"If a doula were a drug, it would be unethical NOT to use it"
Birth! It’s the most amazing, life-changing chapter in your life.
So why do many of us get caught up in hospital visits, screening tests, and forget to celebrate or make the most of it? The pregnancy journey should really be about you, your growing baby, and your husband/partner. It should be a story of love and trust where your needs are supported at every stage. That’s not always easy when you’re amongst strangers and hospital policies you don’t understand, or like the sound of – but as an experienced doula, that’s what I provide – support, empathy, and reassurance – your “birth companion”.
What is a Doula?
Pregnancy and birth mark one of the most significant transitions in a woman’s life. A doula provides steady, continuous support through pregnancy, birth, and early parenthood, focusing on the emotional experience, informed choice, and feeling supported during this period of profound change.
The word ‘doula’ comes from the Greek language “doule” meaning female slave, where women would care for and look after a woman during her pregnancy and delivery. Personally, I resonate deeply with this. Even as a Brownie, the motto “we will serve” rang true for me. As a doula, it’s not about me, my thoughts, beliefs, values, or convictions. It’s all about my client and supporting HER and her wishes, hopes, and dreams.
In the 1950’s and early ’60’s, women were being sedated and put into twilight sleep while their perineums were cut and their babies were being forcibly removed from their bodies, and taken off to the hospital nursery to be washed and fed while the mothers recovered. Is it any wonder women found it difficult to bond with their babies?
As birth became more medicalised, the emotional, nurturing support became redundant until the 1960’s and ’70s. Researchers Klaus and Kennell discovered improved birth outcomes and better mother-baby bonding, with the continual emotional and physical presence of another mother who was not in her social circle, nor part of the hospital’s system. This was the birthing of the doula profession.
I love this quote from Adela Stockon: “…the real essence of the doula comes from within herself and is not necessarily something that can be taught.” Being a doula is something more of a calling, a vocation, not a job or career. There is something inside that knows this is what you were created to do.
What Does A Doula Do?
A doula is a trained birth companion who provides continuous support during pregnancy, labour, and beyond. Think of her as a birth coach, helping to prepare you with information, guidance, and comfort measures to optimise your well-being throughout pregnancy. When labour begins, she’ll be by your side, offering physical and emotional support for both you and your partner, helping you navigate each stage of labour, and ensuring you feel empowered and informed as you bring your baby into the world.
- A doula is specially trained to prepare and support you and your partner for the upcoming birth. She will give you all the emotional and physical support you need to make the birth process as smooth as possible.
- The best thing about a doula is that you don’t have to feel alone during labour. A doula will help you stay focused and keep a calm environment. She will be there to support you and your partner, no matter how difficult the situation may become.
- Remember that labour is an emotional process too, and you may have some questions about what choices you’d make if you had the chance to do it over again. A doula can be there with you, supporting YOU and your birth choices, no matter which way you decide to go.
- A doula is like your guide, your mentor, your motivator, there beside you supporting your choices. Your doula can help you focus on making the decisions that are best for you and your baby with compassion and confidence.
Birth Doula
As an accomplished doula in Northern Ireland, my role is to help prepare you and your partner for labour and birth, acting as a guide and protecting your right to birth as you want.
I sit down with expectant parents to discuss, and perhaps, challenge beliefs around childbirth. Breaking down any fears or previous birth traumas is important so you can rebuild your trust and confidence in your body. Together, we look at what encourages labour as well as what inhibits it. We’ll consider your unique and ideal birth plan, but also broach back-up plans if things deviate from plan A. We also discuss your options around natural and medical pain relief.
With the ‘epidemic’ of induction of labour, it’s vital that we unpack the why, what and how of induction of labour, diving into risks, benefits and alternatives, preparing you before an induction of labour is offered to you.
During labour itself, a birth doula can help relieve the discomfort of labour by providing various pain relief methods such as positioning, breathing techniques, relaxation techniques, alternative techniques e.g. aromatherapy, visualisations. She will make sure your birth plan preferences are being honoured and will ensure you have the space and all the information needed to make an informed choice if there are any detours along the way.
Postnatal Doula
Postnatal doulas focus on support after birth, helping with practical tasks, emotional recovery, and early parenting. I do not practice as a postnatal doula anymore as I found the extended family support outstanding in Northern Ireland. My work is dedicated to supporting you through pregnancy, labour, and birth, helping you feel informed, empowered, and supported during this life-changing transition. I also support women who want to process previous birth trauma through my 3-Step Rewind sessions and Rooted workshops, helping you work through difficult experiences and reclaim confidence and agency over your body and choices.
Are Doulas and Midwives the Same?
This is a common misconception that doulas are the same as midwives. A doula is not trained medically, but she knows and understands physiological birth intimately. She can not perform any medical procedure, like taking your blood pressure, or checking your cervical dilation or delivering your baby. A doula cannot diagnose or recommend any medical actions; however, she can signpost you to research or evidence to help you make a fully informed choice.
A midwife is focused on the medical well-being of you and your baby, while a doula is focused on your physical and emotional comfort. When you are the main focus of concern, doulas and midwives can work beautifully well together, bringing you the best support and care.
A doula is able to spend quality time with you during your pregnancy. There is time to discuss your concerns, preferences, likes and dislikes with her and get comfortable with each other. Trust is built through building this special relationship. Unfortunately, this quality time is not available in your midwife appointments. There is often no continuity of care, with no relationship being developed or nurtured through your pregnancy. The chances of knowing your midwife when you go into labour are quite slim. This Cochrane review shows the value and benefits of having continuous support through labour and childbirth. Within the NHS, the chances of receiving this valuable care are very slim, so finding that support with a doula is just as good an option.
To find out the differences between doulas and midwives, read THIS article.
Why EVERYONE needs a doula?
Doulas are for everyone! First-time parents, those with previous birth experience, immigrants and those with specific cultural or health requirements.
Whether you want a natural birth, or are having a caesarean section, everyone can benefit from having a doula. Having someone who knows you and understands all births dramatically improves your outcomes.
1 in 3 women experience birth trauma. I think this is a huge underestimate, but still, it’s exorbitantly high! Having the presence of your doula enables you to focus on birthing your baby, with the re-assurance your doula will make sure your birth space is safe and you are protected.
If you’re not sure what to expect during labour and birth, you are not alone. It may feel like the biggest step of your life, and you’re probably a little nervous. As a doula, I assist in helping you relax and even look forward to the birth and delivery of your baby. If you’ve had previous traumatic births, I can help you process that experience and plan for a better experience altogether!
Women who received continuous labour support during childbirth were more likely to be satisfied with their birth experience than women who did not receive such support.
Should I Hire a doula for my First Birth?
Yes! YES, and a million more yesses! Having a doula at your birth is one of the best decisions and investments you can make for yourself and your baby. The benefits of having a doula include:
- Less pain during labour and, therefore, less pain medication is needed.
- Fewer complications during delivery, e.g. episiotomy, forcep or ventouse delivery
- Lower risk of C-section
- Improved breastfeeding rates
- Better bonding between mother and newborn
- Increased satisfaction with childbirth
What are the benefits of a doula?
The way you birth affects the way you transition into motherhood. This whole pregnancy to mother journey is like a plate of spaghetti. All interlinked, connected and dependent on the care and support you feel. Society has broken it down very clinically – like a waffle! Separate and inconsequential – Conception, first trimester, 12-week scan, second trimester and so on. However, we can see through the exorbitantly high birth trauma rates (1 in 3) that birth has a direct impact on how you connect and bond with your baby. As the Doula of Belfast, I am here to help you have a positive and empowering birth so that you can step into motherhood confidently knowing you can trust your body and your God-given instinct.
The way you birth affects the way you transition into motherhood. This whole pregnancy to mother journey is like a plate of spaghetti. All interlinked, connected and dependent on the care and support you feel. Society has broken it down very clinically – like a waffle! Separate and inconsequential – Conception, first trimester, 12-week scan, second trimester and so on. However, we can see through the exorbitantly high birth trauma rates (1 in 3) that birth has a direct impact on how you connect and bond with your baby. As the Doula of Belfast, I am here to help you have a positive and empowering birth so that you can step into motherhood confidently knowing you can trust your body and your God-given instinct.
In a 2023 NIH research paper on the effects of doulas on maternal outcomes, it shows:
- Lower rates of intervention
- Improved birth outcomes
- Reduced fear, but rather feeling in control
- Decreased use of epidurals and other pain medication
- Decreased caesarean deliveries (13.4% vs 25%)
- Induced labours had a 12.5% chance of c-section vs 58.8%
- Shorter labour and babies having high APGAR scores
- Positive impact on emotional well being (57.5 % reduction in postnatal depression)
- High rates of initiating and continued breastfeeding
- Stronger relationship with partner and much more.
When should I hire a doula?
Once you’ve decided to invest in a doula, it’s important to find the right doula who you connect with. It may be someone with years of experience, or a new doula who has no experience at all, but you both click! That heart connection is more important than experience. Take your time to look around. Check out doulas social media and websites to get an initial feel of what’s on offer. The majority of doulas offer a free meet and greet, or initial consultation, either in person or online. Take advantage of this time asking questions about her role, her beliefs and anything else that is important to you. You’ll intuitively know who the right doula is for you. This article will give you tips on how to choose a doula.
The earlier you book your doula, the sooner your support can start. Most doulas are hired in the early second trimester. Morning sickness and exhaustion have passed, and the reality of being pregnant has settled in.
The evidence is clear on the benefit doulas have on the outcome of your birth. From lower rates of interventions, less use of pain medication and lower caesarean sections, its pretty important to consider a birth companion. If I could have a pound for every woman who said they wish they knew about doulas before their birth, I’d be a very wealthy lady – however, I’d still continue serving mothers and families, because your birth matters more than you think right now.
A doula will do whatever it takes for as long as it takes to see the family through a safe and satisfying birth as defined by the family.
Are you interested in finding out how I can support you? Why not book in for a FREE and informal clarity call. I’m looking forward to meeting you!
