what does it look like to have a doula at your birth?
The support you invite into your birth space adds a distinct flavour to your experience of labour and birth - it’s not a decision to be taken lightly. You might have any mix of people, including a care provider such as a midwife, your partner, family members, older siblings, a photographer, a doula. The support team you curate will be as unique as you are, though one factor does remain consistent across every birth - the need to feel safe.
This is where I come in: a birth doula is a non-medical birth professional whose entire focus is on supporting you as you traverse your journey through birth.
This process encompasses much more than simply showing up on the day. We aim to build a close, caring relationship during your pregnancy so that you can feel completely calm + comfortable with my presence at your birth.
“We aim to build a close, caring relationship during your pregnancy so that you can feel completely calm + comfortable with my presence at your birth”
An experience working with me as a doula at your birth may look like this:
☼ After your initial inquiry, we’ll have a chat over coffee or via video chat to get to know each other and see if we’re the right fit.
☼ Once you’ve booked one of my packages, you’ll be able to text or email me for any support you need in between our appointments.
☼ We’ll have at least one prenatal appointment (depending on which package you choose) where we:
chat about how you’re feeling about your pregnancy experience so far
determine your values and expectations around your birth experience
go over common practices + what may be offered to you during your birth
make a plan for how we can call in the kind of birth experience you’re looking for by communicating your wishes to the rest of your support team
go over comfort measures you can practice with a support person ahead of time
lend you books from my pregnancy, birth + parenting library
connect you with community and online resources
show me around your home so I am able to easily support you with practical things once baby comes
☼ From 37 weeks (or earlier if you are aware of a potential premature birth) until the birth of your baby, I will be on call, ready to attend your birth. Currently, I am only accepting bookings for homebirth - however, if you are planning a homebirth and your needs change during pregnancy I will continue support you at any birth location.
☼ When you request my presence at your birth, I’ll be there within two hours (usually within one hour, but this depends on your location). Once I arrive, I will quietly go to work doing any combination of the following:
offering physical comfort (massage, acupressure, gentle touch, hip squeezes, holding shower heads, a hand to squeeze)
taking photographs (on your phone or mine)
offering food/drink to you and your birth team
offering encouragement + suggestions (previously discussed during birth planning) around breathing + positions
offer direction to other family or friends supporting you
supporting you through any decision-making that may arise + clarifying any options or requests you’re unsure of
maintaining the physical environment (bath temperature, lighting, essential oils, music, privacy)
supporting the initiation of breastfeeding + the golden hour/s
supporting you to shower, eat/drink + feel refreshed after birth
tucking you in to bed + tidying your birth space
☼ In your first day as a family I will give you space to settle together, checking in with you via text during the day.
☼ We’ll have a postpartum visit around the 24 hour mark after the birth of your child (rounding to fit in business hours) and at least one additional postpartum appointment (depending on which package you choose) where we might do any of the following:
make sure you’re fed, hydrated, showered + comfortable
offer to prepare a soothing herbal bath for just you, or you + baby
offer the opportunity to voice any feelings you have about your birth, motherhood, your baby - anything
chat about + offer solutions for any struggles with baby care, breastfeeding, sleep, nappies or babywearing
go over any resources that might be useful to you (books, other professionals, helplines, mothers groups, podcasts, websites etc.)
get dinner prepared or a stash of snacks made up for you
offer help with light housework such as tidying, dishes + laundry
give you a chance to sleep while I care for baby
☼ We can also add extra prenatal or postpartum appointments as you need, including specific appointments such as preparing a Montessori + RIE inspired home environment, a low-tox home overhaul, or essential oils for labour + birth.
Whatever vision you have for your birth experience, I would love to support you in bringing it to life. You can view a list of the packages I offer by clicking below.