![Pregnant Belly](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/50b90fb3dac547b58b92ffce7e9c2e6a.jpg/v1/fill/w_738,h_492,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/50b90fb3dac547b58b92ffce7e9c2e6a.jpg)
Doula Support For
Expecting Parents
in Dorset
“Birth is not only about making babies. Birth is about making mothers — strong, competent, capable mothers who trust themselves and know their inner strength."
—Barbara Katz Rothman
What is a Doula?
[Doo-lah]
A doula is there to provide comfort, support and advocate for an expectant mother and her family during pregnancy and following birth. The role of a doula varies from person to person because the service is so personalised, but the underlying essence is the same - a doula is someone who works in harmony with a family to create the most supportive environment for birth and the first weeks of parenthood.
I provide support, guidance and a listening ear throughout pregnancy through to birth; be it a home birth, natural birth or a cesarean section.
I offer a range of support packages at different stages of your pregnancy. Please click below to find out more.
![the nurturing doula-stars.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/26de82_e1de9c3d0ef8487fbad3f6c8f95982f7~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_696,h_696,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/26de82_e1de9c3d0ef8487fbad3f6c8f95982f7~mv2.jpg)
Who is The Nurturing Doula?
I'm Merren, and I founded The Nurturing Doula. I believe that every family should have the support that they need, it can be a life-changing experience having a child and any subsequent children afterwards. There is a saying from the old Igbo and Yoruta African Proverb which says ‘it takes a village to raise a child’, over time this sentiment has disappeared. People's ‘villages’ are smaller than ever or non-existent and we’ve become further removed from helping and supporting others. Here, at The Nurturing Doula, I am bridging this gap.
In the support and services that I provide, these are evidence-based as much as possible. This means that the information provided has been shown to be proven through vigorous trials and studies. In addition to the evidence-based support, I believe in a holistic approach. By looking at the whole picture rather than simply the outset, it also involves taking into account any mental and social factors.
Everyone has their own parenting style and one style may not fit another, everyone is unique. I believe in holding space, providing a non-judgmental, listening ear and making informed decisions.
Some parenting strategies that I don’t support are 'crying it out'. This is a strategy that I don’t feel comfortable with, instead, I can provide alternatives to using this method.
![Image by Sharon McCutcheon](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/nsplsh_5a54536949443157372d6f~mv2_d_5616_3744_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_490,h_327,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/nsplsh_5a54536949443157372d6f~mv2_d_5616_3744_s_4_2.jpg)