birth doula services
BIRTH SUPPORT
My birth support generally includes all that is outlined below but can be adapted and changed to suit your individual needs. Your experience of pregnancy and birth is a unique and deeply personal experience, so I adapt to provide individualised support while I join you on this exciting and sometimes daunting journey into parenthood.
an initial meeting at the place of your choice. This will give you a chance to see whether you feel that we’re a good fit since this is a very important part of choosing your doula!
two or more antenatal meet-ups in your home to allow us to get to know each other better. This is where the highly individualised approach comes in. I want to hear about your birth preferences and all of your hopes (and we can gently work through any fears). I will help you to prepare mentally and physically for birth and we will practice comfort measures and discuss how partners can provide hands-on support. If you are attending group classes for antenatal preparation, we’ll consolidate what you’ve already learned and fill in any gaps. This is also an opportunity to help you plan for your postpartum period and your feeding journey (this important area is often more of an afterthought and I feel it is so important to discuss and plan for this)
sharing of resources and access to my library of pregnancy and breastfeeding related books, regular support and regular communication by phone/WhatsApp and perhaps a coffee or two during the weeks leading up to your birth
a visit with you to your care provider to discuss your birth preferences
being on call 24 hours per day from 38 weeks until your baby is born
continuous support for the duration of your active labour and birth, and up to 2 hours postnatally providing a trusting and calm environment and focusing on your comfort and your needs
taking candid photos on your phone or mine during labour and birth if you wish me to
a postnatal debrief at home where we can discuss how your birth unfolded and I can provide breastfeeding support
a written birth report/timeline from the notes that I take during your labour and birth - all new parents that I have supported seem to really appreciate this as it can be difficult to remember the details of how your labour and birth unfolded!
regular check ins via WhatsApp in the weeks following your birth. I want you to feel really well supported
Please contact me if you would like to arrange a free of charge inital discovery meeting with no obligation.
‘My only regret is that I did not contact Jane sooner, if I could go back in time she'd be the first person I'd call as soon as I knew I was pregnant! She is an incredibly supportive and caring person, always there to listen to the worries of an anxious mom-to-be, and offer both emotional support and reassurance by educating you about pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding. She supported me in preparing for birth, helped me ask the right questions to my doctors and advocated on my behalf without ruffling anyone's feathers. While some of the medical staff in Belgium sometimes still seemed a bit skeptical about the idea of a doula, upon meeting Jane they were all won over! I also really appreciated what meticulous notes Jane took during the birth, resulting in a beautifully written birth report, which not only helped me process the experience but will be a document I cherish in years to come’.
Our antenatal preparation sessions will be in the comfort of your own home and will be tailored to your needs. I have found that many couples and single mothers by choice who are seeking my doula support prefer to attend group courses for their antenatal preparation, in which case I will adapt to complement what you have already learned. If you prefer a one-to-one approach, I am very happy to offer a series of three or more antenatal preparation sessions where we will cover birth physiology, how to achieve a more relaxed, confident and comfortable birth, meditation and breathing practice, developing a birth plan, signs of labour, comfort measures and the role of the birth partner, preparing for breastfeeding, postpartum planning, matrescence, the fourth trimester and more.
Jane was everything I was looking for in a doula, and I really can’t recommend her enough. I’m sure my birth wouldn’t have been the same positive and empowering experience without her. During my pregnancy, Jane helped me create my birth plan, making me aware of options I didn’t even know were available and helping us prepare for the birth. She also joined us at a scheduled hospital appointment to discuss the birth plan with my doctor. In the lead-up to the birth, I was nervous and in touch with Jane almost daily through messages and calls. She always provided thoughtful support and guidance. During labour, she was a calm and supportive presence, intuitively knowing what we needed and when. Jane also shared photos and notes from our son’s birth that I will treasure forever. She provided wonderful support in establishing breastfeeding amidst lots of conflicting advice. If I have another pregnancy, I will definitely want Jane by my side again’.
Click on the tiles below for more information on antenatal preparation and continuous support (the photos show wonderful examples of partners helping with the comfort measures that we practiced together):
