Doulas provide emotional, physical and informational support to women during pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period. Thankfully its getting more and more common to seek doula support – and for hospitals to welcome doulas during birth – and there are many trained and experienced English-speaking doulas who can accompany you on your journey into parenthood, while always respecting your choices and wishes.
What can a doula offer me?
Having a doula by your side can bring a great deal of comfort and reassurance, whatever stage you are at in your journey. And most doulas are happy to support you in all kinds of situations, including:
- pre-conception, before you even start trying to conceive
- trying to conceive (including after a loss)
- having difficulty conceiving
- undergoing fertility treatment
- loss of a baby
- elective termination
- pregnancy, including birth preparation
- labour and birth – read more here
- postpartum period
Read more about the many ways a doula can support you during pregnancy, birth and early parenting in our article When and how can a doula help me on my journey?
Curious what the research says about doula support? You can find out more in our article What does the research say about doula care?