Birth Doula

You can work together from the moment you find out you're pregnant!

If you contact me early in your pregnancy, then we have more time and flexibility to plan our prenatal meetings, and you have more of your pregnancy to enjoy my support, build a trusting relationship together.

Some women like to book everything as early as possible, so everything is set up and ready and they can relax.

But if you've found me at the end of your pregnancy, that's ok! Just contact me to see if I have availability, and you can definitely hire me as a last minute booking!

A common question I hear is "will my partner feel left out?" and this is a very valid question. Alot of people worry that a doula will take over the birth partner role, and their partners (wife, husband etc), will be left out.

Actually the opposite is true. As a birth doula, I spend time with you and your partner, to work out what support you need from me, and what you see us both doing to support you. I'm not just there for you, I'm there for your partner too. Sometimes birth can be overwhelming for partners. They know you and understand you, but sometimes they don't know how to support you during birth. I can show them, encourage them, guide them, we can work together as a team. But it's really an individual thing - some couples are very intimate during birth, so I watch and listen and sometimes step back a little. Or your relationship dynamics might mean that your partner isn't so hands on and involved, or maybe your partner needs a break. I can be there for you.

During our prenatal meetings, we discover what support you'll need during birth and what your wishes are, but certainly your birth partner can be involved as little or as much as you both want - I'm there to support you both.

Oh yes! As a birth doula, I support all types of birth. Whether you have a planned c-section or an 'emergency' c-section, or any other type of medical intervention, I will help you find your voice and make sure your wishes are heard. I will help you make informed decisions, providing you with the necessary evidence-based information, making sure you know all your options. Supporting you emotionally and physically too.

If your birth takes a different turn to what you had hoped and planned, then as a doula I can help make that journey more smooth and a positive experience for you, ensuring that you are seen, heard and treated with respect, and that you have all the tools to help you cope with the change plan, help you cope physically and emotionally.

If you have a c-section birth, depending on your local hospital's protocols, I can go into the operation room with your partner, or instead of your partner, to be with you to support you through the birth.

If you have medical pain relief (epidural etc), my support as your doula will not change. I'm there for you no matter what happens, offering non-judgmental support.

There's a big difference!

A midwife provides medical care, while a doula provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support throughout pregnancy and birth.

I am there to support and guide you during pregnancy and birth with physical, emotional, spiritual and informational non-biased, non-judgmental support, totally tailored to your individual needs. I think outside the 'medical box', offering suggestions that align with your wishes.

We spend time together during your pregnancy to really get to know one another to build a trusting relationship. I'll listen to your fears, your worries, your concerns, your dreams, wishes and needs. I make sure your voice is heard, that your wishes and needs are met, that you're the queen of the birthing room and are treated with respect and love.

I will be by your side throughout your birth, continuously. Your midwife (or Obstetrician or Gyneacologist) might not be able to be with your continuously (they may have other birthing women giving birth at the same time as you). Research shows that having continuous care during your birth can increase the likelihood of having a more positive experience, less need for pain relief and less chance of having a c-section. Studies show that women with continuous support during birth feel more supported, safe, confident and positive.

Yes! You can pay by instalments. Just let me know if this is something that might help you and we can discuss the options and agree on a payment plan.

Giving birth is very intimate and making sure you have the right birth team is important. Your birth doula needs to be someone you feel comfortable with, who you can feel relaxed with, and be yourself. Someone who supports you without her own opinions, biases or judgment. Someone who listens to you and holds space for all emotions, negative and positive.

Feeling safe and free to be yourself during birth is very important (those birth hormones rely on you feeling safe and relaxed), so choose a doula that makes you feel this way.

I recommend meeting some doulas to see if you have a good connection with them. Of course, you can ask them questions about their experience and skills. Maybe you want a doula who is experienced in massage? Maybe you want someone with experience with homebirth, or who have attended c-sections - ask questions and make sure your doula is a good match for you.

If you're wondering if I could be your doula, then let's meet up for a cuppa! We can meet up in person or online via Zoom (with no obligation to book) - we can have a good chat, talk about your ideal birth, you can ask questions, your partner might also want to meet me, and then you can decide if there's a good connection between us, if we're a good match.

I want you to feel comfortable with me, relaxed enough to be yourself and share your fears, hopes and dreams. I want you to think of me as a good friend by your side.