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Spotlight on a Doula

Chris Story has been volunteering as a Doula since April 2008. We interviewed her to find out what she thought of the project:

1) Why did you want to become a Volunteer Doula?

I know what it feels like to be alone when having a baby: I was living away from my family when I had my first child.  I thought that the Doula Project would be a good way to help mums who are feeling alone, and as both my children have left home to embark on their own careers, I now have the time to commit to the project and hopefully help other, less fortunate, people.

 
 
 

2)  What do you feel you have personally gained from the project?

I have met some fantastic people and gained the confidence to empower women to make their own decisions.  It’s the most amazing experience to be present at someone else's birth and I felt really privileged to be able to do it. The Doula team are amazing and give lots of help and support through what can be an emotional time.
 
 
 
 

3)  Tell us more about the training – did you enjoy it, and why?

 
 
The training was great! On the first evening I thought “what have I let myself in for?”; no one really spoke at first, but by the end of the session there had been a lot of laughs and a bond had begun to grow.  I thoroughly enjoyed all aspects of the training (some of the ice breakers were a bit daunting but made us laugh) and it helped me to understand a lot more about the physiology of pregnancy and labour, and things after the birth such as breastfeeding.  My own experiences have helped although it isn't necessary to have had a birth experience yourself to take up this challenge. I wish I could have had the training when I was pregnant myself! The trainers were very interesting and I was a bit sad when it was over as I enjoyed meeting up with everyone once a week.  Thankfully there is the monthly meeting to look forward to with interesting speakers!
 
 
 
 

4)  How many women have you supported and what kind of issues have you been faced with? 

 
 
I have supported one Mum so far; she was totally alone and I was with her throughout her labour.  She does not speak any English and there was no interpreter available during the birth but we muddled through and had our own way of communicating. The interpreters I have worked with have been brilliant. Understanding another culture is challenging, and I hope I have communicated what I have learned to benefit other Doulas. The only other issue is remembering what we are there for: we are not there to get involved in ongoing situations, which can be hard sometimes.
 
 
 
 

5)  Do you have any future plans related to the project?

 
 
Well, I only have 3 weeks left with my 'mum' and I will be really sad to leave her but I am ready to do it all again.  I would just like to carry on and try to inspire other people to become involved with the project and hopefully together we can all make a difference.