What is a Birth keeper or Doula and what do they do?
What is a Birth Keeper?
A Birth Keeper (sometimes known as a doula or birth support) is a valuable member of the birth support team, providing holistic care and information to women and their families throughout the pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum journey and into new parenthood.
A birth keeper will also support and advocate for the women and families wishes during the transformative and sacred process of bringing new life into the world.
Birth Keepers prioritise the autonomy of women and have confidence and trust in them and their ability to give birth.
Birth Keeper and doulas can offer support through:
Emotional support throughout pregnancy, labour and postpartum
Education and Resources for informed decisions on pregnancy, birth and postpartum
Protecting the birth space
Massage, Acupressure and Rebozo
Help with babywearing, sleeping, feeding and changing
Light house duties and cooking
Facilitate mother’s blessing
Facilitate closing ritual
Support During Pregnancy:
A Birth Keeper offers prenatal care that goes beyond the medical aspects of pregnancy.
They help birthing individuals explore their desires, fears, and expectations for the birth experience. Birth Keepers help individuals to make informed choices regarding their birth plans, care providers, and birthing locations.
Continuous Support During Labor:
One of the pivotal roles of a Birth Keeper is providing continuous support during labour and childbirth. They offer emotional, physical, and informational support throughout the entire process.
When wanted by the women, Birth Keepers are trained in various comfort measures, such as relaxation techniques, massage, positioning, and breathing exercises to support the women.
A Birth Keeper acts as an advocate for the woman, ensuring her wishes and boundaries are respected. They facilitate effective communication between the women, their partner, and the medical team. Birth Keepers are skilled at bridging the gap between medical terminology and the language understood by the birthing family, ensuring that they have all the necessary information to make informed decisions.
Postpartum Care:
Birth Keepers also provide invaluable support during the postpartum period. They offer guidance on healing, infant feeding, emotional adjustment, physical recovery, and newborn care. Birth Keepers may assist with breastfeeding, provide referrals to appropriate resources, and create a nurturing environment for the birthing person's healing and well-being.
They can also help with light house duties such as cooking, cleaning, washing etc.
The Holistic Approach:
What sets Birth Keepers apart is their commitment to holistic care. They recognise that childbirth encompasses more than just the physical process. Birth Keepers honour the emotional, cultural, and spiritual aspects of birth, tailoring their support to the unique needs of each individual and family.
To find out more about the benefits of having a birth keeper or doula, click here
