Page 77 - Mother & Baby - UK (March 2020)

OUR EXPERTS ARE HERE TO SHARE THEIR ADVICE

big question
Clare Maddalena
isadoulaandfounder of
LushTums,theUK’s leading
providerofpregnancy
yoga; lushtums.co.uk

Pregnancy

Beth Kitt
isamidwifeand founder THE BIG
ofTheBumpto Baby QUESTION
Chapter,teaching antenatal

classes and hypnobirthing;
thebumptobaby
chapter.co.uk

I keep hearing highlight all the options, and help empower the
expectant mother to make her own choices.
about doulas. Sometimes the role may mean some advocacy
health skills are used to help ensure mum is listened to,
What do they seen, heard, acknowledged and respected in all
Sarah Beeson
MBEisaformer her choices, even if they go against the grain.
healthvisitorandauthor do and how can they Having constant support from someone you
ofparentingguideHappy
PHOTOGRAPHY SHUTTERSTOCK, ADOBE STOCK
Baby,HappyFamily(£9.99, help me during labour? have built trust with throughout birth can help
HarperThorsons) the mother and her partner to relax. The more
Lisa Grimwood, Bristol we allow the birth process to take its natural
course, the smoother things usually unfold.
Doulas are amazing women. I’m not just saying Statistics show that a woman is 60 per cent less
that because I am one, but because of all the likely to need a medical intervention when she
other doulas I have met. They’re caring, has a doula present. It’s not known exactly why
sleep
knowledgeable and kind. They’re there to that is, but perhaps having another experienced
Lucy Wolfe
sleepconsultantLucy guide couples during pregnancy and as they person present, who mum trusts and feels safe
Wolfeisbrandambassador prepare for birth, and to provide emotional with, is enough to help her trust her body, and
forBabyEleganceand support throughout labour. They can also step allow the birth process to unfold naturally.
authorofTheBabySleep in postnatally as an extra pair of hands. Doulas also offer emotional and practical
Solution(£14.99,Headline)
The word doula actually comes from ancient support before and after the birth of the baby.
Greek and means to serve. In essence, that is We hold a hand, offer massages, carry bags,
remind birth partners to eat and drink, and
what we as doulas do – we serve the expectant
WORDS CATHERINE BALL Ockwell-Smith navigate all the choices and challenges that list’. We can help protect the space, offer
remember what was included in the birth ‘wish
mother and her birth partner, and help them to
Behaviour
support, and provide information to women
may arise on their journey into motherhood.
Sarah
when they might be at their most vulnerable.
But doulas are not midwives and, while they
know a lot about the natural processes and
The aim of a doula is to soothe, calm and
isauthorofThe
allow a mother to birth as she wishes. Find
what can be offered medically, they are not
GentleParenting
there to advise. Rather, they are there to
Book(£13.99,Piatkus)
one near you at doula.org.uk. CM
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