Welcome to the Greenwich Doulas Website
Greenwich Doulas - an essential support service for new families
Meet the Doulas - click on the link!
What is a Doula?
A Doula is a woman who supports mothers-to-be, during birth and in the first few weeks after baby's birth. She is first and foremost the mother's advocate and friend. Generally the Doula is an experienced mother herself and understands the overwhelming feelings that go together with giving birth. A Doula is a good listener and a caring pair of hands. The main role of the Doula is 'mothering the mother'
Why do I need a Doula?
New mothers often find that after all the attention they receive during pregnancy, once they give birth they are left very much on their own to cope with their newborn baby. Health professionals offer some support in the first few days but only visit for a short period of time. Many mothers feel the need for a continuing support during the first few weeks after giving birth.
In this day and age it is not often that new mothers can count on the support of close family members. Their own mothers might be far away, unavailable or otherwise too busy, there might be no other relative at hand, partners are not necessarily there to support and some mothers do not have a partner at all. Some women might have relatives nearby but prefer not to depend on them. Sometimes people are unintentionally insensitive when giving advice to new mothers and many women feel that after birth they are overwhelmed by the overabundance of conflicting, if well-meaning, advice, freely dispensed by friends, relatives or even by the kind lady down at the newsagents!
A Doula is there to support the mother. She will provide advice when requested but the advice will be unbiased, neutral and non-judgemental. The Doula's role is first and foremost to be there for the mother.
A Doula will provide company, support, practical help and a friendly, non-obtrusive presence to help new mothers come to terms with tme myriad of overwhelming feelings that accompany the arrival of a new baby. The Doula rejoices with the mother's happiness and supports her when she is sad. The Doula's role is
"Mothering the Mother".Some points to keep in mind:
A Doula is a mother's supporter, not a medical professional. She will not provide nursing or midwifery advice or services
A Doula can normally do light housework, some cooking, shopping, sibling care and she will receive or screen visitors
A Doula will do her utmost to help the mother bond with her baby and at all times will respect the precious nature of this process