A doula is someone you come to know well by the time of your birth, and who is there during your labour, by your side, focused solely on you and your partner. She can encourage you, remain objective, and help your partner feel more confident about how to support you. She can also assist you with practical knowledge on comfort measures for labour, such as massage and suggestions for positioning. A doula can provide information when you have questions and can help you communicate most effectively with your medical caregivers.

The main focus of a doula's role is often on the birth itself, but doula support can also be invaluable during pregnancy and after the birth when she can help out with feeding and adjusting to life with a newborn.

There are a few things a doula is not. She is not acting as a nurse or midwife, so she does not provide clinical care such as doing examinations on you or checking your baby's heartbeat. The support a doula provides fits together with, but does not replace, the care of your doctor and midwives.

Doulas do not make decisions for you, or speak for you. This is your birth, your baby, and your life! A doula supports you by providing information and explanations you may want about your choices, but it's always you who decides what's best for you.

At The Midwifery Centre we aim to be a meeting point for families and doulas, we do not (as yet) train them or employ them, as they are independent practitioners .

Doulas have their own networks, codes of ethics and support, although we are very happy to work alongside them.

Generally a doula will charge somewhere in the region of £300 - £600 per pregnancy/ birth and postnatal support service.

We are offering 'midwife birth supporter' options, to those mother's who we have built up a good relationship with the Midwives at The Midwifery Centre. So as not to disturb the routine of the centre and planned appointments, this service is very limited.

Useful sites:
www.doula.org.uk
www.britishdoulas.co.uk