What is a doula?
The word doula comes from an Ancient Greek word (doule) which means female companion. A Doula can provide both emotional and physical support to women and parents during pregnancy, birth and postnatal, the time the are bringing a child into the world. A doula will support the parents through there choices in this period and provide them with information on which to make these decisions. A doula is not a midwife and our roles are different. Parenthood can be a daunting task for many and a doula’s role is to ease this transition.
Some figures.
Our service feedback and data shows a better chance of health and wellbeing in pregnancy and beyond, whilst improving birth outcomes. See some of our results here:
- 82% of the women supported had vaginal births.
- 18% had caesarean sections(most of those planned) as opposed to the 25% national average.
- 44% reduction in chance of assisted birth (such as forceps, episiotomy.)
- Triple your chance of successful breastfeeding
- 5% induction rate (in comparison to 20%)
- 10% had a home birth (2% UK average)
Check out our website for what our doulas do and the blog post here.