulas before the big day. Have a cuppa with them and see how well you get on. Ask as many questions as you like about their experience, the sort of help they are able to offer, what they cannot offer and so on. It is so important to be comfortable with the person who is going to be supporting you during this exciting, exhausting and challenging time. Most doulas charge a flat fee for supporting you during labour and birth usually somewhere in the region of £300 - £500. This will include several ante-natal visits, being on-call for two weeks either side of your due date and at least one post-natal visit. Post natal doula's usually charge by the hour. You can expect to pay between £10 and £20 per hour. Trainee doula's are expected to keep their charges at the lower end of the scale and some doula's will only charge for their expenses. Many doula's will operate a sliding pay scale in order to be as inclusive as possible.

What is a Doula?

This is the question that I am asked most often when people inquire about what I do. A doula can do many things but her purpose is primarily to "mother the mother". I was amazed and dismayed at how vulnerable I became as my pregnancy progressed. I changed from a woman who took most things in her stride to whining at my husband to please take a mobile phone with him at all times (which he loathes) in case I needed him. A doula is there to support a woman when she is heavily pregnant, in labour and a new mother (regardless of how many children she already has), she is also able to support the rest of the new family as best as she can.

We are able to help her and her partner to identify the kind of birth experience they are aiming for, provide information if asked for it, address and explore fears about what is to come. We have a firm belief in the ability of women to birth their babies and are able to support them during this process. Some women need medical intervention, many women have medical intervention thrust upon them and an increasing number of women manage just fine at home or in a birthing centre with minimal help - somebody to lean on, a well placed back massage, someone to preserve the quiet,calm, non-threatening  space which she needs to birth her baby in or whatever else is required. Doula's are lay people and do not provide any clinical interventions or medical advice. A doula is dedicated to the needs of the mother.

After birth, a doula  can provide support to the family in whatever capacity is necessary. Perhaps to help establish successful breastfeeding or access professional breastfeeding support, do the dishes and make some tea and toast, look after the baby whilst mum gets a well earned nap or shower or look after siblings whilst mum and baby have some bonding time.

The word "Doula" is Greek and means, "woman servant or care giver", whilst we are not nannies or housekeepers, we are care givers and will endeavour to provide the care that a new family needs.