Heal Birth, Heal the Earth
(Jeannine Parvati Baker)
Holding the space for an empowered and joyous birth
‘I believe in your ability to birth’ - ‘You are heard’ -‘You are safe’ - ‘You are supported’
Doula Philosophy
I am often asked about my personal birth philosophy. I believe that the way parents’ decide to birth should be the way that they intend for life to unfold - with love. I believe that all mothers have the ability to birth their babies with calm and joy. Birthing babies is a very simple and natural process that, when entered into without fear and with good support, can be a most beautiful and satisfying experience for both parents and babies.
I believe that the way that babies are born into the family is important. Be curious about birth.... Imagine, if you were to be born again, what would make you feel loved, welcomed, nurtured and safe?
As a Doula my intention is to hold a safe, informed, gentle and honest space for you to prepare and explore, to be more curious, to learn to listen to your body, and to allow your own process to gently unfold.
Birth Yurt Doula Service
A Doula means ‘to mother the mother’ – A Doula is trained and experienced to support women and couples in pregnancy and childbirth. A Doula has training in the physiology of birth but is not medically trained, and will not provide medical care. A Doula provides one-on-one care, up to date pregnancy and childbirth information, physical support and emotional support. A Doula seeks to understand and work with you on your own birthing needs, and will provide continuous and individual labour care.
Having a Doula at your birth is a personal choice. Benefits of a Doula include:
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Continuity of care throughout pregnancy, labour and post birth
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Labour support at home and hospital
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Emotional and physical support
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Support for the whole family
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A Doula encourages self responsibility and self care
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As a Doula I encourage natural, informed, and empowered births
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Labour support at home and hospital
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I support you to consider what your own needs are around birth and that of your baby.
Initial visit
Your initial visit will usually last a few hours and will be a chance for us to get to know each other, talking about where you are at with your pregnancy and with your family, what your birth vision is, what thoughts you have around this and importantly, what you really want and need from your Doula.
How often do Doulas meet with you and what is involved?
There are no set rules for when and how long a Doula will meet with couples during the pre-natal period. What is important is that you have the time to build rapport and you feel completely safe with your Doula. Doula visits are usually in your home, and may include:
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Birth planning, labour and birth options
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Preparing for birth
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Relaxation techniques, breathing, guided meditations and massage
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Provision of emotional support for pregnancy, birth and family
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Fear release techniques, visualisations and one-on-one support for your needs
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Up-to-date information and resources; including wider support networks
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Friendly and informal chats
What is the Doula’s role in Labour?
A Doula provides personal and individualised care for couples during labour. A Doula is present with couples through the labour and birth process. It is a consistent, trusting and gentle support, which is non interventionist and not interfering. A Doula maintains a calm and warm birthing space for couples, by knowing their needs and wants and working with these.
A Doula can also be a quiet (or suitably strong!) reminder that birth is natural, that there is nothing to fear and that ‘you can do it’. Support includes physical nurturing (massage and natural support options); relaxation and breathing, emotional support, discussing options, and very practical assistance where required.
The Doula will normally stay with the couple for a few hours after the birth, as required, and can assist with initial breastfeeding and settling. Doulas also provide some post partum support.
What about Dads and Partners?
As a Doula I support dads and partners to support the birthing mother. I support and compliment their important role. It is during the pre-natal visits that the birthing couple discuss their specific needs and decide on the best way that the Doula can support them both during this important time.
Intimacy is one of the most beneficial and effective kinds of support that a partner can offer to the mother during pregnancy and birth. It is love that helps labour progress and it is with love that women can joyously birth her baby into the world.
A Doula provides support to Dads and partners through provision of information, holding the space, and providing practical options for support. A Doula is a trusted and familiar face that reminds Dads and partners to stay present to the labour process, that they are important, and enough.
Please go to Support Information or feel free to Contact Me for further information.
“Whatever its form, genuine support comes from a positive-intention to "hold the space for the mother" in the belief that she is, moment-by-moment discovering how to birth. As a doula, I am witness to the unspeakable power of birth, maidens turning into mothers, and various dances of madness in the face of unchecked fears. I am all too aware, when a doula is prideful or too busy doing and knowing in birth, she forfeits being touched by the great mystery of birth. And, if no one in the labour room is in touch with that great mystery, and no one is "holding the space" by being truly present, there is the greatest risk of all -- that the mother, even though she gives birth to the child, might not realize she is also being born -- as a mother -- during her rite of passage. ‘"Holding" the labouring mother in a safe, secure, heart-space is the best gift a doula can give”. Pam England