May 22
Occasionally you hear that story of the girl who discovers she’s pregnant the moment she goes into labour…. I have no doubt that these stories are true, but they are perhaps a little on the margin!
For the rest of us, especially those with a longing and a reasonable amount of self-awareness, we want to know what our bodies are up to and are keen to read its signs.
Thinking about heading out in your highest heels for a night on the town? Don’t do it, your baby will be born, cross-eyed.
Stop eating those strawberries! They cause strawberry-skin blemishes on your newborn.
Baby born with a flock of hair? It’s because you experienced so much heart-burn and indigestion whilst pregnant.
For the most part, the final stretch of pregnancy is spent asking the final down and dirty questions about labour and beyond. Discussions that include formerly un-speakable subjects: maxi-pads, stool softeners and Sits Baths, become common-place.
No longer the cigar-pending, jumpy but blameless and innocent bystander. Labour is a massive task, requiring the greatest support and it’s dad that’s expected to be up-to-date and on-task.
Having complete and comprehensive labour know-how, whilst remaining entirely peace-loving is dad’s duty. Sounds supernatural, and it is. However, as much as your partner might strive for this hero-status, the stakes are high and it can get dicey.
The word ‘doula’ is a Greek word and it means to ‘mother the mother’. A perfect job description.
As a doula, I’m not medically trained, like a midwife, nor do I have the expertise to deliver a baby. But what I do offer is a supportive role in the journey of a pregnant woman. I support her in many ways and I work with her, to create a positive and memorable birth.
