‘Over the years I have seen countless couples whose marriages seemed to be dead decide to fight to keep their family together, and some in that very process have found a love they thought was gone forever’ ( R Parsons)
'I believe all couples, even the most perfectly suited, have the capacity to get on each others nerves at times!' (Donna Hay)
Relationship support
Pregnancy & birth support Doula
Ian & Estelle Thurman, Bsc (hons) mentor & Doula
Pregnancy & Birth Support Doula
‘My doula (Estelle) supported me & my partner, helped with breathing techniques...she stayed with me when the midwife left’
– N, Birmingham
A doula provides continuous support to the mother before during & after childbirth. The word ‘doula’ comes from the ancient Greek & refers to an experienced woman who helps the birthing mother. Also referred to as ‘mothering the mother’.
During labour she stays by the labouring mother’s side or nearby throughout & provides emotional support, physical comfort methods & assistance in getting information you may need for making decisions. She works alongside the midwife, essentially in the role of companion, & also supports the partner. Research has demonstrated that the presence of a doula is associated with less medication for pain relief, fewer instrumental births, fewer caesarean sections & better condition of the newborn.
A doula can provide continuous care & keep the focus entirely on the labouring mother, providing a calm & objective support person whom they know & have already formed a trusting relationship with. This can be very useful additional support for the birth wherever they chose to have their baby. Doulas are trained to understand normal birth physiology & the emotional needs of a woman in labour.
Doulas are increasingly accepted in maternity care with a growing recognition of the benefits to mothers’ emotional wellbeing in labour & better birth outcomes. (Balaskas 2004, p.99).
[Balaskas, J. (2004) The Water Birth Book, Hammersmith, Thorsons.]
Janet Balaskas is the founder of the Active Birth Movement. She also teaches women & their partners, & trains professionals at the
Estelle is a pregnancy & birth support doula, & has attended births at Solihull Hospital, Birmingham Women’s Hospital, University Hospital Coventry, & client’s home! Estelle trained with & is a friend of Doula UK www.doula.org.uk Estelle Thurman, Bsc (hons) mentor & Doula, m: 07973 836 363
TLC Group, Solihull, West Mids, UK
t:0121 745 2457 m:07973 836 363
Copyright TLC Group 2008-2012
