"We would like to say that our experience of using a Doula has been wonderful, and we’re sure this is hugely down to Kylie’s calm, confident and respectful approach to dealing with our birth wishes. She helped us be non-attached to the outcome so we could have a positive experience in the event that our home birth wishes were not able to be fulfilled. She also helped us ensure that we were clear about our preferred choices in all aspects of the birth experience. We feel very privileged to have had a first-time positive home birth and are not sure we would have had this had we not used Kylie’s services."
- Catherine
What is a Doula?
A Doula is a woman who provides a pregnant mother with emotional and practical support during pregnancy, labour and birth. She can enable and empower a woman to have a more positive and satisfying experience throughout pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period.
A birthing mother benefits from the support of a birthing partner in any setting. They can assist a mother during her birth whether she has chosen her own home, a birthing centre or a hospital as the prefered place to birth her baby.
To support a mother through the experience of birth, a Doula has completed training that has equiped her with practical experience and a good knowledge and awareness of the birth process and the mother’s needs during this time. A Doula is not medically trained and does not replace the need for a midwife.
While typically seen only as a support for the mother, the presence of a Doula can help fathers to also have a more positive experience at the birth and in the pregnancy and postnatal phases. When a mother meets with her Doula during pregnancy, it is ideal if her partner can be involved in some elements of the visits. A Doula does not replace the mother's partner, she can support couples through the birth experience together.
A Doula does not give advice, she provides support, information and is a good listener.