• A doula, meaning a woman who “mothers the mother”, originally Greek for maid or servant, is a non-medical birth companion who provides guidance, encouragement, and education to parents, and supports them with the transition into parenthood. A doula will provide emotional and physical support during pregnancy, birth and postpartum, meaning the family will receive continuity of care from the start to finish of their pregnancy and postpartum journey. Read more in my blog.

  • A doula is another form of support, for mum, baby, and also the birth partner during pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period. A doula works in addition to your already existing birthing team, and advocates for you and your birth wishes before, during and post birth. A doula provides unbiased emotional, physicial, and educational support throughout this sacred time.

    Research shows that by having a Doula there is less likelihood of medical intervention during labour, instrumental deliveries reduce, there are fewer rates of caesarean, it reduces the use of pain medication, your length of labour decreases and your overall satisfaction of your birth experience is greater.

  • Every journey to pregnancy, birth and postpartum is unique, and I hope to work alongside parents to provide tailored care to meet your needs and support you in a way that allows you to embrace the process, while feeling confident, empowered, and knowledgeable throughout this transformational time. As a Doula I will work collaboratively alongside other healthcare professionals to provide client-centered care, and become a valued member of the birth team, assisting in meeting the mother’s birth wishes while providing continuity of care throughout pregnancy, birth and postpartum.

    Childbirth is both amazing and precious, while also overwhelming and scary, and as a Doula I will help to educate you about what to expect going into labour and birth. We will discuss what your birthing options are, what is happening to your body during the process, different types of pain relief, possible interventions and how best to navigate these, how to set up a safe calming birth space, how your partner can best support you during labour, in turn helping you both to feel prepared and informed for birth. I will provide comfort measures during labour as well as words of encouragement and reassurance, if you choose to have me at your birth.

    I will be there to support you emotionally from pregnancy, through labour and birth and beyond, think of me as your birth bestie! As much as I am there for the mother, I am also there to support the birth partner as it can often be an overwhelming time for them too.

    In the postpartum period, I will support you both as you navigate this new role of becoming parents by walking alongside you in the fourth trimester and provide assistance where needed, allowing the mother to rest, recover, be nourished and nurtured, while also giving you the space to get to know your little one. I am only a text or phone call away if you need help or support.

  • Antenatal support and education covers all things to best prepare you and your birth partner for labour and birth. This includes, but is not limited to:

    • Creating a birth preference list and birth map

    • Discussing prior birth experiences (if any)

    • Any fears you or your birth partner may have

    • Discuss techniques such as hypnobirthing, visualisation, relaxation, positive affirmations

    • Changes to your body as labour approaches and what happens during the stages of labour

    • Perceptions of pain and different forms of pain relief (medical and non-medical)

    • Setting up your birth space and how to keep the oxytocin flowing

    • Provide your birth partner practical tools to use throughout labour to support you

    • Education on optimal maternal positioning techniques

    • Interventions that may be advised and how to navigate these

    • Prepare and plan for postpartum to set you up for a supported recovery. I can help with meal prepping to ensure your freezer is well stocked or anything that enables you to rest in the fourth trimester

    Postpartum visits are to be used within the fourth trimester. This includes, but is not limited to:

    • A birth debrief

    • A meal, snacks, and drinks provided at each visit. The main meal will be provided by Feeding the Fourth, a meal service specifically designed for postpartum nourishment

    • Support with feeding, baby settling and sleep

    • Light housework or household tasks

    • Meal prep and cooking

    • Support with siblings

    • Pampering Mum

    • A listening ear and extra pair of hands to help hold you and your baby

    • A small care package for Mum

    • Suggestions or recommendations of other allied healthcare professionals who can also support you in your postpartum recovery