Calm Embrace Birth & Postnatal Doula
Services
As a Doula, I Do Not:
Free Consultation
I offer a free consultation so you can get to know me & chat about what I offer & the reasons you have for hiring a doula before you hire me. It is advisable to meet with a few doulas so you can choose someone who fits your needs.
2 Antenatal Visits
I offer at least 2 antenatal sessions which will be tailored to your needs. I cover things like active labour, breathing, what happens during labour, comfort measures, visualisations & really want to get to grips with your own needs and wants for labour, as well as your partner's.
Phone & Email Support
As soon as I'm hired, I will be there for you offering free phone (text and calls) and email support. In the weeks leading up to birth I like to chat weekly on the phone, giving us the chance to get to know one another better.
Professional Information
I will provide you with information about what you can expect on the day of labour, who will be in the medica team that attends you and protocols. In many cases, I can offer information about how to secure the birth you want, if you are not being offered the choices which I know are available. I will also signpost to professional colleagues if you need any additional support.
During labour
I will support you and your partner if you have one during labour. I will be there as soon as you need me and I will stay with you. I always work with a back up team in case of a long labour, to ensure that the continuty of care and quality of doula support is not comprimised.
I also lend out a birth ball, rebozo, TENS machine & multiple birth books. I have some experience of homeopathy & so we can discuss this is you would like some more information about using remedies throughout your labour.
Baby’s first feeding Support
i offer gentle breastfeeding support & can help signpost to specialists if needed. I offer phone & text support in those first heady weeks of breastfeeding. I will always support your feeding choices in a gentle and un judgemental way.
Community Referrals
I know the local breasfeeding support that is available & work closely with other birth & baby professionals in the community that I can signpost you towards should you need any additional support.
Perform any clinical tasks
I am a lay person, offering emotional & practical support. I am not mendially trained & cannot offer any medical advice.
Make decisions for you
I always work to ensure you have informed consent & give you information about the benefits & possible negatives of proposed interventions. However, I cannot & would not want to make decisions for you. A positive birth is one in which the labouring woman makes the decision which affect her labour & I will always support these decisions.
Speak to the staff on your behalf
If the need arises I can help you communicate with your midwife and medical care takers yourself, by ensuring that you have all the information you need to make informed decisions during pregnancy, labour, bonding and early parenting. I prefer for the birth partner to be vocal in dealing with the midwives. In some scenarios, if the need arises, and you ask me to, I can undertake this if it has been pre discussed.
Project any of my own beliefs onto your experience
I work to support your choices. I will never try to influence your decisions. I believe in a positive birth being one at which the labouring woman's choices are respected & so I will always do this. Sometimes it may be a different choice to the one I would personally make, but I understand that every woman & every birth is unique & I respect the beauty of choice.
Postnatal follow-up visit
I offer a postnatal visit, which is a great chance for you to debrief the birth & talk about your feelings. I also include some postnatal doula support in this session, such as gentle housework or a chance to hold (or should I say cuddle) baby so you can have a rest.