Doula is a Greek word, meaning ‘woman caregiver’, which is now used to refer to a woman who is trained to support women and their partners through labour, birth and the early weeks of parenting.

Throughout history, in almost every culture, birthing women have relied upon support from another woman or women in their community and the experience of birth they had to offer. As birth moved from home to hospital, birthing women became increasingly isolated from their traditional support networks. 

A doula aims to bridge this gap by providing a continuous reassuring presence throughout labour and birth.

Doulas are trained in natural techniques for comfort during labour such as using water, relaxation and positioning. A doula can be an advocate for your wishes as well as a source of unbiased, evidence-based information. Doulas are not medically trained and do not perform clinical tasks.

Most importantly, a doula is a constant source of physical and emotional support for women and their partners throughout the life-changing experience of birth.

Hospital maternity units can be very busy places and midwives are often called away to attend to other labouring women. In many cases the midwife will be unknown to the mother prior to labour. A doula can provide a familiar face and a continuity of care that is often otherwise unavailable.

Randomised controlled trials of continuous doula support have shown:

• 45% reduction in caesarean rate
  
• 25% reduction in length of labour
  
• up to 60% reduction in requests for epidural
  
• 34% reduction in need for forceps
  
• 31% reduction in use of pain medication
  
• 50% reduction in use of synthetic oxytocin*

As a doula, I see my role as a source of information, as an advocate for your wishes and as a source of emotional and physical support before, during and after your birth. I do not replace your partner, but rather give them reassurance that they are not alone in supporting you.

I am committed to giving pregnant women confidence in their innate ability to birth their babies in an environment in which they feel nurtured and safe.

I believe that having a strong and knowledgeable support team is the key to a positive birth experience.

Please note that the following is a guide only. Every woman is unique and has unique needs.

As your doula, I will meet with you and your partner in your home 2 to 3 times before your due date to get to know you and to become familiar with your experiences and expectations. I will be available to speak with you over the phone if you need extra support or reassurance. I am also building a library of resources about labour, birth and parenting that will be available for you to borrow.

During labour I will be on call and available to you as soon as you feel I am needed. I will meet you in your home in labour, transfer to hospital or birth centre with you and will remain with you until a few hours after birth.

Post-natally, I will visit with you to de-brief the birth and answer any questions you might have. If you need extra support during this period, this can be arranged.

Cara McDonald
phone: 02 4784 1928
mobile: 0421 210072

email: cara@birthnurture.org

Areas covered: Blue Mountains, Penrith, Western Sydney, Hawkesbury, Richmond, Lithgow.