Doula service
A doula is a female companion before, during and after birth. Doulas complement rather than replace midwives. The doula’s role is to be there for the mother – to offer loving understanding, respond to her deepest emotional needs, to never leave her side and to create an atmosphere in which the birth can be as easy and satisfying as possible. A doula is also there as a support for the father, to help the couple work together according to their needs.
A doula is trained to understand the exquisitely sensitive interactions between mind and body during childbirth. Research and trials have shown that using a doula shortened labour, massively reduced the need for pain relief and medical intervention and resulted in healthier babies. Mothers who had used a doula reported less post-natal depression, greater self-esteem and more confidence about breast-feeding and baby care. Your doula will visit you before the birth, be on call so that she is there for you from the start to the finish of your labour. She will also visit you afterwards.
For more information and details contact:
Patricia Whitworth Tel 01392 438586 or email patricia@birthwise.net
"Without my doulas support I believe my fear would have overwhelmed me. As it was I felt able to cope and to consider what medical professionals were advising me in terms of intervention and decide what I wanted. This was a very empowering experience.”
“ Patricia helped me to get into my own space and rhythm, and helped me to stay calm”
"Without being obvious Patricia subtly guided me in supporting my partner through the birth"
Helen Barker Tel. 01363 777256 or email helen@birthwise.net
“Giving birth to my son wasn’t just a physical act it was a journey from conception to the moment he took his first breath. On that journey my doula, Helen gave me love, support, friendship and most of all the focus to believe in myself as a woman. I can honestly say giving birth surrounded by so much love and trust was the best experience of my life so far.” ... Jessica
Thanks for the support, care and the professional knowledge and expertise that you gave us during my pregnancy, the birth and the early days. I feel you gave me a space and the time in which to share my hopes and fears for the coming labour and birth. You always had time for me and responded in both a professional and loving manner. You were fantastic – thanks for being my rock!” ... Sarah
Further feedback:
What Mothers Say…
“Before the birth Patricia’s advice on baby positioning and directly addressing my fears, helped me to keep a positive coping focus. This became especially important as I was overdue and became increasingly anxious”
“Patricia understood the urgency I felt to be with my baby and stayed long enough to ensure we were both happy and relaxed together and my baby was breastfeeding”
What Fathers say...
"At the birth I found having a Doula present extremely helpful and calming"
"By doing massage and chanting she reminded me of the things I could do to help"
Birthwise Devon for pregnancy and birth, natural childbirth, natural child birth, natural birth, prenatal yoga, pregnancy yoga, natural active birth, pregnancy massage, empowered childbirth, pregnancy classes, antenatal classes and alternative birth. We run classes in Newton Abbot, Barnstable, Exeter and Ottery St. Mary.
