Next in our interview with a doula series we meet Dawn. Dawn is a birth and postnatal doula based in Salisbury and working in Wiltshire, Hampshire and Dorset.
Thanks for agreeing to be interviewed Dawn. Let’s chat about what motivates you as a doula and what challenges and inspires you.
Where did you hear about doulas?
I came across the lovely Sarah Sayer (Nurturing Birth) when I was pregnant with my first child, 12 years ago. I loved the sound of it but felt it was out of my budget at that time. I have been fascinated ever since.
What made you want to be a doula?
After my own fairly awful first birth and subsequently hearing many other parents birth and early parenting stories, I realised there was a need for more support. After the birth of my second child, I studied for a foundation degree with NCT to support families with antenatal classes and breastfeeding counselling. As well as offering NCT classes, I felt that I needed do more to help families on a more practical and emotional level, especially within their own homes, so having been fascinated with doulas for many years, I decided to take the plunge and undertake doula training with Nurturing Birth.
What did your friends and family say when they heard you were thinking about becoming a doula?
Whats a doula?…. followed by wow that sounds amazing, I wish I had one of those.
What’s your favourite thing about being a doula?
The privilege of being that trusted support person inside their intimate, new world and seeing couples/families change as a new little person comes into their lives.
Is there anything you find challenging?
It’s always tricky when you hear well wishing family members say things you know are not true, like “in our family we don’t have the hips for natural birth”, “your holding that baby too much, you’ll spoil him”.
What’s your top tip for anyone who is trying to decide if a doula is right for them?
100% do it, find the right one for you and remember there are different doulas with higher and lower rates, a mentored doula doesn’t mean they wont be amazing. It’s always worth getting a doula involved in some way, as their passion, commitment and benefits will far exceed any costs.
What’s your favourite thing to do in an antenatal appointment?
Listen and learn, everyone has a story, I want to know all about them and what makes them who they are.
What are the best and most challenging things about being on call for you?
This is such an exciting time, never knowing which day there will be a new life and how their birth will be. The most challenging thing is as time goes on if baby hasn’t arrived, is helping parents navigate the world of induction.
What’s one thing you usually do at a birth?
Reassure women, let them know whatever they face, I will hold them through it.
What’s the longest you’ve ever been with someone in labour? What’s the shortest time?
3 days vs. 2 hours
What’s your top tip for your clients for working with their body in labour?
Use a TENS and visualisations to match the sensations to keep feeling in control and focused, let your body do its thing.
What’s your top tip for birth partners for during labour or birth?
Be there emotionally, always let the birthing woman know you are there for them.
What do you always remember to keep in your doula bag?
A wooden comb to hold in the palm of their hand, it’s a brilliant distraction from intense sensations and contact with acupressure points, is really powerful.
What’s your favourite thing to do in a postnatal appointment?
Sit in front of the woman and really listen to how they are feeling about their birth.
If you’re booked for postnatal doula support before baby is born what do you like to do to prepare for working with a family?
Have several visits to really get to know them, both the birthing woman and her family.
What’s one task that you enjoy when you’re working with a family?
I love dressing a newborn, nothing better than a snuggly clean bubba
What gives you the most job satisfaction when you’re working with a family?
It’s wonderful when you get to the end of your time with a family, see them beginning to thrive on their own in their new little family.
How do you know when it’s time to finish working with a family? Do you have a set number of hours or weeks or is there something less tangible?
I always play hours by ear as you never know beforehand how the new baby will settle and how family will feel. I gradually support and encourage families to try different challenges and as they become more confident and independent, I ask how they are feeling and how many more sessions they feel they need. If they want to keep going, we take it a week at a time, to make sure I’m there for reassurance until they feel ready, or have more family support in place.
Do you work a set number of hours a day or week? Do you work days, evenings, nights, do you offer live in care?
I have a minimum of 3 hours per session as time flies and anything less, doesn’t allow so real support and progress, especially if families need sleep. I usually work for several families as well as juggling my own children and animals, so I offer all the dates I have available and let the families choose. It usually ends up 2-3 sessions a week. I also offer support at night if needed.
Are there any tasks you’ve done before that you wouldn’t do again? Or any tasks you’ve already said no that’s not in my remit as a doula?
Cleaning which is more than just a tidy. I often sort a wash but bigger household tasks are a distraction from the emotional support and would be better suited to a cleaner/housekeeper.
If you think Dawn sounds like the right person to support you with your birth and/or new baby you can contact her through her Hampshire Doulas listing.
Hampshire Doulas 