During labour the doula is able to offer help and suggestions on comfort measures such as breathing, relaxation, movement and positioning. The doula can also encourage the father to participate in the birth to a level at which he feels comfortable. The doula's most important role is to provide nurturing, continuous support and reassurance.

After childbirth the doula will usually follow up with a postnatal visit. The mother may also decide to employ a postnatal doula.

Sometimes this will mean that the mother employs a different doula to the one that attended the birth as not all birth doulas can offer extended postnatal support, whereas there are doulas who only offer postnatal support. I offer both, either singly or combined.

I also offer weaning support.