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Birth Support

What would you do if I told you that you are going to run a marathon in 9 months - whether you want to or not?

Would you go into the event thinking "Yeah, I'll see how I go. Sure it will go on for hours and hurt a bit, but I can always stop when it gets too hard"? Or would you start training, educating yourself about your body and how it works? Would you pick a support team willing to help you with training and be there for you on the day? A support team that will help you to overcome any self-doubt that might creep up along the way. I don't know about you, but I would start choosing my team!

My birthing philosophy

As a woman of the 21st century you have the right to choose the kind of birth you want. Time and time again research has shown that the SAFEST way to give birth is through natural, physiological birth. This is why I am an advocate for keeping birth as natural as possible. Birth can be the most empowering thing you will ever do. It is an amazing start to your motherhood journey.

And I am here to help you.

Why?

Why should I consider a birth attendant / doula

Multiple studies have shown that if you have an experienced support person with you during labour you are:

  • more likely to have a natural "spontaneous vaginal birth"
  • more likely to have a shorter labour
  • more likely to have a baby with a higher newborn Apgar score
  • more likely to have an overall better birth outcome
  • significantly more likely to successfully initiate breastfeeding
  • more likely to still be breastfeeding 6 weeks after birth

You could be one of these women who are happier about their birthing experience!

Need more reasons?

Studies have also shown that having a doula's support through your labour means that you are LESS likely to:

  • be induced
  • have a caesarean birth
  • have an instrumental vaginal birth (birth requiring instruments like forceps or vacuum)
  • require pain relief
  • require regional anaesthetic (epidural and spinal analgesia)
  • experience a birth complication involving yourself or the baby
  • have a baby with a low birth weight

One study suggested that continuous support was most effective when the birth attendant was neither part of the hospital staff nor the woman's social network. I would love to be your helpful stranger!

How

How can a doula help me?

If you are a first-time mum, giving birth can be quite confronting. The same can be said if you are a second-time mum whose first labour was a traumatic experience. Of course you are excited to finally meet your tiny person but you probably have mixed feelings about birth.

Maybe you are scared or just unsure about what is awaiting you. Even if you think that you are going to rock this birth thing and you are totally up for the challenge right now, it is still exactly that; a challenge. There will be a lot of unknown feelings and symptoms.

I am here to guide you through all of this, to encourage you and give you confidence in your ability to birth your baby. Most importantly, I will give you continuous support.

Continuous support

Women expect hospital staff to offer support during labour and postpartum. It's a no-brainer! That is why we go to hospital. However, many women are unsatisfied with the amount of time and the quality of support they get from their medical providers. One study found that new mothers expected their nurse to spend 53% of her time offering support, but only 6-10% of the nurse's time was actually engaged in labour support activities. Continuous support through labour by a dedicated birth attendant has been proven to result in better birth outcomes for mothers.

Emotional support

Empowering you during labour can take many shapes and forms. It may be through verbal reassurance, praise or a calming touch. I am there to make you feel safe throughout the birth and the weeks leading up to it.

Physical support

I will guide you through different labour techniques and birth positions to find what works for you. There is no one ‘right’ way. You may need different techniques at different times. In addition, you will often need help to move from one birthing position to another. I can assist you in this, or show your partner how to do this safely.

Informational support

Making informed decisions is key to a positive birthing experience. I am familiar with the birthing process, birthing positions for an active labour, available pain relief options – their individual pros and cons, breastfeeding and lactation tips and tricks, common aches and pains of pregnancy and common challenges of adjusting to life with a newborn.

Communication support

Sometimes medical providers prefer labouring women to be compliant, obedient, easily manageable, pain-free and comfortable in their labour. A quiet patient is a good patient, right? Unfortunately, these interventions can have negative impacts on the birth outcome. I facilitate communication between you and hospital staff, even other support people (husband, family and friends). Through me you can voice your wants, needs and concerns. Simultaneously, I help to simplify the messages from the medical provider.

Cost

How much does this service cost?

For $970 you will receive:

  • 2 prenatal visits, up to 2 hours long
  • pregnancy and birth related resources
  • assistance in preparing your personal birth plan
  • phone and email support
  • 24hr on call support from 37 weeks until the birth
  • continuous labour support during active labour at your house and in hospital
  • 2 postnatal visits
  • a back up doula

Through my assistance you may be able to reduce stress and anxiety before, during and after the birth. Having courage in your birthing abilities can have a vastly positive effect on your stamina while giving birth.

Husbands, partners, mums, dads, siblings and other personal support people can also benefit from some assistance in supporting you in a way that is physically and emotionally fitting while you are in labour.

I will be available to you via phone and email, face to face consult times, two before and two after the birth, and continuous support during your labour.

I will not be able to give you medical advice, this is what the doctors and nurses are for.

I will not be able to make decisions for you. It's your body, your baby and your kind of birth!

Give me a call for a chat!