Belly Birth & Beyond ::: Doula Services :::

I don't have any agenda to push on you for your birth, I don't make decisions for you or give advice, I am employed by you to give you a personal service and facilitate all your needs along the way. I believe we have a right to know our options, 'cos if you don't know your options - you don't have any, do you? So, I can openly explain what options are available to you and the likely consequences of the choices you make and share my experiences and other clients experiences in similar or same situations, I guess offering you as many scenarios to draw from, exposing you to other womens experiences so you can take what you need and leave the rest, you will make your own informed decisions, I have no desire to tell you what to do, as that is not my role. I will assist you to find the information you require to make informed decisions by pointing you in the right direction or suggesting questions to ask yoru careproviders. I will offer you my extensive library of references, books, DVD's, I am available to attend appointments with caregivers with regular debriefs, introduce you to community groups that support you and attend with you, help you to create an ideal birth plan/preferences document to use as a communication tool for your birth team. It doesn't matter if you are birthing in a Private Hospital with Obstetric Care, or a Public Hospital with Midwifery Care or if you have an Independent Midwife and choose a homebirth, I work alongside all Professionals in Maternity & Neonatal Services. It's your journey, it's your baby, your body and your birth and you need to birth your baby where you feel safe and supported with the right people present! I will assist you like a big sister who's been there done that but without the emotional attachment or family obligation, not a total stranger yet not so familiar that you feel dutybound. If you like, I am viewed often as one of the wise women of the village/community that has many years birthing experience in supporting all kinds of births in all models of care who comes along to help facilitate the ideal environment you require to birth your baby. I do not do clinical tasks or medical examinations, however I do tune into your physiological signs and your emotional self and I am able to help you assess your own status during your labour while supporting your partner to support you and helping you both to surrender to this wonderful event in your lives. I will give your partner guidance as needed, assisting immediate needs, give gentle reminders, calm any nerves or ease any doubts and answer questions so freeing them up to focus on you.

I don't have to be in your face - a good Doula/Birth Worker/Birth Servant is fabulous at holding the sacred space that birth demands - she will only speak when it's necessary, she's great at being invisible when required and right there doing what you want her to do when you need her. Most likely you won't know if it's your partner or me doing that fabulous sacrum massage, we'll work together to keep you focused and run and get you what you need and get rid of what you don't want. We all work together as a team, I work for you, and although my presence is often highly valued and appreciated by the primary caregivers and other staff in any medical facility I work only for you, I don't work for the hospital or the Professionals. I am your hired help who becomes your pregnancy, birthing and post natal buddy able to answer many queries and offer many valuable contacts and services, such as allied health practitioners who can assist you and your baby and your whole family. I'm often that extra pair of hands always available to grab what is needed and because I get to know you well, I often know what you need or want next, so you don't even have to ask. We stay connected and communicate leading up to the big day/night - I am always available by phone 24/7 ring me if urgent, if it diverts please leave a message as I am probably in an appointment with another client or possibly at a birth or somewhere where the phone needs to be on silent - I always check my phone regularly and respond in priority of urgency and you are welcome to email 24/7, altho' if you need an immediate answer I ask that you ring, as emails will be attended to as I fit in online time sporadically.

I ask that you keep me informed of any updates during the pregnancy and early labour - even if you think it's silly or might not be the real thing, I'm always happy to hear your news and have any heads up to be 100% available for you when the moment occurs. I go on call for you approx 2 weeks prior to your due date, so this means I have all my affairs in order to come to you immediately and usually within the hour depending on distance/travel/circumstances, so lots of notice is always appreciated so I can manage other clients priorities and my own needs. I usually come to you as you start your active labour, some women like to stay at home as long as possible and some like to get settled into a labour room - I can help you to know when to make a move and honour your wishes for all your comfort measures throughout labour in the various settings you may find yourself. I have a bag of tricks I bring to births with me, beautiful essential oils and an oil burner if you like aromatherapy (I'll still check in with you on the day as you never know what you might like when you go into labour), I have brand new socks if you need them, hair ties/combs, lip balm, lovely facial sprays and light room fresheners, oils and tools for massage, reflexology and acupressure, a rebozo, fit ball, music, homeopathy, I can take photos of intimate moments with your partner, a few shots of the labour and the happenings on this journey, capture the moment of birth and those first precious glimpses and cuddles you have of your beautiful baby - the first breastfeed etc. I'll leave you to bond with your baby and your partner/family and go and rustle up some food, nice hot milos, teas and coffees for everyone and yummy toast with melted butter and jams or vegemite, I'll see that you are well hydrated and comfortable, baby is feeding well and you are settled into bed and tucked in for long cuddles and a rest before I leave. I will come to you whenever you are ready to debrief the birth or if you need some assistance with any post natal aspects (depending on what we have organised)