Wanderlust: Expat Life & Style in Thailand April / May 2015 - The Health & Wellness Issue | Page 50

HEALTH & well-being

Doulas on the Rise

There is no doubt that increasing numbers of pregnant
women are opting to have doulas present with them during
childbirth. Expat woman Jessica Teal explains why.
Text and photo by Jessica Teal

I

magine having a reliable, knowledgeable, and empathetic support system with you for every
step of each life changing decision
you make. Wouldn’t it be comforting
to have help whenever and wherever
you need it? Wouldn’t you be relieved
to know you’re not alone? A doula
provides this kind of support specifically for women as they go through
pregnancy, birth their babies,
and learn how to care for a newborn.
The concept of the doula dates
back to ancient Greece, when
a