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Our services

 

Let us start by explaining what a doula is.

A doula is a non-medical professional who has been trained to nurture and provide practical, emotional and physical support throughout pregnancy, labour and the postnatal period.

Our aims and objectives: We come alongside to listen, support, inform and advocate for those who are vulnerable or isolated and have had their self-autonomy removed or threatened.

We support some of Birmingham’s most vulnerable women. When we meet our clients, they’re often isolated with little or no support. Most live in areas of deprivation in Birmingham and have suffered trauma due to their experience of: homelessness/living in temporary accommodation, seeking asylum and navigating the systems of a new country, human trafficking, modern-day slavery, mental health difficulties, drug and alcohol addiction, teenage pregnancy, domestic abuse or time spent in prison.

We work for individualised support planning and continuity of care so that all involved are more informed, prepared and affirmed in their choices around the journey into parenthood.

 
 
 

Support from Elayos can take on a variety of forms depending on individual circumstances/needs. We work on a referral basis to support our clients holistically in the following ways:

  • Accompanying to appointments (where possible)

  • Birth preparation, including holding space to discuss past birth trauma and ways we can support a more positive birth

  • Birthing partners (availability-dependent)

  • Birth debrief

  • Supplying baby and maternity essentials, such as infant clothes, equipment, hospital bags and hygiene products

  • Supporting more widely, including accessing interpretation services or support with completing paperwork

  • Regular follow-ups to check wellbeing/offer befriending

  • Breastfeeding and general feeding support from our qualified Infant Feeding Specialist

  • Postnatal support, such as light housework or help with meal preparations (if possible)

  • Signposting to useful services such as food banks, mental health support, etc.

  • Helping clients make connections in their local community through local walks or parent and baby groups

 
 

 What to expect from us

  • Once we have received your referral and reviewed it, a team member will phone to introduce themselves and arrange an initial assessment. We will inform the referrer that we are working with you. (Note: there are times that our small charity must wait-list or signpost cases elsewhere if we are oversubscribed, in which case we will do so as soon as possible.)

  • We’ll take time to get to know you, your circumstances, your needs, and your hopes for this pregnancy, birth, and fourth trimester.

    We’ll help asses whether you need practical support, such as baby and maternity supplies, befriending/wellbeing visits, or referrals for additional support.

    We’ll offer to work on a birth plan with you so that we can be as informed as possible as your birth partner and advocate for you if we are able to attend your birth. We can also accompany you to appointments when possible.

    We can engage with other services that are already involved in your situation as needed.

  • For those receiving birth support from Elayos, we plan for a doula to be on call from 38 weeks. We aim to join you from active labour, earlier if possible. In cases of planned C-sections, we will plan to attend hospital with you if arranged in advance.

  • We offer wellbeing visits after the baby comes to see how you’re doing emotionally, physically, etc. Please note: we are not healthcare professionals. If you feel unwell, always contact your midwife, health visitor, GP, etc. Or phone 111 if urgent, or 999 for emergencies.

    We can offer practical support, such as help with the baby, light housework, etc. We can help you get connected in your local community, such as signposting to children’s centres, baby groups, park groups, or breastfeeding cafes.

    Where possible, our Infant Feeding Specialist will be happy to support you with feeding to improve your confidence and knowledge.

    We typically work with our clients for 3 months post birth. However, this is decided on a case-by-case basis.

 

Partner organisations

We’re always looking for organisations that we can signpost our clients to, helping to build community around them and increase their support network. If you know of any great organisations, please tell us about them here.

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