Doula Services Pregnancy Testing

About Doula Services

Professional
Doula Services is based in Hertfordshire and covers Herts and all
surrounding areas as well as North London & Central London. 

Philosophy

Pregnancy
is a very special time indeed but also a time of many different changes.
In addition to physical changes, mums-to-be may experience many
emotional, social, spiritual and physiological changes as well as relationships
changes.

As doulas, we recognise
that every pregnancy is unique and different in it's own right and offer
every support according to one's individual needs, based on evidence based
learning and practice.

I am here to
help you and your expanding family feel supported, safe and informed about
pregnancy, birth and during those first challenging days after the
birth of your baby.

My aim
is to guide you and offer emotional and practical help so that positive
experience and outcomes may be achieved through informed decision-making. This
type of support also helps the whole family to relax and enjoy the experience.

History of Doula and Present Time

"Doula"
(pronounced "doola") is a Greek word meaning "woman servant or
care-giver".

It now refers to an experienced woman who offers emotional and practical support to a woman (or couple) before, during and after childbirth. 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.

Birth
itself never changes and throughout history, mothers and families have
benefited from the doula's presence, both at the time of birth and following
birth, yet the process and support given to women during this time is
ever changing. 

Traditionally,
childbirth was seen as a matter for women and assisted by women in the
privacy of their own homes. In today's world, the majority of women deliver in
busy hospitals, assisted by professionals and with their partners by their
side. Support is essential in midwifery, but invariably, professionals are
often unable to provide sufficient support throughout the whole birth as they
are expected to take on more heavy workloads at a time.

'The role of doula
has returned and is needed more and more in today's climate of care during
childbirth.'

Her role is
therefore a very much traditional role, usually carried out by female
relatives. But in today's society where families are sometimes disintegrated,
lifestyles are busy and multi-ethnic and multi-cultural living means some women
are isolated from their families or close friends who could play the role of
doula during their labour, hands on help and emotional support becomes
essential.

 
'As doulas, we are here
to offer compassionate, non-medical care to assist families in their new-life
transition.'

Research

Research
carried out across the world has shown that having a Doula alongside you during
the birth process can lead to: 

• 50% reduction of caesarean rate


• 25% shorter labour


• 60% reduction in epidural request


• 30% reduction in analgesia used


• 40% reduction in forceps delivery

"Mothering
the Mother" Klaus, Kennell & Klaus, 1993 

Many
congratulations on your pregnancy.