New parents
Neighbourhood Doulas are here to ensure that every new parent will have the support they need to have a positive birth experience, to give them and their baby the best possible start in this new chapter of their lives.
Neighbourhood Doulas can provide free services that include:
- Antenatal support – information and preparation for birth
- Labour/birth support
- Help with discharge from hospital
- Postnatal support
- Referrer to local organisations if you would like more support
If you would like more information please email: office@neighbourhooddoulas.org
If you would like to be referred to Neighbourhood Doulas please ask your health professional to complete this form.
Artwork by Rochelle Clarke @rochellecreative
What we do
We provide an ongoing antenatal, birth and postnatal support for marginalised women. We have a track record of support provided by our team of volunteer professional doulas who provide the care and support to those in need.
Birth Preparation
Once you have been referred to ND and linked with your main doula and team, they will arrange to meet with you to prepare for your upcoming birth.
They will talk about options and you can discuss what you want from the choices that your midwife has shared with you. You can ask questions which your doula will be happy to answer so you can make informed choices.
Topics that will be covered include: Choice of birth venue, What to bring to hospital, Signs of labour, Comfort measures, Pain relief options, Informed consent, Giving birth, Possible interventions, Infant feeding and Newborn care. Your doula can assist you to create a birth plan to discuss with your midwife.
SOME USEFUL LINKS:
Doula Services during labour
Your doula is on call 24/7 2 weeks before and after your estimated due date. You can be in touch when you think you are in labour. You can call them directly at any time of day or night. If you would like your doula to come to your residence (if access is permitted) they can do this. Having someone alongside can make the process easier and they will be able to assist with communication with the midwife and travelling with you to hospital or calling the midwife for homebirths.
Your doula will remain with you throughout labour until you have given birth and settled with your baby. Your doula will assist you with discharge from the hospital. They can provide you with a meal or groceries of your choice and help you as you return back home.
SOME USEFUL LINKS:
Breastfeeding & feeding support
Your doula will discuss how you plan to feed your baby before you give birth and continue to support you up until 6-8 weeks (6-12 weeks if a health care professional requests an extension of support). Your doula can share feeding resources with you and provide local community options for additional support, in person, and online. Within the Neighbourhood Doulas community we have a range of Infant Feeding Support Workers and Lactation Consultants that can assist you if you request further help.
You can stay in touch with your main doula and back up team for the support that you need. In-person visits and phone/video calls are very supportive and flexible to your situation.
SOME USEFUL LINKS:
Postnatal Support
our main doula can assist you with discharge from the hospital. You can arrange follow up visits with your doula and/or the back-up team to assist you with infant feeding, bathing your baby, emotional and practical support.
Neighbourhood Doulas are linked with many organisations in the community across London and can refer you for further support if needed. The postnatal support usually lasts until 6-12 weeks and is flexible to your situation.
We can facilitate to connect you with a local or online community if you wish to meet other parents in the same stage of parenthood.
SOME USEFUL LINKS:
Bathe new-born
Baby Massage
Signposting to services
Neighbourhood Doulas have remained open 365 days a year 24/7 throughout the pandemic. We have linked up with various organisations to fill the gaps created with the Corona virus, lockdown and all challenges these issues bring.
We are committed to support you to ensure that you feel safe, supported and able to access the help you need to thrive, throughout pregnancy and early parenting.
Links to useful organisations & sites
Little Village: A charity that provides for free, good quality baby clothes and equipment, donated by local families, to local families that need them. They provide for the Barry House families and also others.
Home-Start: A local community network of trained volunteers and expert support helping families with young children through their challenging times. We are there for parents when they need us the most because childhood can’t wait.
Maternity Action: The UK’s leading charity committed to ending inequality and improving the health and wellbeing of pregnant women, partners and young children – from conception through to the child’s early years.
Helen Bamber Foundation: A UK-based human rights organisation, formed in April 2005 to help rebuild lives and inspire a new self-esteem in survivors of gross human rights violations.
AIMS: Works towards better births for all by campaigning and information sharing, protecting human rights in childbirth and helping women to know their rights, whatever birth they want, and wherever they want it.
BirthRights: What are your rights in pregnancy and childbirth?
Global Health Media: User-friendly videos are created with frontline health workers in mind, featuring carefully paced step-by-step instructions, close-ups for clear viewing, and basic non-technical language.
Emergency baby box: Referral only, please contact us.