The importance of antenatal support from doulas

Pregnancy is a transformative journey, filled with anticipation, joy, and sometimes anxiety and fear. As the body undergoes significant changes, so does the mind.

During this crucial period, the support and guidance provided by antenatal doulas can make a profound difference. Doulas & birth workers are known for their role during labour and birth but did you know the continuity of support antenatally from a doula can also have a hugely positive impact on people’s experiences of pregnancy and birth?

So why are we any different to the midwife (or ‘midwives’, depending on shift changes and length of labour) that supports the client in the birth space?

Everything that happens during a birth begins in the antenatal period. Offering education, building relationships, trust and ensuring continuity of care are fundamental to improving people’s birth experiences. Let’s dive into the importance of antenatal work from a doula's perspective!

Trust is the cornerstone of the doula-client relationship. The antenatal period is a time to build this trust, which is essential for providing effective, positive support during labour and into the postnatal period.

1. Personal Connection: Through regular antenatal sessions and communication, doulas establish a personal connection with the family. This relationship allows for open and honest conversations, where parents feel comfortable sharing their fears, hopes, and questions.

2. Emotional Support: Pregnancy can bring about a range of emotions. A doula offers a non-judgmental space for parents to express their feelings, providing reassurance and empathy.

3. Advocacy: Trust also involves advocacy. Doulas help parents feel confident in their decisions and advocate for their preferences during medical appointments and hospital interactions. One of the primary roles of a doula during the antenatal period is to educate expectant parents. Pregnancy can be overwhelming with the all

of information available, much of which is conflicting. A doula helps to navigate this sea of information, providing evidence-based resources and personalised guidance.

Doulas educate parents about the stages of pregnancy, labour, and birth. This includes what to expect at each stage, recognising the signs of labour, and understanding the different phases of labour. They assist in creating a birth plan that reflects the parent/s’ values and preferences, discussing various birthing options, comfort methods, and interventions.

Education extends to self-care practices, nutrition, exercise, and emotional well-being. Doulas can provide tips on maintaining physical health and managing stress, which is crucial for both the mother/parent and the baby.

Beyond birth, doulas prepare parents for the early days of parenting, covering topics like breastfeeding, newborn care, and postpartum recovery. Continuity of care is a significant aspect of a doula's role and is currently filling a gap in the system that many NHS trusts are unable to fulfill. Unlike many healthcare providers, doulas offer continuous support

throughout the antenatal, birth, and postpartum periods. Knowing that the same supportive figure will be there from pregnancy to

postpartum provides immense comfort and consistent presence to expectant parents. This consistency helps reduce anxiety and fosters a sense of security.

Many Doulas & Birth Workers look at the pregnancy journey holistically, understanding the physical, emotional and psychological aspects of care. This comprehensive approach ensures that all needs are met

throughout the different stages of pregnancy. The transition from pregnancy to labour and then to postpartum can be seamless with a doula. They provide a familiar face and continued support, helping parents adjust to each new phase with confidence.

From a doula's perspective, antenatal work is not just about preparing for the birth of the child; it's about nurturing the whole person and preparing for the birth of the Mother. The antenatal period is an opportunity to lay a strong foundation of knowledge, trust, and continuity that will support the family through one of the most significant events of

their lives.

The antenatal work that doulas do is invaluable. It goes beyond the clinical aspects of pregnancy, focusing on education, trust, and

continuous care. The evidence speaks for itself: https://evidencebasedbirth.com/the-evidence-for-doulas/

• Reduced risk of Caesarean birth † *.

• Reduced risk of instrumental birth † *.

• Reduced need for painkillers or epidural during birth † *.

• Reduced rate of induction of labour † *.

• Shorter labour †.

• Increased parental satisfaction with the birth experience. †

• Increased likelihood of initiating breastfeeding *.

• Increased likelihood of successfully establishing breastfeeding & breastfeeding at 6 weeks

• Lower incidence of depressive symptomatology †

• Improve equity and provide culturally responsive care#

Brigstocke S. MIDIRS Midwifery Digest, vol 24, no 2, 2014, pp 157-160

#Meghan A Bohren and Sarah Chapman Cochrane review

† Hodnett ED, Gates S, Hofmeyr G, Sakala C. Continuous support for women during

childbirth. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2013, Issue 7. Art. No.: CD003766.

DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD003766.pub5 and Bohren MA, Hofmeyr GJ, Sakala

C, Fukuzawa RK, Cuthbert A. Continuous support for women during childbirth. Cochrane

Database of Systematic Reviews 2017, Issue 7. Art. No.: CD003766. DOI:10.1002/14651858.CD003766.pub6.