FAQ

Why would I need a birth doula when I have my partner?

The partner of the birthing woman will be going through a lot themselves at the birth. It is a lot to expect of someone who is so emotionally involved to also be there to act as a an advocate with the medical team, to offer constant support without a break, and often things will happen which are as new and daunting to the partner as they are to the mother. A doula will act as a buffer to all this, being that steady rock for both the mother and her partner, able to translate medical terminology and be there for when the partner needs a break to go to the bathroom, to get a drink, or to be overwhelmed with the intensity of it all. She will do this whilst being unintrusive and sensitive to the needs of both the mother and her partner. The doula is there for them both.

Why would I need a birth doula when I have a midwife?

In an ideal world, midwives would have the opportunity to be with the labouring mother constantly throughout the birth. Unfortunately in the NHS these days in a hospital setting, there is so much required of midwives that they have multiple pulls on their time, and are often caring for several women at once. It is very common for a labouring woman and her partner (if she has one) to be left alone for several hours at a time. Depending on the time and length of labour, it is very likely that there will be shift changes at some point, so your midwife might change several times throughout your labour. Your doula would remain constant.

In a home birth environment, the midwife will be present from the point where labour is well established, but she'll have the health of mother and baby to be focused on, and will still be having to complete paperwork and fulfil other requirements. She also won't arrive until labour is well under way, whereas a doula will be there as soon as she's needed.

Do I only need a birth doula if I'm having a home birth?

Not at all. It is very common during the course of a labour in hospital for the labouring woman and her partner to be left alone for several hours at a time, with the midwives only coming in for occasional monitoring, to check up on progress and monitor medication, and for the birth itself. Midwives also change shift, generally every eight hours, so depending on when you labour and for how long, it is quite possible you may be seen by two, three or more different midwives during your labour. Your doula will be with you constantly, however long you labour for.

What things does a doula not do?

During the birth, a doula's role is not a medical one. She will not administer drugs or examine you, nor will she offer a medical opinion. She will not advise you directly on any decision you may have to make throughout your birth, but she will give you as much information as you need to be able to make informed decisions yourself, and she will stand by you with them. She will not dominate your birth, but will be a quiet, supportive presence, there in whatever way you need her, when you need her.

Any birth doula who is a member of Doula UK will not attend a mother who is actively planning an unassisted birth (a birth with no midwife or doctor present).

Postnatally, different doulas have different limits on what they will and won't do, but it is important to recognise that a doula is not a cleaner, nor is she a maternity nurse. She won't take on all the domestic chores of your household, although she will certainly support you with some of them, nor will she entirely take over the care of your baby, although she will probably be very happy to mind the baby for a few hours at a time to give you a break. If you have some specific tasks that you would like a postnatal doula to undertake then the best course of action is to contact the doulas in your area and ask if they would be comfortable supporting with those particular things.

How long would my birth doula be there to support me after the birth?

Your birth doula will remain with you until you and the baby are settled and comfortable, which will probably be after the midwives have already left, or until you have settled into the maternity ward if you are staying in hospital. She will normally return to visit you within the first few days and will be available to talk and offer support in day-to-day activities.

If you would like more support than this after the birth then you may want to consider taking on a postnatal doula.

Will the cost change for twins/triplets/late birth/early birth/long labour?

No, not at all. The fee for a birth is set and will not change regardless of how long the labour lasts or how many babies you are birthing. If you go into labour before or after your 'on call' period then your doula will still make every possible effort to attend your birth. Gina works closely with other local doula so should the unexpected happen you have someone else to fall back on should she be unable to make it to your birth.

The postnatal fee is a fixed hourly rate regardless of what tasks are undertaken during that time or how many babies you have.

How does a birth doula fit in with other medical professionals?

A birth doula will work alongside the midwives and doctors at the birth. The medical professionals will be more focused on the physical health and well-being of the mother and baby, whereas the doula will have a more holistic focus, and be aware of the emotional and spiritual well-being of the mother, baby and her partner. As doulas become more common and well-known in the UK, increasingly midwives are aware and supportive of the additional role they play in supporting mothers to have simpler and easier births.

Do I need special permission to have a doula with me in hospital?

Most hospitals have policies that allow a mother to have two people present with her in the delivery suite. Occassionally this is not the case, and if you plan to have a doula with you at your birth in addition to one other person, it is worth checking that this is OK. In the few cases where the policy is to only allow one additional person to be present, this can usually be questioned and worked around in advance by contacting the head of midwifery services at the hospital, and your doula will support you in this.

How can a doula help with breastfeeding?

All Doula UK Doulas have been trained in breastfeeding and will be able to support you in the early days as you and your baby develop the skills you need to maintain a good breastfeeding relationship. Establishing a good breastfeeding routine can take time, effort and patience, and your doula will be there for you whenever you need support, advice or an outlet.

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