Nurturing the Mother
Supporting the family
Helping your Little one grow
Tel: 07900218791 / 07545486001 Email: nurturestaffordshire@gmail.com
Doula Support
Birth Doula
Doula (pronounced "doola") is a Greek word meaning "woman servant or caregiver". It now refers to an experienced woman who offers emotional and practical support to a woman (or couple) before, during and after childbirth. Birth Doulas are trained and experienced in childbirth. They have good knowledge and awareness of female and birth physiology. During pregnancy women need positive encouragement and support. They must also feel able to make decisions for themselves and their babies based on information gained during the pregnancy.
A doula believes in “mothering the mother” - enabling a woman to have the most satisfying and empowered time that she can during pregnancy, birth and the early days as a new mum. This type of support also helps the whole family to relax and enjoy the experience.
For centuries women have been attending the births of women in their communities to provide support and comfort measures. Only in recent history have we been giving up the power of this sisterhood to industrial hospital practices and doctors that show up for a small percentage of the process.
The Doula is employed by the woman or couple before, during and after a woman gives birth to a baby. The Doula's role is a non-medical one but she offers both counselling and support.
We explore many aspects of care including complimentary therapies but the choices made by clients are entirely their own.
The benefits of having a doula are well documented and proven.
Medical Benefits include:
Additional benefits are psychosocial:
Throughout your
pregnancy I will work with you to help you understand the
physiology and biology of birth and help you understand your
choices around birth, parenting and feeding.
During
our two antenatal sessions we will work together to overcome any
fears and anxieties and see the positivity and beauty in your
upcoming birth.
During
labour and birth I will offer you and your birth partner emotional
reassurance and keep the birthing atmosphere calm and stress free,
if you doubt yourself I will keep you grounded and remind you of
the self belief we have established, enabling you to feel secure
enough to be able to trust your instincts, trust your body and
fully let go to allow your body to do what it needs to do to
birth.
I will
help you on a physical level,. helping you to overcome any tension
or discomforts (both during pregnancy, birth and postnatally)
through massage, homeopathy, traditional belly dancing techniques,
aromatherapy, birth positioning, use of rebozo's and slings,
exercise and nutrition. I will help your birth partners to use
these 'tools' so they play a more active part in the labour and
birth process. I do not come between you and your partner but
rather support you both.
As your doula I will be closely engaged with you throughout your pregnancy and especially so as the birth of your baby gets closer.
I will provide the whole-hearted support and guidance you need during your pregnancy, helping to ensure you and your baby experience the kind of birth you want.
Included in the doula support package:
Support is
unconditional.
It
is listening
Not
judging, not telling your own story.
Support is not
offering advice
It
is offering a handkerchief, a touch, a hug…. caring.
We
are here to help a woman identify her options
Not
to tell her which options to choose.
We
are here to discuss steps with the woman
Not
to take steps for her.
We
are here to help a woman discover her own strength
Not
to rescue her and leave her still vulnerable.
We
are here to help a woman discover that she can help
herself
Not
to take that responsibility for her.
We
are here to help a woman learn to choose
Not
to make it unnecessary for her to make difficult
choices.
~Anonymous~
If you require additional
visits, other than the two antenatal visits, the birth and two
postnatal visit, my fee is £15.00 per hour plus travel expenses.
Minimum of 3 hours. (Post natal Doula Packages are available, see
separate leaflet)
If money is the only thing
stopping you from hiring a doula please contact me as we may be
able to come to a mutual agreement, I would consider a trade swap
and I am happy to take on Doula UK Access
Fund clients.
Please contact me to check my current availability and/or to arrange a FREE, no obligation, informal, initial meeting/chat so that you can find out more about how I could support you and your family and the fees involved.
POST NATAL DOULA
Having a “postnatal” Doula means that the mother does not have to shoulder the overwhelming responsibility of motherhood alone. The modern nuclear family is often separate from local community support networks with families living far apart, making it difficult for mothers to cope. Postnatal Doulas specialise in guiding and empowering parents through these early days.
A doula believes in “mothering the mother” - enabling a woman to have the most satisfying and empowered time that she can during pregnancy, birth and the early days as a new mum. This type of support also helps the whole family to relax and enjoy the experience.
As
a Post natal doula I offer warm relaxed guidance, big smiles and
large hugs.
During
those trying early times I will never criticise you, tell you what
to do or how to do it.
I consider this to be a great honour to be of service to a mother during her tender transition following birth. My role is to serve her in her hour of greatest need as she adjusts to her new role as mother and begins the healing process from her birth experience ; physically , emotionally, and spiritually.
I will protect your space and your time needed to nurture yourself throughout the transition from women hood to motherhood—to be the mother you want to be and do it your way.
Postnatal support is so very important for mothers and families; the mother—baby bond and father—baby bond in those early days.
Every mother deserves to enjoy a ‘lying in’ period, allowing her time to get to know and learn from her baby. It also frees her to spend more time with older, sometimes emotionally needy siblings. I work to empower families and I facilitate this any way I can.
As a Postnatal Doula I come to your home and support you in whatever way you feel would benefit you the most.
Some of the ways in which this can be done are:
88 % of women who had a postnatal doula were still breastfeeding at 6 weeks and 67% were still breastfeeding at 6 months (This compares with 21% at six weeks and 7% at three months according to the Infant Feeding Survey of 2005 (Bolling et al 2007
As your Postnatal Doula I will come to your house for up to 10 hours a week for 2-6 weeks, working a mutually agreed upon number of hours per day and days per week.
Contact Victoria for more information or to book
07900218791
Stafford ST16 2RP
T: 07545486001
07900218791
nurturestaffordshire@gmail.com
This website is related to complementary health and self care practices. It is not a medical website and it does not diagnose medical condtions.
If you feel you have a medical condition you should see your doctor.
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