Meghan misses a baby secret

I WAS pleased to read that Meghan Markle had hired a ‘doula’ — a non-medical professional birth companion — to support her before, during and after labour.

Disappointingly, the story turned out to be false.

I’m a great fan of doulas, who are there solely to provide emotional and physical support to pregnant women. They don’t get involved in the birth in the way that a midwife or obstetrician does.

At every delivery I’ve attended where a doula was present, it’s been a better experience for the woman.

Giving birth can be an incredibly stressful and anxiety-provoking time, with many women left feeling deeply traumatised at the end. Too often they are overwhelmed and disempowered by the delivery process, especially in hospital.

A study by NHS watchdog the Care Quality Commission (CQC) found that one in four women reported being left alone in labour, despite their evident anxiety. Almost half say they weren’t given enough support after the birth.

Women who are anxious are more likely to have complications giving birth and are at greater risk of postnatal depression. A doula reduces the risk of both. I’d recommend one to every pregnant woman.