If you don't look after yourself in the work no one else will. Becoming a doula... working as a doula is one of the most rewarding things I've ever done but it can also be hard! Emotionally, physically and spiritually hard!

You need to learn to maintain yourself ... fill that cup to over flowing so you can show up for your clients!

If, like us here at the OBC, you are a fellow birth geek, I’m betting that you have come across many posts on social media describing the benefits of counter pressure and biomechanics when used to support the body during labour and birth.

Social media platforms are flooded with videos and posts demonstrating these techniques, often portraying them as miracle cures for labour pain and the solution to an easy straightforward birth.

A physiological plateau or pause during the process of labour is something we see a lot as doulas supporting people to have physiological births (that’s unmedicated and unaugmented). There are many reasons they can occur and can occur at different points within labour … naturally not because something or someone has intervened.

It’s World Doula Week 2024 and this year's theme is “Doula Support You”!

People often ask me what makes doulas unique within maternity care and my answer is that doulas work for you and no one else.

We only work for our clients and no one else. We are not responsible to an employer (NHS or private company) or a professional body setting out exactly what we can and can’t do. for our registration which means we have true autonomy in our work.

This means the support we provide is as unique as you and your pregnancy are. We are able to advocate for your needs and wishes. That is our only agenda. We have no judgement around how you should give birth, where or with whom.

Blog feature highlighting where in the UK you can find OBC Doulas, and what it’s like for them where they work. Part 1, Leanne of Doula Diary in the Cumbria, Lake District