Traditionally, women have been attended by other women in birth for centuries.  In Australia, many women choose to go into hospitals to birth their babies taking with them their husbands/partners only.  There is little passing on of real birthing knowledge from woman to woman.

Husbands and partners are great.  No-one knows you like your husband or partner.  However, a lot is expected of them - they are expected to know instinctively how to support you in a situation that they have never been in and that they may find confronting and overwhelming.

Modern-day doulas are women who are trained in supporting women through pregnancy, childbirth and beyond.  Their role is non-medical and can include providing you with any information you may need to make decisions, helping you as you decide on your birth preferences, supporting you emotionally and physically through labour and birth, helping you to settle in with your new baby.

Doulas offer support and reassurance not only to the birthing woman, but also to the husband/partner.  During birth, the doula will work around the husband/partner.  The doula will enable him to do as much as he wants to do, offering suggestions that may be helpful to the birthing woman.  Doulas also enable husbands/partners to have a break or a sleep if they need.  The experience of the husband/partner should be enhanced by having a doula present.

It is my aim as a doula for the birthing woman and her husband/partner to have their best possible birth experience and to make the journey into parenthood as smooth and relaxing as possible.