Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to your questions about doula support
You might have questions about having a doula…
Find my answers below
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a doula?
A doula is someone who provides practical and emotional support for you during pregnancy, birth and the early days with a new baby. During pregnancy, a doula supports you with creating time and space to prepare well for birth and for the early days. During labour and birth, a doula supports you with comfort measures, with confidence and with belief in your body’s ability to birth your baby. During the early days with a new baby, a doula can help you ease into life with a newborn, providing you with the confidence and ability to care well for your new baby.
Why hire a doula?
The benefits of doula support have been widely researched. The Cochrane Review (2019) shows that doula support results in:
– Shorter labours with fewer complications and less inductions
– Reduced requests for pain medication including epidural
– Reduced likelihood of a caesarean birth or an assisted birth (using forceps or ventouse)
– Higher likelihood of establishing and continuing breastfeeding, if this is your choice
– Feeling more positive about the birth and postnatal experience
Doula support provides you with information, practical and emotional support, and someone who can advocate for you as needed. Doula support is for the woman or birthing person and the partner. Partners are often more empowered and equipped to provide effective labour support when there is a doula. Ultimately, the research shows that having a doula helps you to have a positive birth experience.
How do I choose the right doula?
It is a good idea to research the doulas in your area. Most of us travel up to an hour from where we live so you should have a few to choose from. Next, read about them online – what does their website tell you, what are they posting on social media, what’s the feeling you get? Next, it is about making contact – in the way that works for you. Do you get a timely response, does the response provide you with additional information, how do you feel? Next is a meeting – I always try to meet prospective clients face to face in your home or mine, or in a local coffee shop. Trust your intuition and go forward with the doula who helps you to feel calm, confident and in control.
What should I look for in a doula?
You might like to look at the doula’s training, experience and services. What is the doula’s philosophy – does it marry up with yours? Is she local, does she have availability for you, do you like her? There is a doula for everyone and looking for the one who best suits you is important. Inviting a doula to join you on your journey through pregnancy and birth usually comes from a place of feeling comfortable, and confident that you want this doula on your support team.
Why prepare for my birth experience?
Preparation for birth is key and can really help you to have a positive experience. There are choices to be made around birth and the only way to make informed decisions is to have all the information you need to choose what’s right for you. Planning where to have your baby, who will support you, what comfort measures or pain relief you’ll plan to use, and how you’d like to feed your baby are some of the choices you will be making. Considering these options during pregnancy gives you the time and space in advance of labour starting, to explore all your options and make a personalised plan for you.
What are my tips for a positive birth experience?
– Prepare, prepare, prepare!
– Get a doula on board to support both you and your birth partner
– Plan to give birth where you will feel calm and confident
– You might like to use the BRAIN acronym (Benefits, Risks, Alternatives, Intuition, Nothing): Ask your midwife about the Benefits and Risks, what the Alternatives are, explore what your Intuition is saying and what happens if we do Nothing and see how labour progresses.
What is the difference between a doula and a midwife?
A doula is a completely non-medical person – at your side, providing practical and emotional support through a trusting relationship. A midwife is a medical professional – trained to provide advice, guidance and care for you and your baby during pregnancy, labour and birth and in the early days.
When might I need to see an obstetrician?
If there is a complexity to your pregnancy, you might be offered an appointment with an obstetrician, who is trained to support complex pregnancies and birth.
How much is a doula?
Doulas will charge differing amounts based on their experience and tend to charge anything between £2-3,000. A ‘recognised’ doula will have supported many clients and a variety of birth experiences. Investing in a doula is a decision that you make to to ensure you are well prepared and supported for having a positive birth and postnatal experience.
– My birth doula support includes my time during pregnancy, labour and birth, which includes being on call for 28 days over your due date. Also included is access to my lending library, my doula bag contents (aromatherapy oils, comfort measures for labour, TENS machine, etc) and my birth pool.
– My postnatal doula support, available both during the daytime and overnight, includes bespoke support in your home in caring for you and your new baby, and is available to clients who choose not to hire me as a birth doula. Every family is different and my support will be tailored to your individual requirements.
My doula fees are inclusive of all mileage, parking, insurance etc.
Reach out to me for doula support
Contact Lisa Ramsey Doula to learn more about my services and how I can support you.