Fundraising: Provide support to vulnerable mothers

Aim

I provide doula services; prenatal and postnatal to vulnerable refugees, asylum seekers and those who have been trafficked/raped

Finding out that you or your partner are pregnant can be the best thing that could happen to you, it feels like you are at the top of the world! However, for some women it can feel like their life is over. 

They have no family or anyone else trustworthy by their side, no alternative support. Or possibly they are in very basic accommodation, or with extremely limited financial means and feel they can’t do this, but that is where I can come in!

I provide doula services; prenatal, birth and postnatal. I offer this for free as well as baby and mother essentials to vulnerable refugees, asylum seekers, those who have been trafficked and to victims of rape.

The women who are referred are in desperate need of emotional and physical support.

Regarding above, these women are more likely to commit suicide while pregnant or after given birth, most are from ethnic minority background.

What does being a Doula entail?

It is a continuous learning process so that we can provide our clients with the most up to date research and information. Prior to a mothergiving birth a doulawill spend anywhere from 3-6 hours with her client and the family doing light childbirth education, talking about her birth desires, processing through any fears she has, teaching coping techniques, giving nutritional advice, talking about ways to prepare her body physically and mentally for birth.

Most doulas visit with their client at least once after the birth and provide continuous phone support for breastfeeding issues, emotional support, etc. 

Doula Statistics 

Numerous studies have shown that the presence of a doula during labor and birth results in:

* 31% decrease in the use of Pitocin

* 28% decrease in the risk of C-section

* 12% increase in the likelihood of a spontaneous vaginal birth

* 9% decrease in the use of any medications for pain relief

* 14% decrease in the risk of newborns being admitted to a special care nursery

* 34% decrease in the risk of being dissatisfied with the birth experience

Parents who receive continuous support such as that of a doula tend to:

* Feel more secure and cared for

* Are more successful in adapting to new family dynamics

* Have greater success with breastfeeding

* Have greater self-confidence

* Have less postpartum depression

* Have lower incidence of abuse

I cannot continue to provide the support these women need without the community, so please be generous and think about the ripple effect it will have on these women’s lives.

This project successfully funded on 4th June 2020