A recent report by the BBC found that expectant mums are increasingly using the services of a doula, prompting accusations that the services provided by NHS midwives are lacking. 
We have interviewed doula Hannah Robertson from Calm Yorkshire Birth to find out more about what a doula is and how they can help you. We’ve also got first hand experiences from two local mums.
Interview with doula Hannah Robertson
MoorMums: What is a doula?
Hannah Robertson: A doula is a Greek term used to describe the traditional ‘wise woman’ in a community who had an in-depth knowledge of physiological birth and supported women to give birth ‘naturally’.
Doulas believe if women are nurtured and supported during labour, to be private and feel secure in their surroundings then in a normal pregnancy there is little reason why a physiological birth is not possible.
Doula’s are not Midwives as they do not carry out clinical checks but their value is in the continuity of care they provide for the woman/couple. Quite often a pregnant woman will be told that she needs to be induced or instructed during labour about a procedure that needs to take place. At this time a woman may feel unable to ask the questions and will accept what she is being told only to regret the decision later. In these circumstances Dads can feel afraid for the safety of their partner and baby and also accept the interventions without asking the risks.
When a doula is employed and has worked with the women/new parents prior to birth about their wishes, she can support them by questioning whether interventions carry risks and look at what the alternatives are. A doula would never make the decisions, she is there to offer alternative information and support an informed decision.
Nicola Goodall, a doula in Edinburgh described a doula as a fairy godmother and this certainly fits my image at a very magical time of life.
Hannah Robertson from Calm Yorkshire Birth
MM: How do you choose a doula?
HR: You should interview a few doulas to decide who is the right person for their family. Many doulas work with parents after the birth to ‘mother the new mother’. This may mean doing a little light housework, looking after other siblings, cooking a meal, walking the dog and supporting with breastfeeding.
MM: What is the Doula UK network
HR: Most doulas are registered with Doula UK, which provides a recognition process for new doulas to work towards. Doula UK also has a complaints procedure, which gives parents an official body to raise concerns with. The pathway to becoming a doula consists of a course, working as a trainee and then an interview to look at how you will continue to monitor your own working practice.
MM: Do you enjoy working as a doula?
HR: I love being a doula. For a start what a privilege it is, to be chosen to nurture someone through such an intimate and life-changing event. I get to meet so many wonderful new parents and I am there at a time when they fall in love with their babies. My favourite aspect of being a doula is watching a woman’s confidence grow throughout our time together and then being there for her at birth when she knows I have faith in her natural abilities.
How exciting that now there is a health in pregnancy grant, having a doula is more accessible to everyone. I hope the word spreads around to give more and more women the knowledge that a doula is a great way to provide the reassurance of an experienced woman attending your birth that you have built a relationship with beforehand.
Local mum Vicki’s experience
Jack's birth day
Vicki is a Yeadon mum of two. She used a doula for the birth of her second child. Thank you to Vicki for sharing her story.
I gave birth to my daughter in 2002 in a large teaching hospital. I did have an excellent midwife experienced in water births (which I opted for) and also a lovely student midwife with me the whole time during the latter stages of labour and during the birth.
It was the postnatal care whilst in hospital where I felt let down. I have had my leg amputated so was given a private room with ensuite, this was great for privacy and getting about with limited mobility but I hardly saw anyone from morning until evening and only got a cup of tea when my husband came. As a new mother (with no idea really) this was very difficult and I was desperate to escape by day 4.
I was determined not to go through this again following the birth of my 2nd child, especially as I had an older child to care for too.
Regardless of where I decided to give birth I decided I wanted a doula, having watched tonnes of programmes about it on the Discovery Home and Health Channel I thought it was an excellent support service for women.
I looked at the Doula UK website for ones practicising in my area and services were very limited at that time (late 2005) but I found a trainee Doula (Jill Harris, from Cradlecare in Todmorden) who I met up with and got on well with. She was very supportive of my choice for as little pain relief as possible (I used gas and air first time around) and the use of homeopathy during labour and birth. We visited the Homeopath together so she could help choose the right remedies for me when required.
We had about 3 initial meetings before I gave birth; my husband Sean met her as well.
Initially I was unsure whether to have a hospital birth and eventually opted for a midwifery-led birthing centre, only to be ‘rejected’ at the 11th hour due to my ‘complicated medical history’ but I was, bizarrely, recommended a home birth. I was certain I wanted a water birth, having had to leave the pool ‘to push’ (hideous) first time around. I found Aquabirths based in Bradford who hired me a pool and provided excellent personal service. Unfortunately the community midwives said I couldn’t be guaranteed to be ‘allowed’ to give birth in water so I also ended up employing the services of an Independent Midwife, to enable me to have the birth of my choice.
So in the end I was very spoilt with a doula and Independent Midwife, who met each other once prior to the birth and worked brilliantly together respecting each others roles and supporting us the whole way through. I opted to have a natural third stage (no injection) which proved very tough and their support during this time, whilst Sean looked after Jack, was invaluable, as the pain was excruciating and the exhaustion setting in after 13 hours in the pool!
We both feel having Jill there during labour and Jack’s birth was a very positive experience. She was unassuming and supported me in my choices and was just there when we needed her. She also came several times afterwards to help me but I was at home so did not have all the worries and let downs I did whilst in hospital.
I would not hesitate to use the services of a doula again if I was to have another baby, she was indispensable to both myself and my husband, she helped keep us both calm and was very useful to have around (in particular to head the Mother in Law off at the door when we were just about to cut the cord because she couldn’t wait any longer and had not had a phone call!!!)
Local mum Lucy’s experience
Thank you to local mum Lucy for sharing her story.
MoorMums: Why did you want a doula?
Lucy: For both emotional and practical reasons. I found out I was pregnant very soon after my brother died unexpectedly. Although we were very keen to have a baby and it was planned, I felt I needed a bit more of an emotional back-up than usual as I was worried about my emotions taking over during pregnancy and after the birth.
Also, I’d had very very limited experience with babies – I’d never changed a nappy or had any great idea of how to even hold a baby!
Finally, she was also there for my husband who I worried would find seeing me in pain, in labour, distressing, so she was also there as a support to him.
MM: How did you go about choosing a doula?
L: I had a very supportive mum and husband, but, after hearing that I was unable to have a homebirth and therefore hire a private midwife, the midwife we were talking to recommended Mother Nuture Doulas. I met both Emma and Rachel and I felt they both understood and would understand exactly what my husband and I wanted. Rachel then met my husband who also got on really well with her and the relationship built from there.
MM: Did you develop a close relationship with your doula, was she more like a friend?
L: I’ve never had one, but I would say more like a sister. Even best friends you sometimes have to watch what you say, or try not to put too many demands on them, but it seemed with Rachel nothing was too much trouble and I didn’t feel like I was asking too much from her. The things she has seen me do and what she has heard me say… I’m not sure I’d let even my best friend witness some of that!
MM: How do you feel having a doula there changed your birthing experience?
I credit Rachel with giving me the birth experience I didn’t even dream I could have. She gave me (and my husband) the strength to have a natural birth, and even when I wavered towards the end and I thought I might want pain relief she knew that I would have to sacrifice my dream of a waterbirth if I did, so gave us the strength to believe I could do it. And I did. And my baby girl never got stressed once. I would go through that birth again tomorrow. She was also there after the birth when I returned home and was at risk of letting things get on top of me. She knew what would help and kept me focused on what really mattered.
MM: Would you use one again?
L: Absolutely. I know it’s a challenge to replicate a good birth experience if you have had one as every single birth is different, but I know that if I have a doula (and hopefully Rachel) again, then I’m in with the best chance.
If you would like to ask Lucy any questions, she would be happy to answer them – contact us.
Recommendations
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