A doula's job is to support you during pregnancy, labour and birth and in the early stages of motherhood. From helping shorten your labour to offering emotional support to new mums, here's what having a doula could do for you.

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What's a doula?

A birth doula (pronounced doo-la) is a birth partner whose aim is to support you during your pregnancy, labour and birth. If you book a postnatal doula, she'll support you once you're a new mum, too.

Doulas are usually mums themselves (although not always) who want to help others remain calm, supported and enjoy their labour and birth experience. They don't necessarily have any specific training but may have completed a recognised Doula UK course and they may have volunteered or worked for the NHS, too.

You can have a doula in addition to your husband or partner or she can be your only birth partner – it's up to you.

You can also book just to have a birth doula or a postnatal doula – or both.

The trend for doulas started in America and has slowly and steadily made its way over to the UK. Now there's a World Doula Week (every March) and even a UK-based national agency (Doula UK).

Why do I need a doula?

The idea of a doula is a bit like Marmite; you'll either love or hate the concept of it. You've already got your husband or partner and a midwife, why on earth do you need someone else as well?

Here are some common reasons for booking a birth doula:

• You're having this baby on your own.
• Your partner is particularly squeamish.
• There's a possibility your partner won't be able to be at the birth (perhaps due to working abroad, having a high-powered job, illness etc.)
• You're an anxious person or are particularly anxious about your pregnancy.
• You're tokophobic – ie have a fear of labour and giving birth.
• You want someone to focus on you – these days, it's unlikely you'll see the same midwife throughout your pregnancy and even if you do, your antenatal midwife won't deliver your baby.
• For reassurance – lots of mums find that having a doula as a constant presence is hugely comforting.

How can having a doula help with labour?

According to NCT, there's evidence to suggest that having a doula present can:

• shorten first-time labour by an average of two hours
• decrease the chance of caesarean section by 50%
• decrease the need for pain medication

Doula UK does make it clear that doulas aren't medical professionals though and says:

'While doulas are not there to change outcomes there is growing evidence that having a birth or postnatal doula brings a number of benefits. From reducing intervention rates, shortening labour and improving the condition of babies at birth.

'While this research is important, it’s the less tangible benefits of having a non-judgemental companion during a life-altering event that most women remember and value.'

Different types of doula: birth v postnatal

You can have a birth doula or a postnatal doula (or both).

A birth doula will on call in the run-up to your due date. She'll be able to help you write your birth plan and prepare for giving birth.

When you go into labour, she won't be involved medically or with delivering the baby. Instead she'll be on hand to keep you relaxed, focused, informed and will encourage you to try breathing techniques and different positions to help labour progress.

A postnatal doula steps in once you've got home with your baby. She doesn't help look after the baby as a maternity nurse does but helps support you with your first steps as a mum.

If you choose to breastfeed, then a doula can support you with this. In fact, research shows that having a Doula UK postnatal doula means breastfeeding is more likely to be successfully established.

If you suffered with postnatal depression in previous pregnancies, you might benefit from the emotional support a doula can offer in the first weeks and months as a mum.

How much does a doula cost?

According to Doula UK, how much a doula costs depends on the following criteria:

• the area they work in
• their level of experience
• what they include in the fee

As a rough guide, expect to pay at least £600 for a birth support doula. This could go up to as much as £2000.

A postnatal doula tends to cost between £15-£30 per hour.

Doulas are expensive and possibly even a luxury for many of us. However, the Doula UK Access Fund enables those on a very low income or escaping domestic abuse to have the support of a doula.

Find out if you're eligible here.

How do I find a doula in the UK?

If you've decided you'd like to have a birth doula, click here to find one local to you.

Or you can get in touch with Doula UK to find your nearest ones.

Drop them an email and let them know your due dates to see if they're available first.

Then it's a good idea to chat to a few first on the phone and arrange to meet up face to face if you like the sound of them. It's important to like, trust and want to spend time with them as they'll be sharing a huge part of your life with you!