HEALTH & Lifestyle
Doula Support L
ucie Platt understands first-hand how hard it can be being married to someone in the Forces and since the birth of her own
two children, knows that for many partners of serving personnel, extra support during pregnancy, birth and once the new baby arrives can be invaluable. Here Lucie explains the role of a Doula.
Being there Often Service families are far away from their families. When it comes to pregnancy and birth often the serving partner, through no fault of his own, is miles away. They miss antenatal appointments or parent craft sessions and some only just make it in time for the birth or miss it altogether. Others go back to work sooner than the two week
paternity leave allows and all in all it can make this precious time extremely difficult for mothers. Women can feel isolated and vulnerable even though the apparent social network is strong.
Women who serve
The word Doula, pronounced doo-la, is Greek in origin and means ‘woman who serves’ but in western societies today, it means somebody who has had her own children and who can provide informational, emotional and practical support to women and their families. Some doulas are trained as birth doulas only, some only postnatal doulas. Some, like me, are trained in all three areas, including the antenatal period; providing continual support right through pregnancy, birth and beyond.
In preparation
Before birth somebody might hire a doula to give practical baby care sessions, give non- biased information about feeding options, help design a birth plan and consider birth options that are right for you or simply give a hand in the home in those last, tiring weeks of pregnancy (this last option is particularly helpful if you already have other children!)
In labour
During labour and birth the doula is there as a constant companion; providing the mother- to-be with physical help and suggesting ways to relax and find the best optimal positions for birth. The birth doula is not medically trained and does not replace the partner; a doula can actually help partners to get more involved
The mother is the focus
Unlike a nanny or maternity nurse, the Doula is predominantly there to look after the mother and to ensure that she has all the necessary information available to her to make empowering, informed decisions; gaining confidence and becoming the mother she wants to be.
How it all started
During our last posting in Suffolk, I volunteered as a breast feeding peer giving support at the local children’s centre. Having trained with the Breast Feeding Network I decided that once we returned to our home town of Oundle, near Peterborough, I would train to be a professional Doula.
I trained with Baby on Board Doulas in Southampton and completed a Level 3 course endorsed by the Council for Awards in Children’s care and Education. Giving parents the assurance that I am well qualified to support mums and their families throughout the perinatal period was the first step. I then sought an enhanced CRB check and am now fully registered and insured. I have now taken the further step of setting up my own business supporting women in Oundle and up to 20 miles in the surrounding area and covers Peterborough, Hinchingbrooke and Kettering hospitals for births and am loving every moment of it.
For more information about Lucie’s business, browse her website www.
doulaforyou.co.uk
24 Winter 2009
www.raf-ff.org.uk
at a level they feel comfortable. Many birth partners often feel helpless, especially when seeing their loved one go through the tiring and sometimes painful process of labour. The doula can provide reassurance to both mother and partner and make their birth experience a very positive one.
Lightening the load Postnatal doulas give emotional and practical support in the home following the birth and this support ranges from debriefing the birth (this can reduce the onset of postnatal depression), breast feeding help, light housework and looking after other siblings whilst the mum takes time to recuperate.
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