Why would I hire a doula?
This may be your first birth and you may be unsure about how to give yourself the best chance of getting the birth that you are after or perhaps this is a subsequent birth and you would like to experience things a little different this time. You may have experienced a caesarean section and now want to look in to how you can experience a vaginal birth or VBAC. Single, with partner, young, caesarean, VBAC, wanting more information, wanting more support - Whoever you are, what ever birth you would like to experience, a doula can help.
A doula is there for you continuously during labour and birth, as you need her. No shift changes, no other women to attend to, no paperwork, no phones. A doula is someone you know well by the time of your baby's birth and is a familiar face in an environment where most people around are strangers. A doula has a personal connection with you and knows what you are wanting from your birth. She is also there for you in those moments when it all seems so confusing and you wonder if you are the only one in the world who has experienced what you're going through!
She is educated and experienced in the journey of pregnancy, birth and becoming a parent and available to you at any stage through your journey for information and hints to make navigating this new territory a little easier and smooth.
In labour she is there to support both you and your partner, emotionally with encouragment, physically with comfort measures, guidance and suggestions for partners to enhance the birth process, she is also there to fill the space when your partner may need a rest or break for the labours that may take a little more time and lastly with information and answers to any questions you may have along the way.
A doula is there to fill whatever role you require her to fill in order to minimise your stress and to enhance your over all experience.