Author Name:
Yvonne Bailey

Biography:
Yvonne Bailey is a post-natal doula and the founder of Confident Mother, a provider of Doulas in the East Midlands.

The Mothers amongst us will recall with a vivid accuracy every minute of our labour and birth. For many of us this meant feeling a loss of control. We made decisions motivated by fear and at times felt lonely and vulnerable (even when accompanied by our partners)
-- and what about those few weeks after the baby was born –feeling excited but exhausted in the full flow of sleep deprivation, , on a high yet overwhelmed with thoughts such as OK we are home what do we do now??!!

Imagine what it would of felt like if, the day after you arrived home an experienced Mother came for several hours to talk you through your birth experience. She started caring for you and your newborn in a caring and professional way. Giving support both emotionally and practically.
This mother having experience and knowledge of breastfeeding and some of the problems relating to feeding.(and if she can’t help she will know someone who can). She didn’t work 9-5 but fitted in around you and your new family. During those first few precious weeks she offered continuous support as you transitioned from a couple to parents or a threesome to a foursome. She did everything she could to allow you to bond with your baby and gain confidence as a mother. Hey presto welcome to your POST NATAL DOULA.

The word Doula is derived from the Greek and the literal meaning is hand maiden. But a more modern description of a Doula would be someone who mothers the mother.

In the past this role would of been performed by close family relative i.e. Mother or sisters, but sadly nowadays for a variety of reasons, this isn’t always possible and more and more Women are turning to Doulas for emotional and practical support, both during labour, birth and postnatally.

There are two kinds of Doula Birth or Labour Doula and post-natal or post birth Doula.

A Birth Doula meets with her client ante-natally and works towards meeting the needs of both parents on order to enhance a positive birth experience. The birth Doula stays with the couple (or Woman only) during the whole of the labour, no changing shifts.
The birth Doula will provide continuous emotional support during the labour and can offer advice on relaxation and positioning-some birth Doulas are trained in massage and reflexology which can help relaxation during labour

A birth Doula will also stand as an advocate for the couple ensuring good communication with the professionals however it must be stressed that she is not a midwife and does not make clinical decisions, or perform clinical tasks.

There has been a lot of research particularly in America which has found that the support of a Doula during labour can reduce the need for medical intervention-for instance the use of epidurals forceps and caesarean births. And those mothers were more responsive to their new babies. In all having a Birth Doula means you are more likely to have a more positive and fulfilling birth experience.

Which is especially reassuring to a mother, who has had a prior difficult experience of childbirth.

A Post Natal Doula will again meet the family prebirth to give them the opportunity to get to know each other and discuss what the families post natal needs might be.

The post natal Doula will provide the new Mum with emotional support by allowing her to discuss her feelings about the birth and she will assist the new families with their transition into parent hood. She will be able to discuss aspects of baby care and give support with infant feeding. The post natal Doula can also help with practical things like preparing meals doing light housework or running errands thus allowing both parents time to rest and bond with their baby.

She may also be required to care for older siblings as well as the newborn allowing the new Mum to spend some time on herself, bathing or having a massage.

Research has also shown that where Mothers have a post natal Doula they are less likely to suffer from post natal depression, and breastfeed for longer.

In today’s high powered society overwhelming expectations are put on new Mothers to get up and get on with it and if they haven’t mastered it in the first 48hours they feel a failure. Fortunately with a little support and pampering and a small dose of humour these feelings are short lived. If the end of the initial intense and chaotic post-natal period, sees the emergence of creative, competent and confident parents. The Post Natal Doula has done her job well!



Yvonne Bailey.R.G.N
Post Natal Doula

http://www.confidentmotherdoulas.co.uk

28/2/2006