" Keeping birth yours."
Congratulations on your pregnancy, or on your new arrival! Exciting times lay ahead, times full of love, laughter and much joy.
I hope you find this site useful in answering any questions you may have about doulas. If you would like any further information, please don't hesitate to get in touch.
Emily x
The word 'Doula' comes from the ancient Greek meaning 'a woman who serves' and is now used to refer to a trained and experienced professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the mother (and father) before, during and just after birth; or who provides emotional and practical support during the post-birth period.
A doula is not medically trained and is not there to replace health professionals or to offer any medical advice or perform any clinical tasks (blood pressure check, internal examinations, palpation etc).
A doula is, however, able to provide research based evidence in order for the woman (or couple) to make informed decisions on how they wish to labour, birth and feed their baby. She may also offer books, DVD's, articles and websites related to each womans needs.
According to studies, rather than reducing the father's participation in the process, a Doula's support complements and reinforces the father's role. Fathers feel more enthusiastic and that their contribution to the labour and birth is meaningful and helpful. Not only do fathers report higher levels of satisfaction after the birth, but mothers report feeling more satisfied with their partner's role at birth too.
Benefits of having a doula
Research has shown that woman who have a doula as a continuous support during labour are: (trial findings by Drs. Kennell and Klaus)
......less likely to give birth by cesarean section
......less likely to give birth with forceps or ventouse
......less likely to use use any analgesia or anasthesia
......less likely to be dissatisfied, or negatively rate, their birth experience
I am Emily! I am extrememly lucky to be married to a wonderfully supportive man and have two beautiful daughters, aged 12 and 9 years. I come from England and lived there until 2004, when our little family unit moved to Abu Dhabi.
In 2008 I trained to be a doula with Nurturing Birth, UK, and in 2009 I also attended the DONA (Doulas of North America) training course. I qualified as a certified Nurturing Birth doula in early 2011.
What wonderful and inspirational courses they were! They fired my passion for birth and gave me confidence that I could work with couples to achieve the best possible birth experience for them, by helping them understand birth, by providing other points of view from those that they may have heard, and by reminding women that they can trust their bodies, trust their baby, trust their instincts, that they are strong and competent and able to have a safe, fulfilling, empowering and positive birth experience.
I attended my first birth in April 2009, and since then have had the privilege of supporting a further 12 couples as a birth doula, as well as several new mothers as a post-natal doula. What an honour it is to be there at such a moment of joy, each pregnancy, labour and birth being so unique, but so very special each time.
With heavy hearts we left Abu Dhabi in September 2010, and moved just across The Gulf to Doha, where I continued to doula and supported a couple at their first birth.
The family decided it was time to move back 'home' and so returned to England in June 2011, where we now live, in Pangbourne, Berkshire. I am very excited to continue my doula journey by supporting couples during pregnancy, labour, birth and the early weeks with a newborn.
The doula journey never ends, it is filled with ongoing learning, laughter, memories and most of all.......love.
'' If a doula were a drug, it would be unethical not to use it.' John H. Kennell, MD
' Birth is the sudden opening of a window, through which you look out upon a stupendous prospect. For what has happened? A miracle. You have exchanged nothing for the possibility of everything.' William MacNeile Dixon
' The wisdom and compassion a woman can intuitively experience in childbirth can make her a source of healing and understanding for other women.' Stephen Gaskin
' You do not have to be a particularly strong or brave or relaxed person to get through labour. You just need to be a woman.' The Big Book of Birth
' If I don't know my options, I don't have any.' Diana Korte
' Birth is not only about making babies. Birth is about making mothers - strong, competent, capable mothers who trust themselves and know their inner strength.' Barbara Katz Rothman
' Childbirth is an experience in a woman's life that holds the power to transform her forever. Passing through these powerful gates - in her own way - remembering all the generations of women who walk with her........ she is never alone.' Suzanne Arms
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My husband and I used Emily as our Doula for the birth of our baby boy and cannot say enough how glad we are to have had her support. As a first time mother and without family nearby, I knew I would need her support.
Before and during birth, I enjoyed her calming personality. There were many moments during labor that were difficult, but I had her calming but strong voice in my ear helping me to get through each contraction.
She had taken the time before the birth to learn about me, my husband, our preferences, likes and dislikes. She knew and cared about what we wanted.
We will definitely use her services again. My husband and I think of her as a friend and continue to talk about how grateful we are that we found her and had her there for the birth of our baby boy. K, T and baby L, May '09, Abu Dhabi
I found the idea of giving birth in a foreign country away from my family and friends very daunting .... until Emily agreed to be my doula. Emily made me feel completely at ease. Her friendly but professional attitude allowed me to feel really confident and excited about my upcoming birth and new baby. Before the birth she helped me to make informed decisions about what sort of birth I wanted and where I would be most comfortable having my new baby. Emily helped me form a fantastic birth plan, and to realise it, making the birth of my fourth baby a wonderful experience. I would not hesitate to recommend Emily to anyone, she was so amazing that I can not thank her enough for all she did for me and my family.
Your the BEST Emily. G, T and baby H, Jan '10, Abu Dhabi
Being pregnant and delivering a first child in a foreign country, without the physical support of close friends and family is a daunting and million-question time for any couple. It was important to us that the father was not lumbered with the responsibiliy of being an advocate during birth, but was free to ride with the emotions of the day with the mother.
Having Emily as our Doula, gave us confidence that we would both be able to get through the whole pregnancy and birth process with an honest, down to earth and empathetic support person who could also express our wants and needs during the birth and in the precious moments afterwards.
Emily provided confidence that birth was not something to be scared of and also many many helpful tools and resources for pain management, birth preparation and coping with pregnancy niggles!
I would classify a fantastic Doula, such as Emily, (especially when one is not delivering in their home country), as important on the baby items checklist as a cot and pram and we both hope that Emily can be our Doula for any future pregnancies we are fortunate to have.
Thank You Emily. V, C and baby A, June '10, Abu Dhabi
Emily was one of the first people we told our exciting news to! We contacted her when I was only 6-weeks along and she supported us through the entire pregnancy. Emily provided us with a wealth of information at the first meeting, and continually throughout our journey. She was extremely committed to supporting the type of birth that we wanted for our child, and even joined in all of our hypnobirthing sessions! During my surprisingly long labour Emily was constantly there to support my husband and me. She facilitated open communication with the medical service providers and advocated for my birthing preferences. When our son entered the world Emily was quick to take photos that will forever be family keepsakes, including the clock with the exact time of birth! Emily continued to support our family in the days following delivery, always quick to answer all of the questions surrounding new parenthood. We look back on the miracle of pregnancy and birth with absolute joy and happiness. Emily was such a big part of this important time in our lives and we are so thankful to have had her as our birth doula. R, B and baby J, Aug '10, Abu Dhabi
My promise as your Doula
1. You cannot hurt my feelings in labour.
2. I will not lie to you in labour.
3. I will do everything in my power so you do not suffer.
4. I will help you to feel safe.
5. I cannot speak for you; but I will make sure that you have a voice and I will make sure you are heard.
" I look forward to hearing from you! Until then, take care. Sending warm wishes to you and your growing family."
Email :
emilymarshdoula_gmail.com
Phone :
0118 984 4479
07714 461385
Services
Birth Doula Package
2 or 3 ante-natal sessions, lasting approximately 1.5-2 hours each. We will use this time to get know each other, to discuss how we would work best together as a team, to talk about how you would like your birth to be and how you can best achieve it, this is also a good oppurtunity to debrief any previous births, and any fears you may have about the upcoming birth. I am happy to offer books, relevant evidence-based articles and DVD's.
24 hour on-call period from weeks 38-42 of your pregnancy (if you have a history of premature birth this can be adjusted to suit you, equally if you do go into labour before my official on-call period starts, or after it ends, I will do my very best to be with you).
Continuous support from when you feel you need me in labour, through birth and until you feel comfortable with your new baby (usually between 2-6 hours after the birth)
2 post-natal visits, lasting approximately 1.5 hours each. We can use this time to discuss the birth, your feelings on becoming a mother, any worries or questions you may have regarding feeding or babycare. Please note that I do not offer baby weight checks.
£500 (plus travel expenses of 40p per mile for distances over 10 miles, and parking costs, if applicable.)
Post-Natal Doula Rates
I am available to work from 9am-3pm, or within those hours (minimum 3 hour session per day and minimum 12 hours overall). Please ask if you would like me outside of those hours, as it will sometimes be possible if my husband is at home.
My role will be to look after you, so you can look after your baby. I will provide practical and emotional support, help you to establish confidence with breastfeeding or bottle feeding, assist with any thing that needs to be done e.g looking after your other children, doing the laundry, preparing meals for you and your family, running errands, shopping , looking after baby while you catch up on sleep etc.
I will do my very best to ensure that you feel confident and supported to care for your newborn baby.
Cost: £10 per hour (plus travel expenses of 40p per mile for disatances over 10 miles, and parking costs, if applicable.)
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