Doula
Posted by claire lochrie on Sunday, August 28, 2011
Many years ago I read a wonderful book called Baby Catcher written by a homebirth midwife in America during the 70-early 90s. Whilst reading I had this overwhelming feeling that this was what I wanted to do, how wonderful to support and assist women in birthing their babies! So, with a few pauses on the way, I finished my nursing the degree with the express intention of becoming a midwife when my family was in a position to cope with me studying again. I realised that it would take at least 2 years of learning to become a midwife and many years in the hospital setting before I was able to support women in choosing their homebirth. I had a rather large epiphany in there somewhere as well: all the things I really wanted to do as a midwife I would be able to do as a Doula. So rather than bringing the stress of studying for and then working as a midwife, especially in the current and rather shocking political climate, home to my family I now understand that Doula work is everything that I was wanting anyway, and a lot less stressful.
So it is with great joy and excitement that I have started my course to become a birth and post partum Doula. If you live in the Perth Metro area and are wanting a student doula to support you during and/ after birth then please email me.
A Doula, for those who are unsure, is a professional birth, or early parenting, support person. We are taught about the basics of how birth and the post partum time works, and how we can support families during this time. From practicalities like getting heat packs, massage, putting some washing on or assitance with breastfeeding; to sharing information about common birthing practices and their benefits and risks; we provide emotional support for mothers AND fathers before, during and after birth; we can also advocate to a certain extent for families during birth. More than anything else we hope to be of genuine assistance in helping a family grow and develop, and supporting a woman on her journey to empowerment.
A Doula does not replace partners during birth. A Doula can support fathers by showing them massage techniques, supporting the mother and so allowing for breaks during a long labour, showing how to support a woman in certain birthing positions, or simply provide some reassurance and food.
Research has shown that a Doula working with a family during birth can reduce interventions by up to 40%.
Many families feel somewhat overwhelmed and maybe even a little bit lost after the birth of their baby, depending on their expectations and support. Confusion over sleeping arrangements, breastfeeding, nappying, soothing, vaccinations and everything in between can all be discussed with a Doula and often with simply some support and a little information the family can find their own way into parenting.
As a Doula I can offer particular assistance with Vaginal Birth After Caesarean (VBAC), Caesarean Births and recovery, Babywearing, of course, Breastfeeding, Elimination Communication and cloth nappies, Co Sleeping, Attachment Parenting, and Lotus Birth.
If you are interested and wish to discuss my role as a Doula, please feel free to email me on
indigococoons@yahoo.com.au
Many Blessings
Claire
So it is with great joy and excitement that I have started my course to become a birth and post partum Doula. If you live in the Perth Metro area and are wanting a student doula to support you during and/ after birth then please email me.
A Doula, for those who are unsure, is a professional birth, or early parenting, support person. We are taught about the basics of how birth and the post partum time works, and how we can support families during this time. From practicalities like getting heat packs, massage, putting some washing on or assitance with breastfeeding; to sharing information about common birthing practices and their benefits and risks; we provide emotional support for mothers AND fathers before, during and after birth; we can also advocate to a certain extent for families during birth. More than anything else we hope to be of genuine assistance in helping a family grow and develop, and supporting a woman on her journey to empowerment.
A Doula does not replace partners during birth. A Doula can support fathers by showing them massage techniques, supporting the mother and so allowing for breaks during a long labour, showing how to support a woman in certain birthing positions, or simply provide some reassurance and food.
Research has shown that a Doula working with a family during birth can reduce interventions by up to 40%.
Many families feel somewhat overwhelmed and maybe even a little bit lost after the birth of their baby, depending on their expectations and support. Confusion over sleeping arrangements, breastfeeding, nappying, soothing, vaccinations and everything in between can all be discussed with a Doula and often with simply some support and a little information the family can find their own way into parenting.
As a Doula I can offer particular assistance with Vaginal Birth After Caesarean (VBAC), Caesarean Births and recovery, Babywearing, of course, Breastfeeding, Elimination Communication and cloth nappies, Co Sleeping, Attachment Parenting, and Lotus Birth.
If you are interested and wish to discuss my role as a Doula, please feel free to email me on
indigococoons@yahoo.com.au
Many Blessings
Claire
Tags: doula "postpartum doula" "post natal doula" vbac cosleeping "elimination communication" "attachment parenting" "lotus birth" breastfeeding babywearing
