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" When news emerged that Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, wanted to try for a natural birth \u2013 even considering hypnobirthing to reduce labour pains rather than conventional pain relief \u2013 it marked another milestone in the movement towards alternative childbirth.   Started as a fringe movement in the 1970s, alternative childbirth is no longer an activity for Bohemian expectant mothers in Hampstead.  Although most women still give birth in NHS maternity units, (only 2 per cent of births now happen at home in England) they are a world away from the dreary clinical environments of decades past.  Many hospitals have dispensed with hospital beds, offering home-from-home facilities where women are encouraged to relax in calming spaces surrounded by their personal possessions. Doulas The trend towards alternative birth has been mirrored by the rise of the doula \u2013 a non-medical companion whose role is to support the labouring woman until she delivers her baby, and for a short period afterwards.  &amp;#039;A doula&amp;#039;s role is literally to mother the mother,&amp;#039; explains Zara de Candole, an experienced doula, who volunteers at Doula UK, an organisation representing 500 qualified doulas.  All but one of the doulas there are female since the role is so bedded in the tradition of women helping women.  In the past, this function was usually taken by a female member of the mother&amp;#039;s family. But this is becoming harder as nuclear families are the norm, and people may be separated by geographical distance.  &amp;#039;In the Duchess&amp;#039;s case, she asked her mother and sister to be her companions, but she was lucky,&amp;#039; says Zara. &amp;#039;A doula can step in and fulfil that role, which can make such a huge difference to the outcome.&amp;#039;  Aromatherapy in pregnancy: should you try it? Aromatherapy is already used in many NHS centres, including Birmingham Women&amp;#039;s NHS Foundation Trust.  &amp;#039;We have a small number of high quality essential oils that have been found to be safe for use in pregnancy and during labour and around the time of the birth&amp;#039;, said a spokesperson for the Trust  The use of essential oils has been found to help lift the spirits, reduce anxiety and fear, and decrease pain levels.  Oils such as lavender, rose, peppermint, chamomile, mandarin, lemon, frankincense and eucalyptus can be blended and used in a variety of ways.  However, aromatherapy doesn&amp;#039;t suit everyone and can even cause irritation or exacerbate allergies. Always consult your midwife or doctor before the birth itself.  Making a difference Felicity Kienstra, 29, who has recently given birth to her first child, Isabelle, knows what a huge difference having a doula around can make.  Felicity and her husband wanted to have a home birth with the help of the local home birth midwife team, but they wanted to have the added security that a doula could provide.  &amp;#039;Our doula really helped get me through the first stage of labour when I didn&amp;#039;t know what to expect. She was also a huge help to my husband who appreciated having someone experienced around.&amp;#039;  Hypnobirthing The doula they chose was also an expert in hypnobirthing \u2013 a technique Felicity used during the first stages to avoid taking pain-relieving medicines.  &amp;#039;We spent quite a few sessions before the birth getting into a good head space,&amp;#039; she says. &amp;#039;On the day itself, I found that it was effective. I only needed gas and air when I entered the birthing pool.&amp;#039;  Baby Isabelle was relaxed too. &amp;#039;Throughout the delivery, her heartbeat never got above 130 beats per minute, which shows she was pretty calm. We both benefited from having a doula.&amp;#039;  Calm under pressure A doula is not necessarily medically trained, although many doulas have moved into the vocation from midwifery or nursing.  &amp;#039;The key attributes are compassion, empathy and staying calm under pressure,&amp;#039; says Zara.  All doulas represented by Doula UK have to undertake a Doula UK approved course and keep up to date with continuous professional development. Once registered with Doula UK, a new doula is mentored for the first four births by a more experienced colleague.  Clary sage may be used to get labour started if used by a trained midwife for a mum who is overdue. However, do not use this oil yourself. Steer clear of essential oils altogether if you have:    a history of miscarriage  had any vaginal bleeding in this pregnancy  epilepsy heart problems diabetes  blood clotting problems thyroid, liver or kidney disease.   It&amp;#039;s always a good idea to talk to your doctor or midwife before using essential oils.  In for the long haul Unlike midwives, doulas do not work shifts. Once signed up, they undertake to stay with a labouring mother until she has given birth, whether that is at home or hospital.  &amp;#039;It might be appropriate for the doula to sit quietly in the corner with her knitting and just offering a comforting presence,&amp;#039; explains Zara.  &amp;#039;Or she may need to take a more proactive role, helping a women deal with her fears and get her strength back.&amp;#039;  Sometimes, labour can go for days, and a doula has to be prepared for the long haul.  Zara always goes out with her doula kit, which includes a sleeping bag, a toothbrush and a change of clothes.  Finding a doula Although not routinely available on the NHS (doulas must be hired in advance and are usually paid a set fee for antenatal care and the birth \u2013 however long it takes), some women are able to access the services of doula in NHS hospitals. However, this is unusual.  Doula UK has recently launched its Access Fund to fund doulas for women who would otherwise be unsupported during their labour.  Doula UK would like to see a time when all women could access a doula if they wished. &amp;#039;It&amp;#039;s such a small thing that is so often overlooked. But it can make a huge difference to the woman, her child and the family.&amp;#039;  You are not advised to use the following essential oils when pregnant:  nutmeg  rosemary  basil  jasmine and clary sage  sage and rose  juniper berry.   Other people also read... Calm your birth fears: It&amp;#039;s natural to feel scared about what B-day will bring. Here, we arm you with the facts so you can feel confident and in control. What no-one tells you about after the birth: So you&amp;#039;ve shared your first cuddle \u2013 but now what? Here&amp;#039;s our guide to birth recovery. Sex after giving birth: Find out if childbirth affects your sex life. Last updated 03.06.2013 "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/parenting/pregnancy/a9255/alternative-birth-with-a-doula/>