All about doulas...

More and more women are hiring a birth doula to accompany them on the journey through pregnancy, childbirth and into parenthood. Many are also turning to postnatal doulas to help them adjust in the early days of parenthood - the "babymoon".

A doula - the word comes from a Greek word meaning care-giver - is not a midwife. She is a lay birth companion. She does not have medical training but she should have training in basic knowledge of pregnancy, childbirth and early parenthood.

Doula UK is a non-profit network run by doulas and providing a free Find a Doula service for parents-to-be. It is not an agency.

To gain recognition by Doula UK, first I took one of their recognised training courses: the legendary natural birth guru Michel Odent's Paramanadoula Course, then I provided detailed briefings on my first four doula placements, including feedback from my clients. I update my knowledge continually through study days and also through my training as an NCT antenatal teacher. In 2009 I took the Nurturing Birth postnatal doula course and am working towards recognition as a postnatal doula to add to my long record as a birth doula.

Please use the doula menu at the top of the page to find out more about what I can offer you or go to my page at Doula UK
Birth Wisdom Blog: A Doula's scrapbook