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.
I really like the idea of having a Doula at my birth, for extra support and reassurance from someone who has been there before. Found the link to cara's site through one of the birth sites I have been reading. I Spoke with cara this morning over the phone and she seems really nice, she has 3 children and is going to come and meet with us here Monday July 2. I feel it will make the difference in the level of care I receive during labour & after birth. Its impossible in a busy labour ward to have a midwife there with you all the time & being the first time I know how I can get anxious when I feel out of control, Paul will be there for me but he will have no real understanding of the pain I will be in and that's where my Doula comes in to best support us both. The idea of labour has always freaked me out a bit now that I am looking down the tunnel at it I actually look forward to that part, I can see how it means I can meet my child and the outcome is much bigger and outweighs the fear of pain.
