A Doula is a support person who will meet with you and your family before birth to help you assess what kind of birth you are hoping for, allay some fear you may have and give you tangible tools to take with you into birth and beyond. Birth Doulas will attend your birth with you if you wish (whether that be at home, birth centre, hospital…or all three!) and add an extra level of support, confidence and comfort during birth. Doulas will advocate for you during birth when and if you are not able to, in order for you to have the best possible birth experience.
Natalie works with a collective of of Doulas to ensure that you are ALWAYS supported. If there is an unforeseeable circumstance preventing me attendance at your birth, one of these wonderful souls is on backup om-call (and vice-versa) meaning no mama is ever left unattended.
There is now a growing body of scientific research to reinforce what has anecdotally and traditionally been known for a long time: continuous female support in labour increases your chances of having a normal birth. It has also been shown to shorten your labour time and increase positive birth experiences as well as reduce perception of pain in labour – pretty great, eh?
If you are hoping to birth vaginally, hiring a Birth Doula can reduce your risk of intervention during labour making the likelihood of a normal labour requiring instrumental assistance or operative birth much less likely. Hooray!
For women who know that their baby will be coming out through the sun roof (planned Cesarean section), birth Doulas can still work as their advocate and assist in normalising the process and procedure.
Birth Doulas are expert birth support people and can help release your fears surrounding birth, whatever that birth looks like to you.
Whatever your birth journey looks like hiring a Birth Doula can help it feel SHORTER, LESS PAINFUL, MORE ENJOYABLE, EASIER & FULLY SUPPORTED.
Doulas act as a wonderful adjunct to your birth provider (midwife/obstetrician), but does not replace it. Doulas are also there to offer EMOTIONAL, PHYSICAL & INFORMATIONAL SUPPORT to the whole family. Birth is a unique and intense period, and everyone involved needs a little hand-holding at times – that includes partners/siblings/grandparents – and Doulas are well placed to do that so that you can focus on doing what you need to birth a tiny person earthside!
We offer a unique experience combining hypnobirthing techniques and Doula know-how.
Birth preparation – no need for additional prenatal classes
Hypnosis techniques
Fear Release/Surrender techniques
Positive Birth Talk
Active Birth strategies
Breathing techniques
Affirmations & Visualisations
Massage