What is a Doula?
The word "doula" comes from ancient Greek and means "servant." Birth and the surrounding phases were purely women's affairs until a few centuries ago. In some cultures, this is still the case today. Throughout history, experienced women have always stood by other women during birth and beyond, supporting and caring for them. The roots of doula work likely reach far back into human history.
With the shift of childbirth into the medical-clinical realm, the existing knowledge and trust in the birthing process were largely displaced and replaced by science and technology. Over the centuries, clinical birth has developed into a kind of industrialized machinery, where female intuition often has little room.
A doula supports births and assists women during the postpartum period to remind them that they are capable of giving birth, that they are good mothers, and that they can trust their own intuition.
What does a Doula do?
A doula gets to know the pregnant woman before the birth and thus has the opportunity to get to know her views and concerns - without judging or advising. The time spent getting to know each other leads to a trusting relationship between the woman giving birth and the doula. This is an important prerequisite for birth support, so that the woman feels comfortable with her doula during the birth.
The most important thing is that she radiates calm and confidence and therefore acts as a calming influence during the birth process.
The doula is a support for the woman giving birth in every situation, but does not make any decisions for her and does not influence any medical procedures. She is not a counselor, but a maternal, empowering force whose wish is for women to strengthen and realize their own feelings.
A doula mainly accompanies births and supports women during pregnancy and in the postpartum period to remind them that they can follow their intuition, give birth and be good mothers.
Birth Doula support
If you are interested in a birth companion, please contact me for an initial non-binding telephone conversation.
If you would like to have me as your doula at the birth, we will arrange an appointment to get to know each other personally.
You should plan about 1-1.5 hours for this. During the conversation we will see if the "chemistry is right".
If you can imagine giving birth with me, we will have 2 more preliminary meetings, during which we will have time to talk or have a massage. The on-call service runs for 10 days before & 10 days after the ET. During this time I am available 24 hours a day.
From the moment you feel the birth is about to begin and you want me by your side, you contact me and I will come wherever you want.
This can be your home, the birth center or the clinic.
I will stay with you for the entire duration of the birth, as long as it is suitable.
As soon as I am no longer needed after the birth, I will withdraw and we will make an appointment for a follow-up consultation as soon as possible.
Costs:
Total price for 2 preliminary talks, on-call service, birth support, follow-up talk, as described above: 1100€
The introductory meeting costs 60€ incl. VAT and is charged separately.
Pre- and Postpartum Doula
Would you like someone to accompany you during pregnancy or after the birth so that you have a trusted, experienced person with whom you can share your feelings and thoughts? A woman who has experienced these deep processes herself and therefore has a deeper understanding of them?
Then contact me for an initial, no-obligation telephone conversation.
We will find out what is right for you.
As a postpartum doula, I only come to you during the postpartum period. During your pregnancy we will have a detailed conversation so that we can get to know each other.
Afterwards, we will agree how often and for how long you would like me to accompany you.
As soon as your baby is born and you have arrived home, my work begins.
I will help you with the housework, cook whatever you feel like, go shopping or simply be there for anything that comes up. If you like, I can also take care of your child so that you can rest a little or give you a postpartum massage.
Costs:
Billing via health insurance is possible
or
Hourly rate of €50 incl. VAT for a previously agreed number of hours
The introductory meeting costs 60€ incl. VAT and is charged separately.