How better to let you know what a Doula can do for you than to ask other’s to tell you about their experience. These ARE NOT REVIEWS for me personally. I have put a public survey out there into the world of social media to gather general reflections on what hiring a Doula can mean.
Some of the key words and phrases that have been used in these responses are super powerful:
The Responses:
We hired a Doula - Noa's Experience...
Why did you hire a Doula?
I wanted extra support and someone to fight/protect my corner and our birth preferences.
Tell me about your overall experience of having a Doula and would you hire one again?
We had an amazing experience and I would absolutely hire a doula again. Her presence made me feel so safe and secure. Having someone listen to my story and doubts was invaluable, especially as there was continuity to this relationship.
We hired a Doula - Gabbi's Experience...
Why did you hire a Doula?
I was scared and wanted more support and a consistent face throughout pregnancy and birth of my second child. My first child was born with shoulder dystocia and I was recommended a Caesarean birth for the second child.
Tell me about your overall experience of having a Doula and would you hire one again?
I would definitely recommend a doula. It is not an understatement to say it changed my life. She helped me to feel safe and to trust myself, and this I think helped me to have a quick and easy (unplanned) birth at home. This was an empowering experience. But what made the biggest change was not the birth itself but the time she spent with me before the birth, helping me to offload fears. Seeing me, listening, accepting. And we talked about other things such as parenting, where she skillfully opened new doors to life which I only noticed in the months after birth. Her stories of her own family set herself up as a role model for parenting beyond birth, and resulted in me spending a lot more quality time with my children than I would have done without her guidance and signposting.
We hired a Doula - Nik's Experience...
Why did you hire a Doula?
To support me in having a VBAC.
Tell me about your overall experience of having a Doula and would you hire one again?
Yes, would definitely hire a doula again and would recommend all mums do! To have personal support not available from busy midwives; to have a known supporter (didn't know midwives and they changed shifts in any case).
We hired a Doula - Rachel's Experience...
Why did you hire a Doula?
Because I had a traumatic experience of the maternity system when I had my first baby and I wanted support to have a better experience this time
Tell me about your overall experience of having a Doula and would you hire one again?
She held space for me and my feelings, treated me with compassion, understanding and gave me the support I needed at every turn. I knew I wanted a doula when we planned to have another baby, I didn't know how transformative her support would be.
I wish every pregnant person could have a doula.
We hired a Doula - Karen's Experience...
Why did you hire a Doula?
Trauma during/after birth of first baby. Desire for continuity of carer. Evidence showing doulas can improve outcomes.
Tell me about your overall experience of having a Doula and would you hire one again?
Wonderful experience. My doula helped me believe in myself. She was reassuring, calm, wise and loving. The birth was a positive, empowering experience.
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Find out more information on me and what I have to offer as a birth Doula here.
You can also find lots more information on other Doula’s in your area on Cambridgeshire Doula’s website or Doula UK website.