Doula Services

Would you like to have the most memorable childbirth experience ever!? Would you like a trained professional who is concerned about you and only you during your labour/childbirth? 

Would you like someone to attend clinical appointments with you when your partner is not available? Would you like someone to massage your feet, help you relax, coach you through breathing techniques during labour/childbirth? Would you like someone to provide the right aromatherapy for you during childbirth? Wouldn't it be nice if someone could give your partner a break during labour? Would you like someone who will ensure that your birth plan is accomplished where it is safe to do so? Would you like someone to assist you draw up a realistic birth plan?  Wouldn't it be awesome if someone could assist you in establishing breastfeeding for your new baby as soon as possible? 

Would you like someone who simply wants to serve you in labour and childbirth? If your answer is yes to any of the questions, then the person you want is me. 

Who Is A Doula And How Does She Differ From A Midwife

A doula is an assistant who is trained to provides physical, emotional and informational support to mothers-to-be and their partners before, during labour and in the immediate postnatal period.  She works alongside physicians, midwives and nurses in  a non-medical capacity. Doula means "a woman who serves"

A midwife is a qualified professional from an institution of her country, which enables her to help a pregnant woman in delivering a baby. Midwife means "being with woman"

The World Health Organization defines a midwife as: A person who, having been regularly admitted to a midwifery educational program that is duly recognized in the country in which it is located, has successfully completed the prescribed course of studies in midwifery and has acquired the requisite qualifications to be registered and/or legally licensed to practice midwifery. The educational program may be an apprenticeship, a formal university program, or a combination.

I am BOTH! I am a UK trained midwife with over 10 years experience of working with women to achieve safe delivery both at home and in the hospitals. I have been the key medical person in the delivery of over 100 normal births.

However, as my career unfolded I found that I am no longer "being with the woman" because childbirth has become so medicalized. I found that I am constantly trying to keep up with the machineries, paper work and protocol that it became near impossible for me to actually be "with the woman" to give her the emotional and physical support she needs during labour and delivery.

I do believe what families need most during pregnancy and childbirth is a nurturing and gentle support. I believe that each pregnancy, labour and childbirth is a unique and miraculous experience that cannot be replicated. I recognize childbirth as a key experience you would remember all your life, therefore  I would want to assist you in:

• Developing a realistic birth plan
• Advocate for you during labour to ensure that your birth plan is actualized where it is safe to do so
• Stay with you throughout your labour
• Facilitate communication between you, your partner and your clinical provider
• Work with you and your partner to ensure his/her participation in labour at his/her comfort level
• Help establish initial breastfeeding.

For a doula with the qualification and experience of a midwife, contact me at julesfitnex@gmail.com. I am here to be that "woman who serves" you.