Doula services: how I help you

As a doula I provide personalised, holistic support to you and your family during your pregnancy, labour and birth, and the first few weeks of parenthood.

Overview:

• An initial obligation free 1 hour interview at a local café or other mutual venue;
• Two to Three prenatal visits to discuss a variety of topics to help formulate a birth plan that suits you and your partner;
• On Call for two weeks either side of your estimated due date;
• Continuous support for the duration of labour;
• Two postpartum home visits to help you settle into your new role with baby;
• Connecting you with external support groups as required.

Aims of Postnatal phase?

• Build trust and openness;
• Discover what you really need to know, what you’re afraid of, what you’re excited about;
• Practical tips and things both parents can do to help the process;
• Support for Dads and how to overcome their concerns;
• Building a Birth Plan by talking through your options so I can support your choices;
• Using evidence based practices we can practice breathing, visualisation and relaxation techniques, massage and acupressure to help cope with the intensity during birth and life;
• Be aware of other options and different possibilities and how to still give birth in an empowered environment, regardless of how the birth happens (with or without medical intervention);
• Talking through the first weeks with baby and helping to establish new ideas and routines.

Aims of Labour and birth phase?

• On Call from two weeks before your estimated due date;
• I am able to meet you at home during early labour and help you to travel to the place you are birthing;
• Provide continuity of emotional support to you and your partner.  Being able to draw on and bring back to remembrance all that we discussed around how you wanted your birth to be;
• Help encourage and support your partner to be as actively involved at the level he feels comfortable with;
• Engaging in the various labour coping strategies we have practiced together;
• Sometimes the most powerful thing a doula can do is to simply be in the room … holding space for you and your baby.  Only you can bring this baby into the world and we are all there to support YOU!
• Helping you to make informed decisions if unexpected or challenging situations arise;
• After delivery I will stay until you and your partner are comfortable together with your new baby. Usually around an hour or so after delivery;
• Assist with initial breastfeeding and making sure you’re comfortable to ask for further help;
• Having a back-up Doula for exceptional circumstances.

Aims of Postpartum Phase?

• Talking through your birth experience;
• Have your placenta made into capsules if desired;
• Mothering the new mother with keeping her rested, massage, nutrition and other care;
• Help with breastfeeding, newborn settling and sleeping;
• Checking in on how the rest of the family is settling in to having a new baby at home.

Also:

• Research with you any topics that arise during our discussions together;
• Borrow items from my educational and inspirational resource library;
• Access via email and phone contact during your pregnancy and the two weeks post birth.