Birth doula services in London
Whether it’s your first pregnancy or you’re an experienced parent, having a doula can make a significant difference in how you experience childbirth and the early days of parenting. A doula provides not just hands-on assistance, but also an emotional anchor that can help reduce stress and promote a positive experience for both you and your birth partner.
Huge congratulations on your pregnancy - you have such exciting times ahead of you! My name is Melanie and I run Better Birth Stories - Hypnobirthing & Doula London. I have been working as an antenatal hypnobirthing teacher for over 10 years now and have had the pleasure of preparing 1000's of women for their births, both in person and globally via my online hypnobirthing course.
To coincide with launching my doula services and joining Doula UK , for the next 4 births I will be working as a Mentored Doula. All this means for you is that I will have the support of a highly experienced doula following my next 4 births to debrief with and learn further skills from.
For the last ten years I have been so excited about stepping into my doula shoes but I have been waiting for my own 3 kids to get a little older. Now I am ready and raring to go!
I am offering a whopping 50% off my doula package prices for these first 4 births. What’s the catch? You have to fill in a review form after my last visit - it’s not so arduous really! I will be learning from you and I may be taking more notes than usual.
If you’re interested, get in touch and we can have a chat about how this could work for you.
“By choosing me as your doula, you’re not only getting a wealth of antenatal and hypnobirthing expertise, but you are also choosing a compassionate, kind, and generous ally who will truly care about your experience. I am here to walk with you, support you, and help create a positive birth journey that you will cherish.”
“If a doula were a drug, it would be unethical not to use it”
— John Kennell, M.D., Pediatrician
Birth Doula Packages
Support before, during and after your birth…
Classic Doula Package: £1800
Antenatal visits x 2
This package includes 2 antenatal visits where we go through birth and talk through how labour unfolds. I also coach your birth partner in the best ways to support you during labour. We talk through your birth plans and ensure that we are ready to work as a strong team.
The Online Hypnobirthing Course
You will be given access to The Online Hypnobirthing Course so that you can learn all about hypnobirthing in your own time and access all of the wonderful hypnobirthing MP3’s to ensure that you are feeling calm and confident about your birth.
Attending your birth
On call for you from weeks 38 until birth. I will then go on-call for you from week 38 through until your baby is born. I will join you when you are in active labour and stay with you right through until your baby is in your arms.
Postnatal visit x 1
Following the birth we will arrange your 1 postnatal visit (usually a couple of days after you give birth) where we can go through your birth and I can assist you with any breastfeeding concerns and discuss any worries or questions that you may have.
Hypnobirthing Doula Package: £2000
This includes
Everything in Classic, and:
Further antenatal visits x 2
The 2 additional antenatal visits give us time to cover my full private hypnobirthing course taught in the comfort of your own home (for more info on what is included in this course visit here).
We can also spend extra time on your birth plans to ensure that we are completely ready to work as a strong team.
Postnatal Doula Services: £30 per hour
I can also visit you as a postnatal doula following your birth.
I recommend 3 hours each day usually between 10am-1pm so that you may rest, shower, have another pair of hands for anything that you need and have the support of an experienced mother alongside you in your own home.
You can use this service from 5 separate visits up to a 4 week block. Whatever will work best for you.
What is a Doula?
A doula is a trained professional who provides emotional, physical, and informational support to a woman and her birth partner during pregnancy, labour, and the postnatal period. Unlike maternity medical professionals, we do not perform clinical tasks such as exams or delivery, but offer invaluable assistance in creating a positive birthing experience and providing continuity of care.
The Role of a Doula.
Doulas play a vital role in the birthing process by providing continuous support to the mother and her birth partner, which is sadly often lacking in modern maternity services. This can be done through antenatal birth preparation, such as hypnobirthing, supporting the mother through her labour and birth and as a postnatal doula for the weeks following the birth of her baby.
How Can Doulas Support During Pregnancy and Birth?
During pregnancy a doula offers emotional support and can provide reassurance and answers to questions, helping you navigate the emotional changes of pregnancy. Many doulas offer information on antenatal care, birth plans, and childbirth options, so you can make informed and educated decisions about your own birth needs. Doulas can assist your birth partner in understanding their role and how they can support you, ensuring they feel confident throughout the process as well.
During your labour & birth a doula gives you continuity of care, providing you with emotional and physical support throughout your labour thus ensuring that you feel supported no matter how long your birth takes. They will use techniques such as massage, breathing exercises, positioning suggestions, and labour support tools to help reduce discomfort and aid in the unfolding of your birth. They can also help you to communicate your wishes to your medical team, ensuring that your birth plan is respected and your voice is heard. Although it is important to remember that your doula can only support you and advocate for your wishes. All birth decisions and choices remain with you and your doula is not a medical professional. Instead your doula acts as a calming presence, providing reassurance and encouragement during the intense moments of labour.
How Can A Doula Support You Post Birth?
A doula can offer guidance on infant care, such as feeding, changing nappies and soothing your baby. We can offer breastfeeding support providing tips and tricks to help you establish breastfeeding or formula feeding. I can also signpost you to local breastfeeding consultants should you need further support. A postnatal doula can help in creating a smooth transition for your family by offering help with household tasks as well as emotional support through this enormous life change, helping you manage any feelings of overwhelm or anxiety.
What Are The Benefits of Hiring a Doula?
A reduced risk of interventions - studies show that having a doula can decrease the likelihood of medical interventions like caesarean sections, epidurals, and the use of forceps. Doulas offer an improved experience of birth, contributing to more positive birth experiences by fostering a supportive, calm, and informed atmosphere. Many of those who have hired a doula report feeling more confident and satisfied with their birth experience as they felt heard, understood, and cared for throughout the birth process. And lastly, doulas are linked to a better postnatal recovery. Postnatal doulas help families adjust more smoothly to life with a newborn, ensuring that parents feel supported both physically and emotionally.
What Does The Evidence Show About Having A Doula?
The evidence supporting the benefits of doula care is extensive and has been documented in multiple studies. Doulas have been shown to improve maternal and infant outcomes, reduce the need for medical interventions, and increase satisfaction with the birth experience.
Here are a few key studies and reviews that highlight the evidence-based benefits of doula care:
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A widely cited Cochrane Review, which synthesizes data from over 20 studies, found that continuous support during labor, such as that provided by a doula, improves several key outcomes:
Reduced Cesarean section rates: Women who received continuous labour support were less likely to have a caesarean delivery.
Reduced use of pain medication: Women were less likely to use epidurals or other pain medications.
Improved maternal satisfaction: Women were more likely to report feeling satisfied with their birth experience.
Shorter labour: Labour tended to be shorter for those who had continuous support.
Reduced need for interventions: There was a lower likelihood of interventions such as forceps or vacuum extraction.
The review concluded that "women who receive continuous labour support are more likely to have a spontaneous vaginal birth and less likely to experience negative outcomes."
Source:
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, "Continuous support for women during childbirth," 2017.
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A major study by Hodnett and colleagues published in the journal CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal) involved over 15,000 women across multiple countries and concluded that:
Women who had continuous support, such as that provided by a doula, were more likely to have a vaginal birth.
They were less likely to require pain relief, including epidurals.
These women were also more likely to have shorter labors and experience fewer complications.
Additionally, the study showed higher rates of maternal satisfaction with their birth experience.
Source:
Hodnett, E. D., et al. (2013), "Continuous support for women during childbirth," Canadian Medical Association Journal, 185(7), E380-E381.
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In this randomized controlled trial, Drs. Klaus and Kennell, who are pioneers in the field of doula research, studied the effects of continuous labor support. The study found:
A significant reduction in caesarean section rates among women who had continuous support compared to those who did not.
A reduction in the use of pain medications, such as epidurals and analgesics.
Women who had doula support reported higher levels of satisfaction with their birth experience.
This study was pivotal in establishing the foundation for understanding the positive impact that doulas can have on birth outcomes.
Source:
Klaus, M. H., Kennell, J. H., & Klaus, P. H. (2012), "Mothering the Mother: How a Doula Can Help You Have a Shorter, Easier, and Healthier Birth," Journal of Perinatal Education.
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In this study, Walker and colleagues examined the impact of doulas on both maternal and infant outcomes. The findings showed:
Women who had a doula experienced lower rates of cesarean sections.
They also had higher rates of spontaneous vaginal births.
The presence of a doula was associated with less use of medical interventions like episiotomy, forceps, and vacuum extraction.
Mothers reported greater emotional satisfaction with their birth experiences when a doula was involved.
Source:
Walker, A., et al. (2019), "The Doula Effect: A Study of the Impact of Continuous Support on Childbirth Outcomes," BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth.
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In a meta-analysis published in the journal Pediatrics, researchers looked at 15 studies involving over 17,000 women and found that:
Women who had continuous support were more likely to experience vaginal births.
They had lower rates of cesarean sections and other interventions.
These women reported higher levels of satisfaction with their birth experience and were more likely to have positive breastfeeding outcomes.
The study also confirmed that the presence of a doula during labor significantly contributed to improved birth outcomes and maternal satisfaction.
Source:
Gruber, K., et al. (2013), "Doula Care and Childbirth Outcomes: A Meta-Analysis," Pediatrics, 132(3), 500-510.
So, the evidence shows that doulas provide significant benefits to mothers and babies. Continuous support from a doula can lead to:
Lower rates of cesarean sections and other interventions
Reduced use of pain medications
Shorter labor durations
Increased maternal satisfaction and emotional well-being
By providing physical, emotional, and informational support, doulas create an environment where women can feel empowered and supported, which leads to safer and more positive birth experiences.