A personal experience and her work helping establish the Tokyo Mothers Group and Tokyo Pregnancy Group communities saw Briton Stephanie Kawai, 44, follow her instincts to become a doula. A mother of three boys and permanent resident of Japan, her doula career is part of her mission to contribute to support networks for families and the international community in Japan.
1. What does a doula do? A doula is someone who provides pregnancy, birth and postpartum support to a woman and her partner, providing information, advice, support and reassurance.
2. What kind of support do doulas offer partners? We are an extra shoulder for them to lean on and give advice or suggestions on how they can better support their partner.