Doula Services
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Doula What???
First time hearing about a Doula….. Well, a Doula is a “Woman Servant”, a trained, non-medical, professional, who provide continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to woman (and sometimes her partner or family) before, during and after childbirth, to help her and her partner to prepare for childbirth, build rapport, manage expectations and provide evidence-based resources for the best possible birth experience. Meet your Doula for a complimentary meet and greet/ Q&A session to see if we are a good match. Contact us for more information. |
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Qualifications
Certified childbirth companion (Doula) through Women Offering Mothers Birthing Support (WOMBS).
Breastfeeding Peer Counsellor training through La Leche League South Africa
Breastfeeding Peer Counsellor training through La Leche League South Africa
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FAQs
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A MIDWIFE AND A DOULA?
Midwives and Doulas are both professionals who work together to make sure that you and your baby are fully supported through pregnancy, labour and delivery, and postpartum. Two very different roles, but they work well side by side.
A Midwife has a clinical role throughout. They are medical professionals who ensure your health is taken care of prenatally, and during labour and birth. They join you when you're in active labour, and deliver the baby.
A Doula has a non clinical role throughout. They are non medical professionals who ensure your emotional well being is taken care of prenatally, during labour and birth and postpartum. They give you the tools you need to ask the questions you want to ask, and to make informed decisions. They join you when labour starts, and stay with you for the duration. They work alongside the partner, and make sure the family is well supported as a whole.
Midwives and Doulas are both professionals who work together to make sure that you and your baby are fully supported through pregnancy, labour and delivery, and postpartum. Two very different roles, but they work well side by side.
A Midwife has a clinical role throughout. They are medical professionals who ensure your health is taken care of prenatally, and during labour and birth. They join you when you're in active labour, and deliver the baby.
A Doula has a non clinical role throughout. They are non medical professionals who ensure your emotional well being is taken care of prenatally, during labour and birth and postpartum. They give you the tools you need to ask the questions you want to ask, and to make informed decisions. They join you when labour starts, and stay with you for the duration. They work alongside the partner, and make sure the family is well supported as a whole.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF HIRING A DOULA?
Studies have shown that when doulas attend births, labours are shorter with fewer complications, babies are healthier and they breastfeed more easily. Those who use doulas report having more positive feelings about their childbirth experience.
Studies have shown that having a doula's support can:
Other findings:
Long term benefits:
Studies have shown that when doulas attend births, labours are shorter with fewer complications, babies are healthier and they breastfeed more easily. Those who use doulas report having more positive feelings about their childbirth experience.
Studies have shown that having a doula's support can:
- shorten labour by 25%
- decrease the use for an Epidural by 60%
- reduce the need for Oxytocin by 40%
- reduce the need for Narcotic by 30%
- reduce the need for forceps by 30%
- decrease chance of caesarean birth by 51%
- help partners participate with confidence
- facilitate parent-baby bonding & nursing
Other findings:
- decrease in maternal fever
- decrease in infant days in NICU
- decrease in infant sepsis
Long term benefits:
- Improved breastfeeding
- Increased time spent with infant
- Decreased postpartum depression
DO YOU PERFORM ANY PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS?
A Doula does not, and should not be performing, or offering to perform any physical examinations. If you come to your Doula with a health concern for yourself, or your baby, then the Doula will recommend that you talk to your primary caregiver.
A Doula does not, and should not be performing, or offering to perform any physical examinations. If you come to your Doula with a health concern for yourself, or your baby, then the Doula will recommend that you talk to your primary caregiver.
HOW WILL HIRING YOU AFFECT MY PARTNER’S ROLE DURING THE BIRTH?
A Doula is not there to replace the role of you partner, but rather to work alongside them to support the person giving birth.
Labour can be a long process, and having a Doula can mean the partner has help taking care of the person giving birth, with tried and trusted methods, and they can eat, go to the bathroom, and sleep knowing the person giving birth is taken care of.
A Doula is not there to replace the role of you partner, but rather to work alongside them to support the person giving birth.
Labour can be a long process, and having a Doula can mean the partner has help taking care of the person giving birth, with tried and trusted methods, and they can eat, go to the bathroom, and sleep knowing the person giving birth is taken care of.
