Birth Doula

As a birth doula I am there to support expectant parents in a non-medical role. I am there to help the mother identify her options, to discuss them with her, and provide information about pregnancy, labour, her maternal rights and caring for her newborn.

My role as a doula is to help expectant parents be the best informed they can be before making each decision impending parenthood asks of them.

Nowadays fathers often wish to be present at the birth of their child. They will find that having a doula to provide support and encouragement to them in their role as birth partner a great help.

I charge no fee for an informal meeting to answer any queries you may have about hiring a doula, and to discuss your expectations.

After that my fee of £650 includes:
> Three antenatal appointments (2-3 hours each)
> Attending for the duration of labouring and birthing
> One or two postnatal appointment (1-2 hours each)

There are no other costs that you will be expected to pay.

You may find it helpful to look at the Nurturing Birth website for information on doulas in general.

Postnatal Doula

Postnatal Doula duties will encompass many things, but really comes down to one thing. I am there to support the new mother in whichever way she needs. My services include moral and practical support to the mother and family. I can be on hand at anytime and will be happy to do anything:

> Cooking
> Housework
> School run
> Helping with older siblings
> Shopping
> Breastfeeding support
> Postnatal massage for mother
> Caring for baby

Each mother has different need - a first time mother may need someone to ‘teach’ her to bath and feed and settle her new baby, a mother having her sixth child may need me to take the children to school in the morning and have dinner on the table in the evening with nothing in between, a mother having her third baby in as many years may need me to clean the house and entertain the elder two.

Your first appointment with me as your postnatal doula will be to discuss what you feel your needs are going to be and who the people in your life I will be dealing with are – partner, other children, your own parents and so on. We will go over your birth plan and talk about how you see your life in the immediate weeks after the birth. It will give us a chance to get to know each other and we will arrange to meet again before the due date to make sure we have covered everything and this can tie in with a pregnancy massage treatment if you wish.

How much does it cost?

> Working within a time frame we have agreed. Hourly rate of £12.50.
> Driving: 40p per mile travelled for you (ie to do shopping or collect children from school.)

Live In / Accompanying for holidays:
Payment negotiated as one payment for an agreed length of time staying with you with an open book of tasks – I will be an extra pair of hands at your disposal. This service is available outside Cornwall. Price on request.