What is a Doula?

"Doula " is a Greek word meaning "woman servant or caregiver". It now refers to a woman who is trained and experienced in childbirth, who accompanies parents before, during and after childbirth. She provides continuous emotional and practical support, physical comfort, non-clinical advice and assistance in getting information. The services offered by a doula vary greatly according to the needs of the mother-to-be/parents-to-be. A doula's role has to be flexible to fit in with the given situation e.g. the type of support will differ for a first time mum to that of a woman who has children already. Every birth is unique and therefore every woman's experience is also unique. Most women or couples will meet their Doula fairly early on in their pregnancy and by the time they are ready to have the baby will have established a relationship with them, so they will have the advantage of a friendly and well known presence in the birthing room, which will help them to be more relaxed and confident during labour.

The doula is not supporting the mother in a clinical role - that is the job of the midwife/medical staff.


What does a Doula do?

During pregnancy:
- prenatal visits to establish a good relationship
- gives emotional support and assistance in getting information
- gives advice and training in breathing techniques and positioning
- pregnancy massage
- birth plan preparation
- helps the father to get prepared to give good support to the mother

During labour:
- offers help and suggestions on comfort measures such as breathing, relaxation, movement and positioning.
- encourages the father to participate in the birth to a level at which he feels comfortable.
- provides nurturing, continuous support and reassurance.
- gives massage and acupressure
- translates if necessary

After childbirth:
- makes postnatal visits
- helps the new mum and dad settle at home with their new baby.



About me:

My name is Vera van Waegeningh, I was born in Germany and I am 30 years old. Besides German I can speak Dutch, English, Spanish and French. I studied physiotherapy in Konstanz, Germany and graduated in 2005. I moved to France with my spanish partner and worked in a French practice for physiotherapy in Toulouse. I have followed the doula training in Utrecht in spring 2009 and studied massage for pregnancy at the Sterrenkindcentrum in The Hague. In 2010 I finished my studies to become a fitness trainer for pregnant women. I live in The Hague with my spanish husband and our two children. Our daughter was born in 2006 in a hospital in Bordeaux after the early labour took place at home. I was in labour for 17 hours. During the weeks before and after the birth we had regular support from a Doula. Our son was born here in the Netherlands in 2010. It was a quick home water birth and we were supported by a midwife and a doula.

Contact:

For more information or to make an appointment, please call me:

0 657 123 547

or send an email with your name and phone number to:

douladenhaag@gmail.com