Women's needs during childbirth are complex - physical and emotional, In addition to the safety of modern medicine, and the love and companionship of their partner, women need consistent, continuous reassurance, comfort, encouragment and respect. Research has shown that providing this means better outcomes - better bonding between parents and baby, less unnecessary interventions. Women need individualised care based on their personal circumstances and preferences.

What is a Doula?

The word ‘doula’ is an ancient Greek word meaning "Woman who serves", and today refers to a specially trained birth companion who provides labour support. A doula is a non-medical birth support person who does not replace a midwife, obstetrician or partner. The purpose of the doula is to ‘mother the mother’. In taking care of her emotional and practical needs, she supports her and her partner in having the experience of birth they wish for.

The presence of a known and trusted person in labour has been quantified by science to make for a more positive outcome of labour and birth. Above all, a doula is present to ‘hold the space’ for the couple, sometimes providing a buffer between the inner world and the outside activity in the birth room, so that their experience of birthing their child is sacred and as they wish.

“Research shows that if a woman has continuous hands-on nurturing and encouragement from a sympathetic companion throughout her labour she is less likely to:

• Need medical pain relief

• Need an operative delivery (ie forceps, ventouse or caesarean)

• Have her baby become distressed during labour, or need medical assistance after birth.

And more likely to

• Have a spontaneous vaginal birth

• Be satisfied with her birth experience and feel she was more in control.”

[From Birth – Catherine Price & Sandra Robinson]

What Does a Doula Do?

• Advocates, holds, calms, reassures, massages and encourages birthing women and their partners.

• Assists couples to understand their birthing options and to make informed choices.

• Provides a constant supportive presence before, during and after the birth.

• Mothers the mother after the baby is born.

My Doula Service

My service tailor-made for each couple, but usually I provide:

• Two 2 hour home visits during the months preceding your due date

• On-call telephone link in the pregnancy and initial stages of labour

• Availability of rental TENS units for use during the labour

• Attendance during the labour and birth of your baby

• A 2 hour debriefing visit after the birth of your baby

The birth of my first daughter was an amazing, transformational experience for me. I was helped by women and by my partner to overcome the fear I felt surrounding birth, and discovered my own reserves of power and courage. Supporting a friend at the birth of her second child, I was blown away by the strength of women, and realised that I could make a real difference to the way couples experience birth.

I believe it is important for every couple to have the knowledge and support to make their own decisions about their birth experience. I support couples at births with an open heart and mind. I enjoy being able to help couples work better together, and to “serve” them when they need assistance. I can support couples with whatever birth is right for them and their baby whether it is a natural birth, caesarean, VBAC, waterbirth or something else. I love being able to make a real difference to families’ experience and memories of birth.

TENS Machines

I also have TENS units available for hire to use as drug-free pain relief. Contact me if you want any more information about these.

Have a look at my website - www.birthpartner.com.au - for more information about TENS hire or my birth support doula service.