When we think back to childbirth in western society in days of yore, or in many less- developed communities still today, the woman laboured in the company of other women: her own mum, aunties, sisters, experienced women from her village. We lost that over time, and mothers and babies – and society at large – are paying the price.

This is where doulas come in: we get to know mum during her pregnancy then support her as a knowledgeable friend during her labour and birth. If mum can (and wants to) have her partner, family member and/or trusted friend with her during this time, fantastic! -but if those people don’t have much experience with labour & birth, they won’t be able to provide the full support that mum needs, and it isn’t entirely fair to expect them to provide support around something they don’t know a whole lot about. A birth doula is intimately familiar with natural physiologic birth as well as induction, birthing aids (instruments & drugs), options (positions & alternative therapies) and caesarean sections. A birth doula helps mum prioritise her values and put them down in writing into a birth plan, then helps her implement her birth plan and provides the support that she wants. During the postpartum period, a doula can provide experienced support, a much-needed extra pair of hands or an ear & shoulder.