What is a Doula?
The word "Doula" (Greek in origin) was traditionally used to signify a woman servant or caregiver who attended women during birth and the postpartum period. Nowadays the word “doula” is used to describe someone who attends women during labour and after the birth, but the emphasis now is as much on assisting the empowerment of women through the birthing process as it is on providing practical physical and emotional support.
There are two categories of doulas:
Birth Doulas - These doulas work with women during the antenatal and labour/birth period.
Some of the services postpartum doulas provide are
The word "Doula" (Greek in origin) was traditionally used to signify a woman servant or caregiver who attended women during birth and the postpartum period. Nowadays the word “doula” is used to describe someone who attends women during labour and after the birth, but the emphasis now is as much on assisting the empowerment of women through the birthing process as it is on providing practical physical and emotional support.
There are two categories of doulas:
Birth Doulas - These doulas work with women during the antenatal and labour/birth period.
- Emotional support (continuous support, reassurance and encouragement)
- Informational support (information gathering, explanation of procedures)
- Physical support (comfort measures, massage, physical support, relaxation and positioning etc.)
Some of the services postpartum doulas provide are
- Maternal care - emotional support, knowledge of postpartum health and recovery from birth, evidence-based information on infant feeding, breastfeeding support
- Newborn care - bathing, changing, feeding and comforting
- Household tasks - light housekeeping, meal preparation, grocery shopping
- Undisturbed rest time while someone listens for the baby
- Timely referrals to vetted professionals if required
Services
Birth Doula€500 - €1000
At a minimum you can expect from your birth doula: • At least one antenatal appointment • Ongoing phone / text / e-mail contact • On call 24/7 for two weeks before your estimated birth date until the birth (unless otherwise agreed) • Attend you in your home in labour if you wish • Transfer to hospital and remain with you until at least one hour after the birth • One postpartum visit (usually at home) |
Postpartum Doula€20 - €30 per hour
You can expect your postpartum doula to: • Provide in-home care from birth up to three months, depending on your needs. • Meet once before the due date. • Be on-call two weeks before the due date and be available to begin service 48 hours after birth. • Create a package to suit your individual needs (e.g. 4 hours a day, 4 days a week). |
Gift certificates are available from individual's own websites