New Fab & Fun Antenatal Teacher On Board

[Louise at Bump Buddies]

Hi all

I'm Louise and my business is Bump Buddies.
I'm currently a Doula and am booked for my last birth :-(
I am sad but as much as I love being part of peoples' births - it burns cash - its a real loss maker.
So I am now focussing on teaching antenatal to expecting parents.
The difference is I teach specifically to "you" ie not to a group, in your own home at a time convenient to you. My sessions are completely centred around your choices in birth, parenting and feeding. No cold village halls, no stigma on choices just ALL the facts you need, some help for you to lose the worry and lastly a bit of fun (necessary when you are discussing some elements of childbirth ahem!!).

If anyone reading on here has any pregnancy / birth issues that I can help with by email just message me. It's free as I list my business on here (MLS) for free - so its good karma and gives me chance to demo my knowledge....

For now thanks for the opportunity to join and learn from others and happy midweek people! x

[tomsk]

Lousie for those who do not know what a "Doula " is can you explain.

I know a little as an Aussie women I knew was one - sort of like a midwife come baby coach?

[Louise at Bump Buddies]

Hiya

Thanks - I never thought (and I should have as I always get asked when trying to sort insurance etc!)

A Doula is very basically a birth companion. We are not medically trained but are often educated in childbirth. We are there to support and reassure couples that what is happening is normal and that everything is ok. Normally that would be a midwife's role but not often the same midwife will be present all the way through and are often busy writing notes, checking monitors etc.
We are on call for 4 weeks around the due date but are in contact and visiting families to be from time of booking.

Also to clarify my new role - I also train as an antenatal teacher so from being a Doula I have the benefit when I teach of having actual experience as well as the best information.

Thanks again for asking xx

[sjr4x4]

Hi Louise, welcome aboard our merry band

Will confess to never have heard of a Doula before

Is this something couples would have for a homebirth, or is it primarily aimed at single mums?

So I'm guessing this has its roots in some spiritual buddha type thing?

[Gemini]

Hello and welcome to the forum Louise.

Norman

[Louise at Bump Buddies]

Thanks guys

Yep alot of doulas are quite spiritual and earthy! It's noyt as hippy as it sounds though. Alot of people who hire doulas are couples who are scared and are especially worried about having a continuous source of reassurance and support. In most hospital births the midwives will change shifts at least once and often even if with you 100% of the time have a mountain of paperwork to do. A doula fills the gap of holding hands and reassuring that midwives used to do. Having said that alot of my clients have took me on because they want a homebirth and are facing opposition from the health service and I have been there to help them get that birth.

It's been fantastic experience and I'll be sad when my last client gives birth but I now have amazing real life experience to back up what I teach

Hope you're all having a great weekend x

[VirtuallyMary]

I always liked the idea of a Doula as someone who would basically get to know me, understand my particular physical quirks and needs, and then be there to stick up for me while I'm going through a terrifying process with which they are familiar, and I am not.

As you say, so many midwives are rushed off their feet, trying to "manage" several ladies at once, there's little continuity and little personal support. Partners are lovely but they haven't necessarily been through the birth experience (from the adult end and, in most cases, the female end) before and they may be inclined to panic, or to be confused about what's normal and what isn't. We're no longer in a society where a woman's mother will have popped out a dozen kids of her own and therefore be able to offer the benefit of experience... so it's reassuring that there are people filling that role.

But I can see how it would be an expensive service to offer. Antenatal in the home sounds nice. Are you planning to extend to postnatal support as well?

[Louise at Bump Buddies]

Hiya Mary

Yes I currently offer postnatal services as part of the Doula role. I hope that once the basic antenatal classes are up and running I would like to try and offer a crash postnatal course for people struggling with feeding, sleep issues etc etc.
Thanks for your questions everyone lovely forum!!