What is a Doula? What do they do?

That is indeed a really hard question. Here are some definitions I found on Google.

This doesn’t really explain – so I made my own definition.

This Doula ….

But this doesn’t really explain either. 

There are many types of doulas, for me a doula is someone who is “with woman”, the main focus of my work focuses on conception, sometimes preconception, through to raising children, but I support woman at many stages, during happy and joyous times and times of deep trauma and sadness.

I provide support to women and families who want to have children, I hold their hands when they give birth, I help them to enjoy the post natal period, I support them through raising their children in my positive parenting group.

I have supported women post loss, post termination who felt they didn’t “deserve” to have another baby, punishing themselves emotionally for events in the past.

Nothing can explain that I had a 6th sense during the “Beast From The East“, that my client, who was showing no signs of giving birth, was about to go in labour, meaning that I got in a strangers 4*4 and slept there the night, so she and her partner wouldn’t be alone. 

No definition can explain me running out into the street when I saw a gritter in it and asking the driver and crew to dig out a path to her house, so that we could get out if we needed to.

I can’t find a summary to show how my gut feeling was right and she went into full, active labour at 6 am, while I held her hands, supported her partner, spoke to the 999 operator and remained in the house with their other child as she went in.

Nothing can show arranging for a 4*4 to pick up the father from hospital when he was ready.

But this is what I do – expect the unexpected.

I also do ante natal education including 121, birth trauma work, loss support, post natal work, occasional baby sitting and anything that involves supporting women.

I literally do anything and everything you can think a family might need, from the moment there is even the thought they may have a baby, be that a first baby, a 3rd baby or a fifth baby, through to when they are self sufficient and feel they don’t need my additional support any more (except ironing – I hate ironing), as well as running a Positive Parenting Group for parents of children of all ages.

I am a MoonCup affiliate, Neals Yard Organics and NomNom Organic Baby and Pregnancy product reseller.

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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.

“Your Journey, Your Body, Your Baby, Your Birth“

NomNom Organic Products  Neals Yard Organics.