FAQ's about Debbie's Doula Baby Service for the complete baby service in Redditch, Worcestershire, West Midlands, WarwickshireDebbie's Doula Service

How can a Doula help me prepare for my baby’s birth?

Before your baby is born, a Doula can help you obtain the resources and information you need to make informed decisions about your birth. Deciding where to birth and your options for choosing a care provider, techniques for coping with pain, positioning during labour, and formulating a birth plan are just some of the things a Doula can help with. As well as practical support, your Doula is also a source of emotional support and a sounding board for you to use as often as you need to.

What does a Doula do at a birth?

As a Doula, I’m comfortable to take whatever role suits you - after all it’s your birth! Some mums want very hands on support - so relaxation and visualization techniques, reminders and encouragement about her positioning and breathing, and helping her to remember to ask questions so she has the information she needs during her labour may be important to her. Others prefer their Doula to be more in the background, just making sure she is comfortable and providing opportunities for their partners to have a break. I’m here to help you and you partner make the birth of your baby a positive and memorable experience regardless of how you envisage your labour and birth. I will support your decisions and do everything I can to make sure your wishes are heard and respected.

Won’t a Doula take away from my partners role?

Having a Doula at your birth should never undermine or diminish your partners support role. Supporting a labouring mother can sometimes be a long, tiring and emotional experience and many partners find the presence of a Doula makes things easier for them as well. A Doula can simply provide reassurance for partners, or show them how to help mum with her positioning and breathing if they would prefer to be more involved. The involvement of a Doula will be defined by the couple. Sometimes during a particularly long or complicated labour, it can also be beneficial for partners to help them stay calm and focused.

My partner isn’t comfortable with having a stranger present during our baby’s birth?

Hopefully, when the time comes for your baby to be born your Doula will be someone both of you feel safe with and have come to trust and know. It’s important to remember that if your baby is born in hospital you’ll encounter many strangers during your labour - since you probably won’t have met the midwives or other staff before. The birth rooms of the modern hospitals are sometimes very busy places - doctors, midwives, students and other personnel will come and go and just as you start to feel comfortable with them . . . There’s a shift change and more new faces. So having a Doula present can actually provide continuity of care and a familiar presence when you and your partner need it most.

I’m not sure if I’ll have a drug free, natural birth - will a Doula still support me?

As your Doula it’s my role to support you in your choices. No matter how you decide to birth your baby, there are still immense benefits to having a Doula support you. Even if you’re undecided about pain relief or keeping an open mind - a Doula will help you explore your options and be there during labour to make sure you have the information you need at the time to make your decisions.