Frequently Asked Questions
What does a Doula actually do?
As a Doula, I use my wisdom and experience intuitively to support you mentally and physically through your prenatal and postpartum experience, your labour and your birth. This is called 'continuity of care' and has been found to be a vital ingredient in happy, healthy labours, births and babies. I am guided by the depth of my knowledge of undisturbed birth and about you.
I meet with you frequently throughout your pregnancy to make sure you are supported in your decisions and your journey to make it happen. I have an extensive list of resources that we can tap into to discover what choices are right for you. Each session is intuitively guided to provide what is right for you in each moment.
I offer counselling and fear release at all stages and honour your partner and the connection you share together throughout the process. I do not replace your partner, pregnancy, labour and birth are a massive job and I support both of you in this unique time of life. We have a session before the birth to align with the plan as a team. If your partner is busy or you don’t have a partner, I can be the one by your side at the birth.
During the birth, my support can range from very practical hands-on things such as keeping the birth pool warm, or massaging you, to more mental and emotional support such as counselling and fear release. I am there with you from the point you consider you need some extra support, wisdom or another pair of hands until your little one is snuggled in your arms.
I bring calmness, grounding and hold sacred space for you during the birth. Sometimes it doesn’t look like I actually ‘do’ anything, and that is magic in itself. My backseat position confirms the full knowledge and trust I have in you. That is me holding space for you and energetically cheering you on until the moment you need anything more from me. Sometimes this even means simply waiting outside the door, leaving you to labour in privacy until you ask.
I support you to vision what your postpartum time might look like and how to make steps to bring this into reality. This is one of the biggest transitions of your life.
I believe birth works, and that it is a normal and natural event that has a deep and lasting impact on a woman’s life. I can’t guarantee how your birth will turn out, but I can guarantee to offer my wisdom and emotional support in the case something doesn’t quite go as you imagined it.
Each package is tailored to meet your own individual needs, and wishes, and is intuitively guided.
I don’t live in Hawkes Bay, Can you still be my Doula?
Yes, I will travel for the right match.
I can offer Doula counselling and support online, and then travel to attend your birth if that feels like the right choice for both of us.
I also offer Doula Wisdom sessions which women have been accessing from all over the world, These are simply done by phone or video call and are intuitively guided into what you might need to learn or know or hear.
Will you show share all the details on social media?
This part is up to you. My desire will always be to share the beauty and incredible nature of birth in all of its forms, but ultimately, it is your body and your baby so it is your choice what gets shared. I will always respect your decision.
Some clients choose to show their body and not their face, and some are comfortable to show their face and not their body. Some just want to share the glory of all aspects of their empowered birth with the world!
How can you be a birth photographer at the same time as being my Doula?
These two roles pair beautifully together. I use both of my skill sets intuitively in each moment. We will discuss this together so I can hear where your priorities lie and know how best to support you in each moment.
The beautiful thing about having one person to cover both aspects is that it keeps the number of people present at the birth down.
What if my partner doesn’t want their photograph taken?
I am aware of each person's needs in the birth space, and keep this in mind at all times. I will respect the decisions of you and your partner at all times.
However, just think about the possibility of your partner changing their mind after the birth and remember that is easy to delete something that already exists, yet impossible to create something that isn’t there.
What if I am in labour for more than 24 hours?
Labour can be long and really hard work, especially for a first-time mum. However, there is no limit to my time. I will be there for as long as you need.
The benefit of a Doula is that she has many tips and tricks to make sure you have all you need, so that labour can progress naturally. It can also lead to a shorter, less painful labour and birth, with less trauma.
Can my partner be my Doula?
Your baby's other parent is your baby's other parent, not a doula. While they will not be physically birthing your baby, your birth is also one of the most momentous occasions of their life. He or she will naturally have overwhelming feelings and needs of their own during the process that may or may not affect the level of doula-type support they can offer.
Many couples birth together beautifully without outside support! Others invite a doula to support the whole birthing family so each person can bring their best to meeting their new baby.
Very practically, it can be difficult for your partner to take breaks, eat, etc. if they are your one-and-only support person. It can also bring your partner peace of mind to have someone present who knows labour and birth and can help them navigate new or challenging situations. A doula does not replace your partner or chosen birth partner, but supports your partner to better support you to meet you baby together.
How is a Doula different from a Midwife?
A Doula mothers the mother. Our attention and support are completely with the mother, catering to her wants and needs and offering mental, physical and emotional support. We do not have medical training.
A Doula advocates for your choices, particularly in the trance of labour when you want your rational brain to be switched off, but we won’t make decisions for you. A Doula will support you to make your own choice as to what feels best for you in each moment.
Midwives on the other hand have medical training and during the birth process, focus on delivering a healthy baby.
What is the evidence for Doula-assisted Birth?
Compared to national averages, the research indicates families who have doulas have:
• Shorter labours
• Fewer medical interventions
• Lower caesarean rates
• Healthier babies
• Happier mothers
• More positive birth experiences
There are no documented negative outcomes associated with doula-assisted labour and birth.
How do I know you are going to be at my Birth?
Mostly because if I am meant to be there, I will be there.
Also, I only take two birth clients per month, which allows me to serve you with quality of care and the attention you deserve.
Learn More:
Evidence Based Birth: The Evidence for Doulas :
https://evidencebasedbirth.com/the-evidence-for-doulas/
The Journal of Perinatal Education: Continuous Labour Support:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1595190/
Ausmed: The Midwife and the Doula: the Case for Continuous Care in Labour:
https://www.ausmed.com/articles/midwife-and-doula/
The Journal of Perinatal Education: Women's Perceptions of Their Doula Support: