Thames Doula
Lea Ouai

WELCOME & CONGRATULATIONS

I have been working in a caring capacity with parents and babies since 1998 and have been a recognised birth and postnatal doula with Doula UK since 2008.

I live and work between Bath, Bristol and South East London .

COVID 19 changes - I am available for one to one ( safe distancing and PPE aware ) or remote doula care for home births, hospital births as primary birth partner, placenta encapsulation and prints,and postnatal services, including infant feeding support and newborn developmental baby massage ( holding and reassurance), and traditional Mexican rebozo massage (manteada in pregnancy, labour, and the Cerrada postnatal closing ceremony) as taught by Angelina Martinez.

The wonderful parents I have worked with range from their teens to their 50s, across the social spectrum and from all around the globe.

HOW A DOULA CAN HELP

A doula ( from ancient Greek pronounced doola) is a caregiver who offers counsel in a sensitive, nurturing and non-judgemental manner and works to protect the mother's/family's environment throughout the perinatal period.

You will find an emotionally supportive space in which to explore ideas, doubts and wishes around pregnancy, labour, birth and parenting your newborn, so that you feel more confident and happy with the choices you make along the way. A doula will guide you to evidence-based research and source information tailored to your needs.

On the practical side, a doula offers comfort measures and breathing for labour and birth, and in the postnatal period will promote the bonding environment, offer infant feeding support and debrief your birth journey with you. A postnatal doula will also be happy to show you how to recognise sleep cues and settle your newborn, prepare tasty, nourishing food and provide you with the opportunity to rest and bond with your new baby.

A doula supports you in informed decision-making, does not discuss any personal information without your express permission, builds your confidence and promotes a harmonious environment in which your interests are protected.

Research shows that continuous support from a doula :
Shortens the length of labour
Reduces requests for analgesia
Reduces interventions and operative birth
Improves the birth experience
(Cochrane Review 2004)