OK, before we start, here's a disclaimer: this is a rant. A rather personal one - although there are many people in the same situation and it does have ramifications for breastfeeding support in this country (UK). I'll do my best not to come across as a moaning minny and to find the positives as I Continue Reading
The Politics of Breastfeeding: Partnerships, Parameters, Taboos and Pecadillos
The following was, more or less, a speech I gave at the 2014 Doula UK conference. I am passionate about breastfeeding and the ways in which doulas fit into the breastfeeding support landscape. I'd like to take you on a little tour of some of the social attitudes to breastfeeding that interest me Continue Reading
Feminist Birth and Motherhood Musings
We identify as feminist birthworkers. The posts on this website in the catagory, 'Feminism' are written by doulas, midwives and other birthworkers about feminist issues in general and specifically about how sexual politics intersects with our work with new parents. We have a facebook discussion Continue Reading
Spoilt For Choice?
Ahhh CHOICE, what an emotive word We live in a world full of it and I sometimes wonder if there is't too much of it - especially when I'm in a supermarket or am flicking through my 100+ TV channels. So I felt moved to look up the definition - so here you are: 1. The act of choosing; Continue Reading
The Father’s Role: Partners are Precious!
Over the last few years I have been honoured to support some amazing fathers. Men who have walked a dark night of the soul all of their own in order to be by the side of their lovers when they give birth. I have watched men step up, and step into their power as fathers. Just like the transition to Continue Reading
Gentle Birth Companions
Gentle Birth Companions: doulas in the UK by Adela Stockton SYNOPSIS ‘doula’: lay birth and postnatal companion, provides sustained emotional and practical support to expectant women, new mothers and their families, during the time around childbirth Marking ten years since the arrival of the doula Continue Reading
“In Yer Basket!”, or, the cult of the baby-trainer
I don't think it ever seriously occurred to me that what I had just pushed out of my body wasn't a human being. I was definitely completely certain it wasn't a puppy (despite my strange pregnancy dreams) or a robot. After a bit of kip, a cuddle and a coo, I was quickly convinced that this thing in Continue Reading
The Oxytocin Factory
Much is discussed about what a doula does, or doesn't do. Research consistently shows that women who have the constant emotional support of a lay woman in labour are significantly less likely to request pain relief. But why is this? As a doula-mentor, many doulas who are new to the role tell me Continue Reading
Living and Loving by Numbers
Tapping in my pin number always makes me smile. If you know me well, ask me why - the answer is infantile humour but helps me remember it. I don't have a good head for numbers, in fact I'd go so far as to say I'm pretty much number-blind. As I tapped in my pin the other day, I suddenly had an Continue Reading
Breastfeeding Support-Doulas: Boundaries and Benefits
I've spent my working life thinking about boundaries in one capacity or another and have been through the pain of working out why it's important for me to understand where my role begins and ends as a doula, breastfeeding counsellor and doula course leader and believe me, sometimes it's difficult to Continue Reading