Birth Doula Support

Giving birth is an intense physical and emotional experience. It can make a big difference to have someone there to understand and support you.

Throughout the ages, birthing women have been comforted and reassured by other experienced women. Today, things aren’t the same. So you can choose to have a professional labor support person called a doula (DOO-lah; Greek for "woman who serves") who is trained to provide women with supportive care during childbirth

Doula is a professional trained in childbirth who provides emotional, physical, and educational support to a mother who is expecting and giving birth. The doula’s purpose is to hold this space for the birthing women and support her to have a safe, memorable and satisfying birthing experience.

While doulas have good knowledge and awareness of the birth process, a doula does not support the mother-to-be in a medical role. That is the job of the midwife or doctor. A doula helps the mother-to-be to experience the birth she hopes for. Should a birth become complicated, a doula will still remain by your side and help you make the best of the situation. She will not make decisions for you, but she will assist you through the decision making process. A doula provides balanced information so the couple can make their own choices. 

Many women consider doulas to be very helpful, especially for those giving birth in a hospital. Due to the over-medicalisation of birth, inductions of labor have skyrocketed and numerous babies now born via c-section. By amping up your support team with experienced, continuous care from a doula, you're giving yourself an increased chance at a better experience.  

Evidence shows that having Doula can:

 - Reduce the risk of a c-section by 39% 

 - Increase the likelihood of a spontaneous vaginal birth by 15%. 

- Lower the need for medical pain relief by 10%

- Shorter labors : by 41 minutes on average 

- Healthier babies : Decrease in baby’s risk of a low five minute Apgar score by 38%

- Reduce the risk of reporting a negative birth experience by 31%

IN-PERSON DOULA SUPPORT (Bangalore):

Doula service includes:

1. Two or three prenatal meetings to get to know each other, hear out your expectations, fears, concerns and discuss your birthing preferences
2. Help you make a birth plan
3. Accompany you for one of the doctor’s appointments if needed
4. 24/7 availability on phone for all your questions or concerns
5. Accompany you once your labor sets in until after birth
6. Help establish breastfeeding right after birth (wherever possible)
7. Atleast one postpartum visit to see how you are and to review your feelings about your birth.

What the doula will not do:

• Not do anything medical (but we’ll work alongside those who do as a team)
• Not speak for you - I will however help facilitate communication with care providers
• Not replace the role of your partner (husband/family member)
• Cannot guarantee any specific birth outcome and cannot be held accountable in any way

Service Fees: The fee for the doula support package this is approximately Rs. 25,000 - 30,000 depending on your specific requirements. We would be happy to discuss this further with you and share a customised proposal. 

REMOTE  DOULA SUPPORT (India and Overseas) :

In the current times of the pandemic, we have also started to offer doula support remotely to couples across India and some abroad.  We have worked out an approach where we have multiple video interactions during your pregnancy. These meetings are meant to understand you, make a birth plan, help your partner feel ready and more. We will also help you review your feelings closer to birth, help you stay calm and confident and remain available remotely to you and your partner throughout the course of labor. 

In essence, we offer emotional and informational support and also guide you and your birth partner with physical labor support. We have offered this to several couples in the last year or so and you are welcome to read some of these birth stories to know what it meant to them. 

Combined with a good birth prep class,  we have seen this model of support work!

DO DROP AND EMAIL FOR MORE INFO! 

If my spouse/partner will be there do I really need a Birth Doula?

A Doula is someone who has special experience and education to provide support in labour. While a partner may be your perfect emotional support, it’s quite unrealistic for them to remember everything they learned in childbirth classes or to remain unemotionally involved in the experience. A Doula is not there to replace your partner in any way. In fact, most support people will say that their Doula helped them become more involved in the birth experience by encouraging them to do things they wouldn’t have thought of.

My doctor will not allow me to have a doula!

Many doctors are not very aware of what doulas do. They may assume that she will interfere or complicate their relationship with you. When your doctor understands that your doula is here only to support you and help you have a better birth experience, there should be no reason to "not allow" her.  A supportive care provider should encourage you to have a strong birth team of your choice. Another suggestion is to show your care provider the statistics on doulas and their benefits. The evidence is overwhelming! Taking your doula to meet with your doctor is a way to bridge this possible gap.

What's my doula's role if I end up needing several medical interventions or a c-section?

Your doula is there to support you though your birth journey however it goes. She will continue to be there for you as needed even if the birth gets medicalised. She can help you understand and integrate what's going on, make informed choices, support you emotionally and help you make the best of the circumstances.  

I really want a doula, but I can’t afford one. Now what?

Doulas are professionals with a significant amount of training and an unparalleled dedication to their clients. Doulas leave holiday and birthday dinners for their clients. They work for sometimes 24 hours to support clients through difficult births. This specialised service is really worth every cent. However, please discuss your financial constraint with us and we will try our best to make this affordable for you.

If you are considering hiring a doula but are not too sure on what to expect and whether you really want it.. No problem. Take it step wise.

• Step 1 : Go through all information on this site - who is a doula, what we offer, FAQs and also Read about doula Neha's story, qualifications & experience
• Step 2: Read some of the birth stories and testimonials of clients
• Step 3: Book a prenatal consultation with Neha were she will understand your needs and help make a suitable plan
• Step 4: Join our amazing group Lamaze childbirth classes conducted online
• Step 5 :  Discuss with your partner and think about whether this is something that you would value. Write to us!