• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

Nurturing Birth

Doula Courses | Education | Doula

  • Follow Nurturing Birth on Twitter
  • Follow Nurturing Birth on Facebook
  • Follow Nurturing Birth on Instagram

…here to nurture, inform and empower doulas and families

07305 044482 | info@nurturingbirth.co.uk

  • Home
  • What is a Doula?
  • Doula Training Courses
    • Expansive Course
      • Book the expansive course
    • Intensive Course
      • Book the intensive course
    • Distance Doula Course
      • Book the distance course
    • Upcoming Courses
    • Course Content
    • Book a Refresher Course
    • Costs and Payments
    • Gift vouchers
    • Terms and Conditions
  • Mentoring
    • Mentoring New Doulas
    • Mentoring Existing Doulas
    • Mentors
    • Becoming a mentor
  • Blog
  • Who we are
  • Find a doula
  • Retreats and workshops
    • Dreaming of being a Doula?
    • Supporting Every Birth
    • Nurturing Birth Virtual Retreat

doula

Doulas, birth, home and love

April 15, 2019

This article, written by Sophie Brigstocke, first appeared in the Journal of Holistic Healthcare, Summer 2017

How many lightbulb moments can you remember in your life?  Those moments when suddenly everything slots in to place, those jigsaw pieces re-arrange themselves and you see the whole picture for the first time. I see the same “eureka” moment happening time and time again – with the individual women and families I work with to the groups of new doulas I teach, and I am both excited to see the moment happening and saddened that the awareness wasn’t there before.  The moment I am talking about is around birth physiology – the understanding of how hormones work in labour and how they can be disturbed. 

If I ask a random group of people to describe what happens during birth then the most common responses involve contractions, waters breaking, dilation and pushing out a baby. With the amount of fear-mongering stories that people like to tell, and our media’s obsession with drama, there will often be vivid and horrifying descriptions – of women screaming, lying on their backs with their feet in stirrups, begging for pain relief, of torture-like instruments being wielded by white-clad strangers, lots of blood, a rush to the operating theatre, of life and death situations.  Just writing about it makes me feel nauseous and fearful.  However, it is incredibly rare in these conversations that anyone ever considers what is behind the physical sensations of birth. So, if we take a moment to look at what a woman’s body is doing during labour we can gain enormous clarity.    

The prime hormone of labour is Oxytocin.  The hormone of love.  Produced in the hypothalamus, the mammalian part of the human brain, it produces strong, effective contractions of the uterus – in the earlier part of labour contracting the muscles of the uterus upwards to draw open the cervix – and in the later stages causing effective downward surges, helping to push the baby down and out of the birth canal.  Endorphins, also produced in the same area of the brain, are released alongside oxytocin and are responsible for providing natural pain relief – nature’s friends working side by side – one generating strong physical feelings, the other any necessary relief.  So, in theory all should be well.  A woman will feel strong sensations but her body will provide a natural antidote. However, many women report feeling overwhelmed, in pain and/or out of control. So, what is happening and why is the body not able to deal more effectively with “pain”?

French Obstetrician, Michel Odent, describes oxytocin as a “shy” hormone.  And this is where a lot of the problems lie.  Oxytocin requires certain conditions to be produced, and is very easy to switch off.  If we consider one of the other instances in our lives when we produce oxytocin, it is perhaps easier to see how impactful a change of situation can be.  Picture yourself staying with your loved one in a beautiful hotel – a romantic setting where you have perhaps just eaten a delicious meal by candlelight, maybe enjoying a glass of champagne, and have moved from dining room to bedroom where you and your partner are alone to caress one another, undress and start to make love.  The atmosphere is loving, warm and intimate.  Suddenly, the fire alarm goes off – really loud sirens sounding, bright lights come on in the room and hotel staff rush in to shepherd you out to safety in the cold street.  It’s not surprising that those warm, loving, pre-orgasmic feelings instantly disappear!!! It would also be surprising if the mood could be recreated in a hurry!  Adrenalin, an oxytocin-killer, flooded the body when the fire alarm went off. It caused all levels of oxytocin to plummet, and endorphins too.  During birth, adrenalin has a place, but only in the later stages – usually a hit of adrenalin is released just prior to the pushing phase, giving the mother an energy surge and impetus to clear the final hurdle!  Any adrenalin released in the earlier stages of labour is generally detrimental.  

So, what are the main factors that impact oxytocin production and release?  If we consider a mammal birthing – a cat bringing her kittens in to the world for example – the likelihood is that she will choose a nesting place – somewhere dark, warm and quiet.  In my childhood home it was always the back of my Mum’s wardrobe, and once we realised that was where she wanted to be we would put a box, lined with old towels for her to cosy and settle herself in.  In our hotel scenario the environmental factors that changed were light, noise and temperature.  Women need that same sense of a nesting place – somewhere comfortable and private, warm and dimly lit.  In addition to those environmental factors, which affect all birthing mammals, the human female has a couple of additional challenges.  The human brain has a significantly larger neo-cortex than other mammals – the thinking part of the brain, the part that helps us to develop language skills, rationalise, discuss and debate, appreciate the arts etc. During labour if a woman is stimulated in the neo-cortex it draws the focus away from the mammalian part of the brain, the hypothalamus, which is where those all-important birthing hormones are produced.  We need for women to be able to let go, shut off the world around them and access their primal state – the instinctive mammalian part of themselves.  Fielding questions, having people talking to them, worrying about who is going to win the next general election is all an unnecessary distraction, which can have an impact on those crucial birthing hormones. Similarly, the feeling of being observed can cause a woman to switch off – birth is generally a private event.  If we return to our labouring cat, she is likely to stall birthing her kittens until she feels unobserved, safe and private, which is very disappointing for an excited child wanting to witness her first birth!  But, observation is more than being watched by people.  In the hospital setting it can also include physical examinations – having your tummy palpated or a vaginal examination to establish dilation – or foetal monitoring.  Women generally want to be mobile, active, able to get in to whatever position feels comfortable for her without being told what to do or being limited in any way. 

Bearing all of this in mind the questions we all need to consider when preparing for birth are where and with whom?  Given that we know that oxytocin production is likely to be impacted by our environment andthe people around us surely we need to think far more carefully about what we would like for our birth experience than which brand of buggy to choose!  As a doula I work with a wide range of women and families, all with unique circumstances impacting their choices and options.  For some, once we have discussed birth physiology, the idea of a home birth becomes hugely appealing.  Home is that couple’s most familiar environment – their safe space, somewhere the labouring mum knows well and can move about in without restriction.  Her bathtub is clean, her kitchen contains all the foodstuffs she finds most appealing, her bed is large, inviting, comfortable.   There are spaces for her partner, midwives, doula to retreat to if she wants solitude and peace.  For some, the idea of birthing at home doesn’t suit, so the challenge is to create a “nest” in a different setting – the hospital, birthing unit or maternity centre.  Medical issues may dictate a more interventionist approach, and whilst a woman may be more limited in what she can do we are reminded by the brilliant charity Birthrights, that women have choice and that her experience of birth is most commonly affected by whether she felt she was given options and the power to decide.  

Continuity of Care is a phrase being used a great deal in the birth world at the moment.  In Baroness Cumberledge’s National Maternity Review 2016 she identified lack of continuity of care as one of the key factors affecting women’s experience of birth in the UK.  It is certainly a huge challenge – more recent research done by the NCT and WI shows that 88% of women have not met the midwife who supports them during labour prior to the birth.  This is a distressingly high statistic when we consider that familiarity breeds reassurance and calm, and is therefore oxytocin-friendly! Pioneer sites across the UK are being encouraged to look at Baroness Cumberledge’s findings and come up with innovative ways to address them – on a team that I am working on Heads of Midwifery are combining forces to share knowledge and ideas so that the general experience of women can be improved. But, given the limitations of our NHS and the shortage of midwives across the UK this is not going to be resolved quickly or entirely satisfactorily.  For me this is where the doula comes in to her element.  Hired independently by a woman or couple during pregnancy the birth doula can provide such support that there is a deeply established and positive relationship in place long before labour begins.  A doula becomes aware of her client’s individual needs, expectations, hopes and fears.  She is able to ask her clients those all important questions about where they feel most comfortable birthing, who they want to be there, what might have a positive or negative impact on them.  She can signpost evidence-based information and research to help them come to decisions that feel right for them.  She can empower, inform, challenge and nurture.  The doula works with the couple and for them, but is able to liaise with the health care providers in a positive way, acting as advocate if necessary, helping to alert midwives or others to essential information about the couple, and provide practical support to the midwifery team when applicable. The doula is non-medical – she certainly is not going to make decisions on behalf of the mother, nor give her judgement or opinion, but she is able to facilitate positive discussion and provide evidence.  But, ultimately, if we return to the original topic of this article, the doula understands, believes and respects birth physiology!  She is able to hold the space for a labouring woman and her birth partners – she will help create and maintain that essential birth nest, the environment that will help a mother let go and enter her primal state.  She will be a calm presence, aware of what is going on around, gently giving reassurance to those at the birth to reduce any stress levels that may impact the labouring mother.  

A doula’s role doesn’t rest with birth.  There is a wealth of evidence to support how doulas reduce the number of interventions during labour, the need for pharmacological pain relief, caesareans, episiotomies, even duration of labour.  Significantly more women who are doula-supported breastfeed successfully and for longer.  And these statistics are important because what happens during pregnancy and birth has a bearing on the future of that mother and baby.  A mother’s mental wellbeing is impacted by the type of birth she has, and this, obviously, has a direct effect on the growing baby.  The human baby who is programmed for connection, and whose brain is still developing and growing.  If a baby is mothered by a woman who is depressed, in pain, traumatised or unwell he/she is less likely to get the necessary connection, feeding and bonding that he/she needs to develop into a healthy adult. It is challenging stuff.  It is my belief that doula support during pregnancy, birth and in the first few essential weeks of parenting is hugely and significantly beneficial to families and the wider community.  I feel excited about the positive impact that doulas can bring as awareness of the doula role increases, more women and families choose doula support, conversations happen to look at how doulas can support our challenged NHS, relationships develop, grow and build.  My long-term desire is that every woman should be able to access doula support regardless of financial circumstances.  There is plenty being done to encourage that, so let’s keep the ball rolling!

Filed Under: About Doulaing, Birth, Blog, Pregnancy Tagged With: birth, doula, doula support, homebirth, oxytocin, physiology

The Birth Plan – a video blog

August 4, 2018

Sophie chats about birth plans after reading two very differing opinions about them recently.  What are your thoughts about birth plans – a good or a bad thing?  Does it empower you to consider your options, or create unrealistic expectations?

If you want to find a doula who will support you antenatally, help prepare a birth preferences/wishes and attend your birth then visit the Nurturing Birth Directory
Click here to watch Sophie’s video on preparing for a baby in your life and relationship
 

Filed Under: Birth, Video blog Tagged With: birth, birth plan, doula, informed choice, options

What is a doula and do I really need one?

July 5, 2018

Pregnancy can be a truly wonderful time, your body is blooming and you’re looking forward to the day when you finally get to meet your beautiful new baby.
But pregnancy can also be an exhausting, confusing and downright scary time too! You’ve probably got a million and one questions and random thoughts running through your head every day. Stuff like…
Is my baby to big, or to small? Is it too small?
Should I breastfeed? How do you even breastfeed anyway? What if I can’t?
How do I want to give birth, and where? What are my options? What if something goes wrong?
Will I ever stop feeling nauseous? And my ankles… what’s going on there?!
Should I try hypnobirthing? Perhaps pregnancy yoga… or pregnancy massage? Pregnancy massage sounds nice, but is it safe?
A doula can help with all these things… and many more! She’s there to guide and support you on your pregnancy journey. She won’t tell you what to do, but she’ll make sure you know all your options and help you come to decisions that suit you and your baby best.

But what is a Doula and what do they actually do?

Despite the role having been around for hundreds of years, there’s often a bit of confusion about what a modern doula does and doesn’t do. Are they all tie-dye, peace charm wearing hippies who chant their way through your birth, incense in one hand, scented candle in the other?

What is a doula and do I really need one?
Not a doula!

 
No.
Do they replace or play the role of your midwife, doctor or husband during pregnancy and birth?
Definitely not.
Do they attend births? The whole birth – even if it’s 24 hours long and starts at 2am?
Yes they do!
We were curious about what women thought about the role of doula and the service we provide so we asked  the question…
“What do you think a doula does?”
We got lots of lovely and interesting answers, from…
“A knowledgeable and kind person who helps a mother through the whole birth experience.”
 and…
 “It’s someone you hire to support you in birth and the lead up to the birth! Like a birthing partner, great if partner is not around, or just for extra support!”
 To…
 “I thought it was a posh name for a hired nanny.”
 And…
“They’re all about home births, I don’t think a doula goes to hospital with you.”
So what does a doula actually do? And how could they help support you during pregnancy, birth and beyond?

The role of a doula

Modern medicine means that women are surrounded by people from around the 12th week of their pregnancy, right up until birth. But usually these are all different people, in different professions, in different locations. All relying on the big pack of notes you’re carrying around to work out what’s best for you and your baby.
A doula provides continuous care from early in your pregnancy, right through to birth and sometimes afterwards too. She gets to know you and your growing bump very well!

 
Most doula-client relationships begin with an interview to make that you’re comfortable with your doula and their way of working. Once you’ve decided to hire a doula, head over to our doula directory listings to find one near you.
Invite your potential doula for a chat to see if you’re a good ‘fit’. Remember to ask about how long they work with clients for, what specialisms they may have (many doulas also provide pregnancy massage, breastfeeding support or a placenta encapsulation service) and how much they charge. Ask to see testimonials and talk about their existing birth experience.
You’ll see your doula at regular intervals during pregnancy and she’ll probably provide telephone and email support to. If you have a questions, worries or concerns your doula will provide guidance and support, sharing her knowledge and experience with you and pointing you towards more sources of knowledge so that you can make the best choices for you and your baby.
One of the most important things a doula does is provide emotional care and support – particularly useful if you face complications during your pregnancy or need to make a difficult decision, like opting for planned c-section because of potential health complications.
On that topic, your doula won’t abandon you if you decide to have a planned, or ask for an epidural or decide not to breastfeed. Doula’s aren’t there to judge and they’re not there to pressure you into things you don’t want to do. In fact, there are even doulas who provide specialist cesarean birth support.

 
As you approach your due date your doula will go ‘on call’ and will be available for you 24/7. Once you go into labour, she’ll attend your birth, providing you with reassurance, care and support. During the early stages of labour a doula will usually come to your home and then travel with you if you’re giving birth at a hospital or birthing unit.
If you go into labour suddenly and need to hurry into hospital, don’t worry, your doula will get there as soon as she (or he) can and stay with you until you’ve given birth and are happily settled with your baby.
Most doulas are total birth pros and although every birth is different, they can provide help and suggestions on comfort, positioning, pain relief and much more. If your partner is there, your doula will support them too. Helping them to be involved as much or as little as they feel comfortable with.
Once you’re home with your baby your doula will visit you at least once, usually to help you settle in to life as a new mum, answer any questions you might have (you’ll have loads!) and talk about the birth with you. This can be especially helpful if you had a challenging  birth or needed to have an emergency caesarian birth. Research shows that a difficult birth can have a long-lasting and powerful effect on a mother’s physical and mental wellbeing. Having someone to talk to can really make a big difference.
So there you have it! The role of a doula in a nutshell. If you’re looking for a doula near you, start with a peek at our directory listings. There’s  lots of doulas from around the UK and beyond, all approved by Nurturing Birth.

Filed Under: About Doulaing, Birth, Blog, Postnatal, Pregnancy Tagged With: doula, doula support

Doulas and caesareans – a video blog

June 7, 2018

Last year Sophie wrote an open letter to magazine editor Natasha Pearlman after she shared in the mainstream press about her traumatic first birth experience.  Now, a year later, Natasha is pregnant with her second baby and has shared her decision to have an elective caesarean birth in the Mail.  Sophie discusses how doulas support women like Natasha and how, contrary to popular belief, doulas are able and willing to support caesarean births.

Click here if you would like to find a doula to support you through your birth experience
Click here if you would like to watch Sophie’s video on the World Health Organisation’s guidelines for a positive birth experience
 

Filed Under: Birth, Video blog Tagged With: birth, caesarean, doula, doula support, informed choice, options, trauma

Vaginal Gandalf – descriptions of doulas on TV and Film

January 11, 2018

2018 – 17 years since Doula UK was founded, nearly 10 years after the establishment of the largest American doula organisation, DONA, and doulas are now appearing on mainstream TV programmes and films, so we thought it would be fun to share some of the recent viewings!
For those who are fans of the Pitch Perfect series, the most recent has one of the characters announce that she is going to become a doula in Mykonos!  And that is after an earlier scene when the Bellas watch a much younger group of acapella singers and one of them comments that they must all have been breastfed!  Can I just apologise to the assembled audience at the Ritzy Cinema in Brixton for loudly cheering and high-fiving my daughter in those two moments.  Forward this clip to 1 min 25 seconds if you want a giggle.

Family Guy is a favourite and in Season 13, episode 12 Stewie gives birth (strange concept – male baby gives birth – Seth McFarlane clearly has an interesting imagination!)
Here’s the dialogue between Stewie and Brian,
“Brian, I need you to take me to the hospital … Why?  My water just broke … Call the Doula.  Brian, you’ve got to call the doula!”
“Doula?  I – I don’t even know what that is!”
“It’s a divorced woman who knows about lady parts and cheers you on.”
Ok, so that certainly sums up one of us at Nurturing Birth!!!

Finally, and perhaps we have saved our favourite for last!  Brooklyn 99, a programme I had never heard of until my 12 year old daughter introduced me to it recently.  Watch and enjoy – not only an excellent explanation of what doulas are, but some funnies in there too!

Do let us know if you have seen any doula mentions anywhere and perhaps we can compile the ultimate list.
Oh, and if you need a Vaginal Gandalf in your life, or a divorced woman who knows about lady parts and cheers you on then check out the doula listings on the Nurturing Birth Directory.
Any questions don’t hesitate to contact us at info@nurturingbirth.co.uk
See our previous video blog post discussing pain in childbirth and how the media doesn’t always help!

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: doula, nbdpost

Doulas and Midwives – a video blog

December 15, 2017

Sophie Brigstocke talks about the relationship between midwives and doulas, the question most parents ask at a doula interview and how we can move forward in a positive way.

For another blog which looks at a positive relationship between midwives and doulas visit http://nurturingbirthdirectory.com/wisdom-freedom-birth-story/
Contact us at Nurturing Birth if you would like to talk more

Filed Under: Video blog Tagged With: doula, midwives, nbdpost

  • Go to page 1
  • Go to page 2
  • Go to Next Page »

Footer

Award winning Doulas

MAMA Awards 2017 - DOULA OF THE YEAR​ Winner - Sophie Brigstocke, Nurturing Birth

MAMA Awards 2017
DOULA OF THE YEAR​

Sophie Brigstocke,
Nurturing Birth

Nurturing Birth Twitter

Good perinatal mental health is crucial always, but during a pandemic it should have extra focus https://t.co/jgZGxjwkIT
- Wednesday Jul 8 - 1:12pm

A member of

Doula UK approved course | Positive birth, Supporting Families.

Get in touch

  • Follow Nurturing Birth on Twitter
  • Follow Nurturing Birth on Facebook
  • Follow Nurturing Birth on Instagram

Telephone: 07305 044482
Email: info@nurturingbirth.co.uk

Images by Jaha Brown

Copyright Nurturing Birth © 2021 | Privacy and Cookies Policy | Terms and Conditions |All Rights Reserved

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non-necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.