We might be stuck at home, but the wonders of the World Wide Web can bring us together, create and maintain strong bonds and enable us to achieve a lot of what we used to do face to face! If you are self isolating or limiting social contact currently, but need some support, I am happy to talk to Continue Reading
Splashing Out on a Doula
I’ve been a doula for a long time. Looking back, I think I was born this way. I am absolutely fascinated by people; what makes them tick, their hopes, their dreams, their fears. It makes me yearn to listen hard to both what people say and the unsaid fragments between the lines. When you listen, Continue Reading
Mothering the Mother
I’m writing yet another ‘what is a doula and what do we do?’ article. Why? Because I was asked to - but it’s hard. There are hundreds of these articles, scattered all over the web, trying to explain the role of the doula and attempting to address the many myths that surround us. It’s hard because I Continue Reading
Doula definitions & myth busting
According to the Oxford English dictionary a doula is A woman who gives assistance and advice to a new or expectant mother, either informally or professionally; esp. a woman (typically without formal obstetric training) employed to provide guidance and continuous support during labour. It's fab Continue Reading
Twin Birth – How it CAN Be
A very special, very strong, determined and wonderful client has given me permission to share her story here. After a homebirth first time round, she had implicit faith in her body's ability to grow and birth her babies in a very ordinary, normal way. It took us a while to get our equally trusting, Continue Reading
Why Just One Day?
This post is dedicated to all the amazing doulas I know who 'mother the mother', to every breastfeeding support worker I know and to every single mother I have ever supported - you are all incredible. One day? One day of the year we get. Just one. One day to appreciate, to thank, to hug to our Continue Reading
Why I do what I do: A list
1. Because it all starts in your mum's belly. If you can get a great start there, mum has a positive birth experience and you can be born gently, both of you can start out on your adventure tgether in tip top form. 2. Because an optimal start, physically, emotionally and spiritually will pay Continue Reading
Study on continuous support in labour
I've just been made aware of this study: http://www.cochrane.org/reviews/en/ab003766.html It makes clear the benefits of having continuous support from another woman in labour who is not a member of the hospital staff. What I find interesting is that the other statistically significant findings are Continue Reading
The Power of Placebo
This Guardian article was interesting, with quite a balanced attitude to harmless interventions such as homeopathy. http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/blog/2009/feb/06/homeopathy-homeopathic-nhs-placebo-effect I want to read his book, so will review it here when I have. If you've read it, please Continue Reading
Doula Preparation Course in March
We've just set dates for a doula preparation course in March. Please see www.developingdoulas.co.uk for the dates, location and other details. We're half way through the January course and we have such a lovely bunch of women again. So more wonderful women will be offering their doula services in Continue Reading