Having a baby is an incredibly exciting time but it can also be fraught with anxiety and stress, particularly if it’s your first child and you’re unsure what to expect from the birth and beyond.
As such, having a team of experienced people around you that can offer you reassurance, guidance and support can make all the difference, helping you to feel calmer and more at ease… just the kind of atmosphere you’d like your baby to be born into!
As well as your doctors and nurses, you might want to consider inviting a birth doula to be a part of your journey, someone who can provide you with support, information and advocacy throughout your pregnancy, as well as the birth (helping to protect your space and wishes during labour) and the postnatal period.
Your doula will be available antenatally to answer any questions you might have before the baby is born, helping to allay any concerns and working with you to find your specific birth preferences. From around 38 weeks, they’ll be on call 24/7 so they can be with you during labour, providing you with an extra level of support based on what you need in the moment.
Hospitals can be somewhat impersonal, hectic environments where it’s difficult for them to provide individual care, but your doula will work to protect your birthing space, make sure your birthing wishes are shared and that you’re really listened to by medical staff… rather like your own personal bodyguard!
And don’t forget that doulas can support you wherever you have your baby, whether that’s at home, the hospital or free birthing.
Once the new arrival is here, your doula will stay with you until you and your new family are well settled and feeling happy and comfortable, with at least one scheduled postnatal visit scheduled for support.
Postnatally, different doulas will provide different supporting roles. If you need help around the house, for example, they’ll be on hand, or if you and your partner need some essential sleep, they can be there to look after the baby or other children.
Talking over what you’ll likely need help with before the birth can make sure that the support is available once the baby is safely ensconced at home.
If you’d like to find out more about doulas and how they could benefit you and your growing family, get in touch with me today to see how I can help.
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