All About Doulas – A Collection of Articles, Blogs and Videos.
“Although continuous support can also be offered by birth partners, midwives, nurses, or even some physicians, research has shown that with some outcomes, doulas have a stronger effect than other types of support persons. As such, doulas should be viewed by both parents and providers as a valuable, evidence-based member of the birth care team”.
Cochrane – Continuous Support For Women During Childbirth
“Continuous support in labour may improve a number of outcomes for both mother and baby, and no adverse outcomes have been identified. Continuous support from a person who is present solely to provide support, is not a member of the woman’s own network, is experienced in providing labour support, and has at least a modest amount of training (such as a doula), appears beneficial.”
Evidence Based Birth – Using A Doula For Pain Relief
“There’s a researcher in Sweden named Kerstin Uvnäs Moberg, who’s an expert in oxytocin, which is the hormone that most of us know about that causes contractions. It’s also known as the “love” hormone. She writes that doulas facilitate oxytocin release, which decreases your stress, fear or anxiety and increases the effectiveness of your contractions. In addition, the calming effect of the doula’s presence increases the mother’s own natural pain-relieving hormones, also known as endorphins. All together, these things make labor feel less painful.”
This is Doula UK – a lovely short video made by some of my doula colleagues.
100 Reasons To Hire A Doula and 1 Not To – many thanks to Mothering Magazine for this lovely article.
“1. She will stay with you for 40 hours, if that’s what it takes.
2. She works for YOU, not the hospital or provider.
3. She helps your partner be more involved.
4. You choose her, and she is who shows up. No ‘on call’ lottery.”
Impact of Doula On Healthy Birth Outcomes – evidence based review from the Journal Of Perinatal Education.
“All of the mothers were participants in a prenatal health and childbirth education program. Expectant mothers matched with a doula had better birth outcomes. Doula-assisted mothers were four times less likely to have a low birth weight (LBW) baby, two times less likely to experience a birth complication involving themselves or their baby, and significantly more likely to initiate breastfeeding”.
Um pouco sobre o lindo trabalho de uma doula! Vídeo para o Primeiro Siadoula! SiapartoDoulas:Cássia TozoCeline de KerchoveDaniela AndrettoGiovanna BaloghJanie PaulaMariana AmorosoMariana MesquitaPriscila CastanhoSuellen GodoyLúcia Desideri
Posted by Kátia Ribeiro on Sunday, 10 September 2017
The Ultimate Guide To Doulas This is a lovely guide to Doulas from American Website “Mom Loves Best”.
“I wasn’t convinced about the usefulness of a doula when I had my first child, but shortly afterward, I watched a friend go through her first pregnancy with the help of a doula. And I was impressed. It was like she had a helpful expert in her corner.
The doula never seemed too busy to answer questions like doctors sometimes do. And she was a soothing ally for my friend when she most needed it — on delivery day”
During labour and the 3rd stage I unfortunately had midwives who weren’t au fait with homebirth or physiological third stage and Sam was there, championing my rights and supporting my partner through some of the tougher parts. I love that she so fully respected my choices and demanded everyone else present to as well. Samantha was like a guardian angel – constantly there but rarely seen. Her presence was very reassuring, a calm, wise presence at the periphery of the action. Sam gave me the support and courage to write a birth plan that would help me get the birth I wanted. I can’t thank Sam enough for answering questions and giving support and just providing a listening ear. She was massively helpful and at the birth it was fantastic to have a calm presence to hold my hand, provide assistance and general be a fantastic pillar of support amongst the bedlam. Love Samantha. Love her work. Highly recommended for all pregnant mammas! I recommend you to everyone – mother, grandmother, aunt who is going through what should be a beautiful event but so often becomes difficult. Even straight forward births are frightening the first time. Sam was actually my doula and you can’t really get a recommendation than that! …… She is amazing. Samantha Gadsden, I now have the birth plan in place I wanted but did not have the confidence or knowledge to fight for on my own. Thank you so much xxxx I can’t thank you enough Sam. …… she was able to have some control in a very clinical environment. Samantha provided me with all the information I needed to make informed decisions during my pregnancy and empowered me to be confident with making my voice heard. There was nothing Sam would not do to help, she was an amazing support to us, a great photographer and like an old friend as we all sat in front of the fire after Honor’s birth, sharing tea and softly chatting until the sun came up. Her work as a doula goes beyond what you expect with her constant care and consideration for your personal circumstances. Sam is an honest, caring lady. She is very passionate about her love of life and birth. Sam facilitated my Mother Blessing and it was an amazing day. I had a lot of ideas and Sam took the time to listen and talk though them all with me and help me create a really magical day. Sam is non judgemental, open, honest, passionate, very well educated in all things pregnancy, childbirth & beyond and I would highly recommend her to anyone having any worries, doubts, anxiety or stress about giving birth. Sam has a knack for being able to recognise the needs of the mother and unobtrusively meet those needs. I couldn’t have gotten through the birth of my second child without Sam. She came out during terrible weather in the snow, when I needed her most, pitching up on my sofa overnight not really knowing if he were to arrive that night but just in case I could feel her joy during the whole process and this made labour feel as celebratory as the moment my baby was born.42 weeks plus homebirth, Rhondda, South Wales.
Waterbirth, Freebirth, Pontyclun, South Wales
Vaginal Birth After Caesarean, Caerphilly, South Wales
Homebirth After Miscarriage, Neath, Abertawe Bro Morganwwyg University Health Board
Home Birth, Newport.
Creating Your Positive Birth Day, Cardiff, South Wales.
Amazing Online Support
The Doulas Doula – Freebirth, Pontypridd South Wales
Vaginal Birth After Caesarean, Caerphilly, South Wales
My Daughter’s Caesarean Birth, Cardiff South Wales.
Beautiful Home Birth After Previous Trauma
Freebirth, Pontypridd, South Wales
Home Birth, Caerphilly, South Wales.
Caesarean Under General Anesthetic Post Miscarriage.
Mother Blessing, Cardiff, South Wales
Birth Trauma, Reframing, Cardiff, South Wales.
Home Birth, Cardiff, South Wales
Consultant Led Birth (In The Snow) – Royal Gwent Hospital
First Time Mum, Natural Homebirth, South Wales
Samantha Gadsden walks with women on their life’s journeys. She is an experienced Doula, based close to Cardiff in South Wales, mother to 4 children and wife to Eddie, more information can be found on her facebook page, Samantha Gadsden Doula and her website, Caerphilly Doula.
If you are interested in writing a guest blog or sharing a life or birth story please feel free to contact her HERE.
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