What is a Doula?
A doula is a trained professional who provides continuous, non-medical support to a woman before, during, and after childbirth. Think of a doula as a personal birth coach whose role is to:
Offer Emotional Support: Provide encouragement, reassurance, and a calming presence during what can be an intense experience.
Provide Physical Comfort: Assist with techniques such as massage, breathing exercises, and positioning to help manage pain.
Share Informational Support: Help you understand your options, create a personalized birth plan, and offer guidance on what to expect throughout the process.
Enhance Communication: Although not a medical advocate, a doula helps facilitate clear communication between you and your care team (doctors and nurses).
Doula
The word “doula” comes from the Greek doulē, meaning “woman who serves.” Historically, doulas have supported women in childbirth across many cultures, offering physical and emotional care. In pre-industrial societies, experienced women like mothers and grandmothers provided comfort and guidance during labour.
Benefits of a
Doula Support
Doulas have been shown to positively impact the birth experience by improving both clinical and emotional outcomes. Here are some key benefits:
Reduced Interventions: Research indicates that women supported by doulas are up to 39% less likely to have a cesaerean section and more likely to experience a spontaneous vaginal birth (up to a 15% increase)
Shorter Labour: Continuous support can reduce the duration of labour by promoting natural oxytocin release, which helps stimulate contractions.
Less Pain Medication: Many women with doula support require less pharmacological pain relief, likely due to non-medical comfort measures.
Improved Satisfaction: Beyond the clinical outcomes, having a doula is associated with more positive feelings about the birth experience.
These benefits highlight why many couples are increasingly opting for doula support, leading to a more confident and fulfilling birth experience.
Supports your spouse’s role in birth
By guiding and reassuring the partner, a doula helps them feel more confident and involved, transforming them from a passive observer into an active supporter.
Offers tailored information
Doulas provide valuable insights about pain management techniques, labour positions, and postpartum care, equipping the couple with the knowledge to make informed decisions.
Offers Continuity of Support
From the prenatal period through labour and into the postpartum stage, a doula offers consistent, personalized care that helps the couple navigate the many transitions of childbirth.
Getting to know Doula Jannah
2003 – A New Mother in a Foreign Country
At just 23, I became a mother for the first time while studying in Newcastle upon Tyne, England—far from home, family, and everything familiar. My first pregnancy followed a miscarriage, so when I conceived again, it felt like a second chance. I threw myself into antenatal classes and birth prep, determined to do everything “right.”
But when labour came, it was intense, overwhelming, and nothing like I imagined. I eventually needed an epidural and, after hours of struggle, an emergency C-section. It wasn’t the birth I had hoped for, but it taught me so much about surrender, strength, and the raw, real power of becoming a mother.
2006 – My Healing VBAC
Three and a half years later, I was pregnant with my second child—and this time, I envisioned something different. I wanted a water birth. My UK midwife never questioned it, even with my C-section history. There was no fear-based language, no push for repeat surgery—just calm, steady support. She believed I could do it. And that belief became my own.
When the time came, I gave birth naturally on the floor of my living room, supported only by my husband and midwife. No pain relief. No drama. Just instinct and trust. That VBAC changed everything—it was empowering, healing, and deeply affirming. It showed me what was possible.
2010 – Birth with Quiet Confidence
With my third child, I carried a quiet knowing. No elaborate plans this time—just a deep trust in my body. I used only gas and air (Entonox), guided by breath, belief, and the gentle presence of my midwife. That birth reminded me: confidence doesn’t always roar. Sometimes it whispers, “You’ve got this.”
End of 2011 – Back in Singapore: A Wake-Up Call
When I returned to Singapore, I was surprised to learn my VBAC was considered rare—even risky. I met women who were told they couldn't try, or who were never even told it was an option. The contrast with my UK experience was stark. Singapore's system was more medicalized, more cautious, and lacked the kind of midwifery-led continuity I had benefited from.
That realization lit a fire in me.
2012 Onward – Becoming Doula Jannah
Motivated by my own births and driven by a desire to offer the kind of support I once received, I trained as a doula. Since 2012, I’ve had the honour of supporting over 200 families across Singapore. Many of them VBAC hopefuls —women told “no” who needed someone to remind them they could say “yes.”
Whether it’s a first-time mother or a seasoned parent trying again after a C-section, my approach is always the same:
🌿 Educate with evidence.
🌿 Support without agenda.
🌿 Trust each woman’s unique journey.
My Mission Today
I’m here to support, educate, and empower women—especially those considering a VBAC in Singapore, where awareness and support can still be limited. I believe that every woman deserves informed choices, respectful care, and unwavering belief in her ability to birth.
Because birth isn’t just about babies being born—it’s about women rising.
Let’s Journey Together
If you're planning for birth—especially after a C-section—and want someone who will stand beside you, guide you gently, and remind you of your strength, I’m here
As your doula, I am here to ....
Guide you through mental and emotional birth preparation so you feel calm, grounded, and truly ready
Offer comfort techniques and gentle reassurance during labour—so you feel safe, supported, and never alone
Make sure you understand your options and feel empowered to make decisions that honour your values and your birth plan
Hold space for your partner and loved ones, helping them support you with confidence and connection
Support your transition into motherhood—your way, with care that continues beyond birth
Doulas vs Midwives: the difference
While both doulas and midwives play crucial roles during childbirth, they serve very different functions:
Doulas provide continuous, non-medical professionals focused on emotional, physical, and informational care. They do not perform clinical tasks or deliver babies. Instead, their aim is to make you feel supported and empowered throughout the experience.
Midwives are trained healthcare professionals who provide comprehensive prenatal, intrapartum, and postpartum medical care. They are responsible for monitoring your health and the baby’s, managing the clinical aspects of labor and delivery, and handling any complications that arise
