Birth Doula
There is evidence to show that having a doula can mean:
- Reduced risk of Cesarean birth † *.
- Reduced risk of instrumental birth † *.
- Reduced need for painkillers or epidural during birth † *.
- Reduced rate of induction of labour † *.
- Shorter labour †.
- Increased parental satisfaction with the birth experience. †
- Increased likelihood of initiating breastfeeding *.
- Increased likelihood of successfully establishing breastfeeding & breastfeeding at 6 weeks *.
- Lower incidence of depressive symptomatology †.
* Brigstocke S. MIDIRS Midwifery Digest, vol 24, no 2, 2014, pp 157-160
† Hodnett ED, Gates S, Hofmeyr G, Sakala C. Continuous support for women during childbirth. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2013, Issue 7. Art. No.: CD003766. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD003766.pub5 and B, , , , . Continuous support for women during childbirth. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2017, Issue 7. Art. No.: CD003766. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD003766.pub6.
Read more here: https://doula.org.uk/new-evidence-in-support-of-doulas/
here: https://www.cochrane.org/CD003766/PREG_continuous-support-women-during-childbirth
I am passionate about informed choice, which means signposting clients to evidence based, non-biased information, so that they can make the right decision for them & their births.
My aim is to build a relationship & get to know you as well as possible, so that I can support you, your partner & your household the best way I can. Practically, physically, emotionally & informationally, throughout pregnancy, labour, birth & the postnatal period. To provide you with continuity of care, so that regardless of how or where you want to birth, I will be their to support you, hold the space & advocate if needed. To help you meet your birthing goals!
Once we have agreed to work together I will be available via email, text message, what's app, or telephone to support & care for you. I will provide two or three antenatal sessions where we will prepare for your birth - focusing on the areas that you wish to receive support with. This may include; discussing the mechanics of birth, hormones, writing a (or many) birthing preferences, the BRAIN tool, guided relaxations, demonstrating rebozo & other techniques for labour, the third stage of labour, planning for the postnatal period, antenatal expressing of colostrum, safe co-sleeping & infant feeding.
I will be "on-call" to attend you during labour & birth 24/7 from 38-42 weeks (this window can be adjusted if we know you may birth early, e.g. for twins, or e.g. you have longer pregnancies) & will remain with you immediately after birth until you are settled & happy.
Postnatally I will visit you twice. Usually once within the first 3 days & again within a fortnight of giving birth, depending on your needs*. During this time I can support you with breastfeeding, discussing or debriefing your birth story, guided relaxations, help with personal care, prepare you a meal, discuss baby care, help to give a first bath, signpost to further information on the 4th trimester, safe-sleep guidance, or baby development, give sling support & loan you a sling.
*Additional Postnatal Support can be negotiated upon request.
I have supported first time parents, second time parents, single parents, young parents, vaginal birth after caesarean (VBAC), home birth, breech vaginal birth, water birth, birth on a Midwifery Led Unit (MLU), "High-Risk" birth, induction of labour & elective caesareans. So whatever you are considering, I am here to help & support you!
To get in touch & arrange an initial chat &/or meet-up please email: sally@solentparenting.co.uk OR telephone: 07966662776
SHARED CARE & Doula
Back-Up
Since early 2021 I have
begun working more closely with my friend & fellow doula, Doula
Sophy. This means that we can not only offer one another the same care
& support that we offer our clients, but it also means that we can cover
one another as "Back-Up" doula or even offer packages of "Shared
Care".
What is a Back-Up
Doula?
This is someone (or may be
more than 1 other doula) well known by me, who I trust & know well, who can
potentially act as "cover" for me. For example - if I have 2 clients
who's on-call periods over-lap, my back-up can be on standby should both
clients need support at the same time. (Please don't worry - I actively try to
avoid this situation & even if it were to happen the likelihood of both
clients needing support at the same time is VERY slim.) Another example may be
that for a few days during the on-call period I already know that I have a
prior commitment, in which case my back-up doula would cover those few days of
on-call. And of course - worst case scenario, I am unwell &
physically unable to attend your birth, in which case having a back-up doula
who is known to you, who can step in & still give you that labour &
birth support can be invaluable. This option is widely accepted as good
practice & beneficial to all.
This service comes at no
additional cost to you.
What is Shared Care?
Basically, the client gets the benefit & expertise of two doulas working together to support them.
In a shared
care situation, both Sophy & I will attend an initial meeting/call
(or arrange another as soon as possible) so that the client will meet both of
us as soon as possible, before deciding whether to hire us.
Our Shared Care Package is £1500 (so not quite 2-4-1, but def not double the cost)
This includes 2 or 3 antenatal sessions with at least one session attended by both of us. The on-call period will then be shared between us - with the client calling whomever is on-call at the time & a postnatal visit, usually from the doula that attended the birth.
We are of course, happy to adapt our offerings for individual clients, should you require more support or both of us to attend your birth, so please just ask. As with all our services, if you are experiencing financial hardship please speak to us about that - we are happy to offer payment plans, etc..
Comments
Post a Comment