Why do I need a Doula?
To advocate for you. To help you navigate your birth. To help you get what you want. To help make sure your baby is taken care of. If you don’t speak Thai, to help you communicate with the hospital and caregivers. There are just so many reasons to have a doula.
Yes, your husband can help with all those things, but he is on the same roller coaster ride as you and the doula is for him too.
And praise the universe, there are doulas in Bangkok!!!
How do I choose one?
You can start by attending a “Choices in Childbirth” session run by Bangkok Doulas https://www.facebook.com/bangkokdoulas/ . Their facebook page has details. At these events you can meet doulas and have a chat to see if anyone is a good match for you.
Luckily we have a few in Bangkok. But you need to have a checklist of questions ready to make sure you are a match. This book, The Birth Partner by Penny Simkin https://www.pennysimkin.com/shop/the-birth-partner-4th-edition/ actually has a list of questions in it for a doula. There are also multiple websites on line. DONA also provides a hiring guide https://www.dona.org/what-is-a-doula/how-to-hire-a-doula/.
The Doulas
Rasee Govindani https://www.facebook.com/doularasee/ and https://doularasee.wordpress.com/ Rasee is a DONA certified doula who has supported a gazillion births in Bangkok, she speaks both Thai and English. And…she runs the best class in Childbirth Education Class in Bangkok. She also performs placenta encapsulation. She runs Bangkok Breastfeeding Cafe which is a great support for new mums.
Iasnaia http://maedoula.com/A Paramana certified birth doula who is currently studying to become and IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant). Iasnaia also performs placenta encapsulation. She also speaks Portugese and French.
Megan Wylie is a DONA approved birth doula with training in Spinning Babies. She is also a personal trainer and a mum of 3. https://www.meganwyliewellness.com/
Lia Segall is a postpartum doula as well as a Lactation consultant. https://www.facebook.com/BreastfeedingBangkok/ She also helps Rasee run Bangkok Breastfeeding Cafe which is a great support for new mums.
Sheena Flannery specialises as a postpartum Doula. A postpartum doula can help overcome the initial challenges like breast-feeding, baby care, safe sleeping and many more things that seem overwhelming to new parents. https://www.bangkokbabies.com/
Anfisa Grigorova https://www.instagram.com/doula.bangkok/ and https://doulagentlerocking.com/ Previously a yoga therapist, Anfisa has transitioned into a doula. She is also a breastfeeding counsellor, postpartum doula and has studied Yu Fai and Thai traditional postpartum practices.
Krist’l D’haene https://kristldhaene.com/ Krist’l is midwife and doula supporting birth through yoga, ayurveda, essential oils, craniosacral therapy, massages and pre-peri and postnatal support and hypnobirthing.
If you find yourself thinking twice about getting a doula because its an added cost or you aren’t sure if you need one, don’t think twice. Having a doula at your birth just makes it a million times better. Trust me. These ladies go above and beyond to help birthing mothers in Bangkok. They navigate an extremely challenging environment in Thai hospitals to help you get the birth that you and your baby deserve.