- Home
- Pregnancy
Pregnancy topics
years NCT has been campaigning as the voice for parents on the issues they care about
- Birth
Stages
Birth topics
branches across the UK run thousands of events all year round
- Parenting
Parenting topics
NCT practitioners support parents to find information they need to prepare for their new life
- In your area
Parenting topics
NCT practitioners support parents to find information they need to prepare for their new life
- Courses
Parenting topics
NCT practitioners support parents to find information they need to prepare for their new life
Pregnancy tip
Having a doula present at a birth shortens first-time labour by an average of two hours
What is a doula?
Doulas support women and their families during pregnancy, childbirth and early parenthood. Find out more about the services doulas provide.
It is becoming increasingly common for women to use a doula in addition to receiving care from a midwife. Doulas provide flexible and continuous support before, during and often after birth. They may help with other children, encourage a partner with supporting birth, nurture and support the mother, and give support to help establish breastfeeding.
Having a doula present at a birth:
- shortens first-time labour by an average of two hours,
- decreases the chance of caesarean section by 50%,
- decreases the need for pain medication.
Having a doula present helps other birth partners participate with confidence.
Types of doula
There are two types of doula – birth and postnatal – and some cover both areas.
A birth doula offers physical and emotional support to you (and your partner) during labour and your birth. They don’t do anything medical but are a continuous, reassuring presence. Most (but not all) doulas are mothers themselves and may or may not have done additional training. Those recognised by Doula UK will have completed an approved training course.
Postnatal doulas support you at home after the birth – ‘mothering the mother’ – to help you as you start life with your new baby.
NCT Birth Companions
NCT offers a service called NCT Birth Companions, providing one-to-one support for parents from late pregnancy, through labour, birth, and into the first hours and weeks with their new baby. They provide women, and their partners, with skilled physical and emotional assistance, as well as up-to-date knowledge, information and encouragement to help them have the type of labour and birth they would most like. NCT Birth Companions are all qualified professionals who have completed a nine-month course, developed by NCT in partnership with the University of Worcester.
Whoever you choose to support you at your baby’s birth, it is important that you feel as relaxed and confident as possible.
Further information
Doula UK provides information about doula services in the UK.
NCT's helpline offers practical and emotional support in all areas of pregnancy, birth and early parenthood: 0300 330 0700. We also offer antenatal courses which are a great way to find out more about birth, labour and life with a new baby.
Post a comment