About me
Certified birth doula
Hi, I’m Jackie Radley, mum to 3 not-so-little-anymore people and wife to Neil. I am a birth and postnatal doula in Worcestershire who just loves her job!
I was born in Zimbabwe, raised in South Africa, and have deep roots in the beautiful country I now get to call my home. I have a special interest in supporting women and birthing people who are abuse survivors, who have had previous trauma, those who are neurodiverse, and the LGBTQ community.
I love a home birth, a hospital birth, a Caesarean section (in fact any birth that is a positive experience for the amazing families I support).
I volunteer for Doulas Without Borders and am a Bliss Champion. I am also a very proud BirthBliss Doula.
About doulas
Doulas provide continuous physical, emotional and informational support to a woman and her partner before, during and after childbirth. This can apply to a woman planning a physiological birth, home birth, hospital birth or a planned caesarean.
Doulas regularly attend continuing education to ensure that they are up to date with the latest research and evidence-based practices. They also learn techniques such as massage, acupressure and optimal positioning so they can have a toolbox to help the mother manage pain, feel comfortable and avoid interventions and drugs if that is her desire.
Sometimes just having another woman there who is solely there for her can be incredibly nurturing and increase the confidence of the birthing woman. It makes such a difference when she is feeling safe and calm and has already established that rapport and trust with another female who understands her and is connected to her because of the continuity of care over weeks or even months before labour begins.
This in no way is meant to replace the role of the partner who is there to love, support and protect the mother as well, and the doula supports the partner to support the mum.
A growing body of research shows doulas really do make a difference.
The latest research compiled in August 2017 by Evidence Based Birth showed that women who had a doula were 39% less likely to have a caesarean.
A study released in 2012 identified that women who had an independent birth support (specifically a doula, not a midwife or someone from their family or friend network) were:
- More likely to have a spontaneous labour
- Less likely to have synthetic oxytocin
- Less likely to ask for an epidural or drugs
- Less likely to be dissatisfied with their birth
- More likely to have shorter labours
- Less likely to have a caesarean
- Less likely to have an instrumental birth (forceps and vacuum)
- Less likely to have a baby with low Apgar scores
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Benefits
The use of a doula has clear benefits for families during childbirth and the postnatal period.
A Cochrane Review analysing various studies undertaken on the benefits of having a doula said:
“We conclude that all women should have continuous support during labour. Continuous support from a person who is present solely to provide support, is not a member of the woman’s social network, is experienced in providing labour support, and has at least a modest amount of training, appears to be most beneficial. In comparison with having no companion during labour, support from a chosen family member or friend appears to increase women’s satisfaction with their childbearing experience.”
I believe that support should be accessible for every person and family who seeks it, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, ability, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.
We acknowledge the disproportionate effects of transphobia on those with other marginalized identities such as being a person of colour, low-income or disabled.
Many racial health disparities that concern midwives and impact our communities are experienced in greater numbers by people who are both Black and transgender.
These lives especially are in need of the kind of respectful, compassionate, and individualized care midwives can offer. We assert that we can honour the power of all women while at the same time extending this reverence to all people who are pregnant and giving birth, and that to do so is in full alignment with the heart of midwifery.
What I can help with
My services range from providing support during pregnancy, to birth and post-natal support.