SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - With Yellowknife's midwifery program suspended and its future uncertain, expecting parents wanting advice and emotional support still have one little-known option: hire a doula.

Nikki Tews, holding her son, John Friesen-Tews, operates Bump, Birth and Beyond.... Through her business, a doula services for expecting mothers, Tews teaches mothers about what to expect during their pregnancy, labour and postpartum period, offers emotional support, and attends the birth. - photo courtesy of Bump, Birth and Beyond...

Nikki Tews began Bump, Birth and Beyond... Doula and Education Services in December, and since the suspension of the midwifery program about a month ago, business has been up.

"A doula is a Greek word that means servant or caregiver. As a doula, I provide emotional and physical support to the mother and father throughout the pregnancy, labour and during the postpartum period," explained Tews.

"I received four calls in the week after suspension of the midwifery program."

Receiving enquiries from four people in a week is a big increase in business for Tews, who had eight clients between December and May.

"I can't say for sure it is because there are no midwives, maybe it's just the result of a long, cold winter, but business has been up."

While a doula is similar to a midwife, Tews explained there is a key difference.

"A midwife or doctor takes care of the clinical aspect of birth and are there for the health and safety of the mother and baby, whereas a doula is there to attend to the emotional needs of the mother and father."

At Bump, Birth and Beyond... Tews offers three separate services. Expecting parents can hire her as a doula for $450, which includes her providing the parents with emotional support from the time they know they are expecting until the birth as well as a discussion about how the pregnancy and labour went. Parents who have recently had children and need some emotional support, somebody to help with housework or somebody to look after their baby while they get some rest, can hire her as a postpartum doula for $20 an hour. Tews also offers classes which educate expecting parents about what to expect during the pregnancy and birth, charging $50 for public classes, $100 for semi-private classes and $150 for private classes.

"Basically, I am there for the mother throughout the pregnancy, labour and after the birth teaching them about what's normal, what's not normal, listening to their worries, and that sort of thing."

Tews said she became interested in becoming a doula after the birth of her son John. When she first became pregnant while living in Winnipeg she hired a doula, but when she came to Yellowknife in March 2010, she wasn't able to find one. After a long labour with some complications, she ended up having a cesarean section, which she attributes, in part, to not having a doula.

"I definitely think not having a doula had something to do with it," said Tews.

After her pregnancy, she looked into what it would take to become a doula, a question that led her to Childbirth International (CBI) and Doulas of North America (DONA). They provided her with training on childbirth education and what it takes to be a doula. With her training complete, Tews is finishing her certification with DONA, which requires her to submit reports on three successful births she attended.

Because doulas are not regulated, Tews says people should be careful when choosing one.

"There is nothing stopping anyone from using the name doula, and charging people exorbitant rates, and then not providing quality services," said Tews.

"I honestly believe this is something that needs to change and that this should be a profession that has regulations set in place."

She said because of this, it's up to the individual to make sure they have found someone who has enough experience and training to provide quality service.

"I really want women to walk away from my classes feeling empowered. Birth should be a positive experience and not something we should be afraid of," said Tews.

"I truly believe that birth is not only about making babies, it is about making mothers – strong, capable and confident mothers who know themselves and know their inner strength."

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