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- Lesley Hilton
- - contact:
- 0113
293 1400
- 07977
906960
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Doula UK
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- What
is a doula?
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“Doula”
- pronounced doola - means a woman experienced at offering emotional and practical
support to a woman or couple before, during, and after childbirth.
- A
doula helps a woman to have the most satisfying and empowering
time she can during pregnancy, birth, and her early days as a
mother.
- This
also helps the whole family to relax and enjoy the birth.
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- What's a birth doula?
Birth doulas are trained and experienced in childbirth. They have a good knowledge of female physiology. However, the doula is not supporting the mother in a clinical role - that is the job of the midwife/medical staff.
What does a birth doula do?
By being there a doula can give the parents continuous support during the entire labour to achieve a positive outlook and memory of the birth, whether at home or in hospital. Research shows that this continuous support can result in women needing less pain relief
and reporting more satisfaction with their birth experiences.
- What’s
a postnatal doula?
- Postnatal
doulas work flexible hours and give emotional and practical
support to the new parents at home.
- They
help a family to take care of itself, by
offering encouragement and suggestions and a supportive
home environment so the mother can develop her own parenting skills in a relaxed, stress-free way.
- The
doula can help with feeding the baby, and give the mother space to discuss any concerns.
She is generally a
source of information and companionship.
- She
can also help to care for older children, do some food shopping,
cooking, school runs and occasional light housework……
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- Why
a postnatal doula?
- Mothers are often rushed back into normal day-to-day activities. In
many other cultures women are often confined to bed and rest for a
period of up to 40 days.
- With the help of a postnatal doula a mother can enjoy some of
the benefits of a prolonged “lying in” period. This allows the
mother time to bond with her baby and maintain her relationship
with older children.
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- Taken
from Having A Baby? A Doula Can Help - a leaflet produced
by Doula UK.
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