The word doula comes from the Greek word meaning ‘woman’s servant’. For centuries, women have had other women around them to guide them through their pregnancy, birth and postnatal period. Whilst many trusts aim to provide continuity of care, there is very rarely one person that is consistently present with through throughout this whole period.
What is a doula?
Doulas are non-medical professionals who are trained in the art of providing continuous physical, emotional and informational support before, during and after childbirth.
After experiencing childbirth and raising my first born through the pandemic, I realised how difficult it was for those that don’t have a network of family or friends nearby to help. I desperately wanted to be able to support those who needed it, and so went ahead with my training through Every Birth Matters.
How we can work together
At the moment, I am available as a postnatal doula within Stockport and the Greater Manchester area. This means that I provide physical and emotional support after the birth of your baby.
Typically this can include, but is not limited to, services such as the following:
- Providing breastfeeding knowledge, support, and assistance
- Helping with newborn care, such as nappy changes, naps, and feedings
- Providing resources to related services, such as a lactation consultant
- Helping your family learn and become comfortable with baby soothing and bonding methods
- Caring for the baby so parents can take a nap, shower, or eat a meal
- Helping with mum’s post-birth comfort measures
- Offering physical support as mum recovers from a cesarean delivery
- Making breakfast, lunch, dinner, or healthy snacks
- Keeping mom hydrated and comfortable
- Playing with older children and helping with bedtime and naptime
- Taking care of light household cleaning, such as dishes, tidying up, and laundry
Costs
Like much of the services offered at Journey Ahead, it is important that everything is shaped around you and your exact needs. Often our relationship will begin during your pregnancy and things will develop and grow from that point.
The value of a doula in those important early days cannot be overestimated. Much of the research around having a Doula present at your birth and in your fourth trimester explains how having doula support can drastically improve outcomes, and lead to happier, more mentally well mothers.
Depending on the scope of support you require and the hours this will take, I can shape a bespoke package that suits your specific situation. Longer term and larger commitments benefit from discounted rates. To give a guide, these are common packages that parents invest in:
Half day (either 9am – 1pm or 1pm – 5pm) – £80
Evening support package (9pm – 7am) – £150
6 x half days (either 9am – 1pm or 1pm – 5pm) – £360
3 x evenings support package (9pm – 7am) – £375
My hourly rate for daytime is £20, and I have a minimum requirement of 2 hour bookings. There may be a small surcharge for travel depending on your location.
Flexible payment plans are available too.
Whilst my current commitments don’t allow for me to practice as a full time birth doula, if you require support during your birth please do get in touch as this is possible in certain cases.
