HAVING A DOULA REDUCES LENGTH OF LABOUR BY 25%
* Klaus and Kennell (1993)
2024 Calendar Availability:
April, May, June, July, August, September - One place available per month
October 2024 - One place available EDD on or after 20/10/24
November 2024 - One place available on or after 10/11/24
December 2024 - One place available with EDD on or before 10/12/24
** Due to undertaking Midwifery Degree (3rd year) - I am only able to offer a few places this year.
WHY A BIRTH DOULA?
Seeking a birth doula to accompany you (and your partner, if applicable) is one of the most important decisions you MUST consider. Rewind 5 years, and a birth doula was not really heard of here in NZ, but as the midwifery shortage is being felt more so than ever, a trusted birth support companion and the continuity of care is on the rise. During COVID, our borders were closed and our families unable to join us. Doulas became more than just a ‘luxury’. Doulas became a necessity.
As an experienced birth doula (six years certified), I offer education about our NZ maternity system - what to expect, help you navigate how to find an LMC (midwife or Obstetrician), the best place to birth for you based on your thoughts and beliefs, education around optimal pregnancy, labour and birth positioning, pain relief tools for labour/birth, access to a ton of pregnancy/birth/postpartum books, discuss research around some of the decisions you are going to have to make, help you create a birth plan (or two) as well as access to my holistic health preparations, should this be of interest to you.
I will guide you through your journey, based on the decisions that best support you - and only YOU can decide this. I offer realistic advice and an open heart.
If you are particularly fearful of birth or have had a previous traumatic birth, I can provide you with the tools to guide you through at your own pace. When we truly get to the ‘core’ or the ‘depths’ of our fears, our birthing experience, no matter how our baby is birthed, can be a truly empowering experience.
By seeking to really understand the physiology of childbirth, you are much less likely to be afraid of the birthing process. I cover this in much depth through my role of a childbirth educator (Lamaze & HypnoBirthing).
If you have birth trauma to unravel, I am able to offer separate Birth Trauma sessions as a Certified Healing Birth Practitioner, please see more here
During your labour and birth, I help guide you with breath work, massage and acupressure, homeopathic/Bach flower essences (if you wish), affirmations and intuitive guidance when needed. If you have a partner, I will ensure that they are supported too - which may look like: guidance and reassurance, education on the physiological birth process & what to expect, the ability to be able to rest and eat (particularly long labours).
Having a birth doula will be one of the absolute BEST investments you could ever make for yourself and your partner (if applicable).
Make your birth experience greatly supported and empowering by including an experienced birth doula in your birth journey!
Homebirth - May 2021
Not sure if you want full Birth Doula support? Are you seeking birth preparation support?
If you are utterly confused with all your options, not sure about your options, need additional support with your birth plan then perhaps a 2hr Birth Preparation Consult is the way to go for you.
This consult covers in depth info including: where you can birth, why your rapport with your LMC matters, optimal positioning for labour/birth (including Spinning Babies techniques), the use of aromatherapy oils/homeopathic & Bach flower preparations for emotional wellbeing, resources and research (Vit K, Induction etc). Please note that I do have a specific emphasis on aiming for a normal, physiological birth for those wishing to birth either at home or at a birthing centre. If you have no option but to birth at a hospital, this is also a very good option for you in helping you make informed decisions. Book here now
What Past Clients have to say about my Birth Doula Support:
We engaged Angela as our doula for the birth of our first baby, due October 2022. Being a first time mum and someone who likes to plan and be prepared as much as possible, we met with Angela early in my pregnancy and then a number of times throughout the nine months leading up to my labour. As first time parents, not knowing what to expect and how the labour would pan out, we were hoping for an extra layer of support throughout the process, over and above what our midwife could offer, and we are so glad we chose to work with Angela. She is a very caring, compassionate and down to earth soul who made us feel very comfortable. She is knowledgeable in so many areas, I learned so much from her and continue to be in awe of everything she has accomplished so far.
On the day I went into labour, she really was a rock for me, alongside my partner. It was a long day, and having her there with us at home during early labour not only meant that my partner could take short breaks here and there, but she was able to provide much-needed guidance and reassurance about the stage I was at. When we transferred to the birth unit, part of my experience was a little scary and confusing at times - but Angela’s quiet and calm presence was incredibly reassuring. When it felt like everything was starting to fall apart, she was there telling me that we were nearing the end and that I could do it.
We are so grateful for the support that Angela provided us, and we hope that we can have her on our team again in future if we choose to expand our family - K & M Orawiec (Auckland)
With family unable to be with us due to visa issues, I looked into hiring a birth doula to support myself and my partner. Initially planning to give birth in a hospital (I felt this was the best place for me) I set about finding a doula. I interviewed 4 doulas, but settled on Angela, due to her expertise in several areas and that she made my partner and I so comfortable from the very first meeting. Having her as our birth support was the BEST decision we ever made. Angela went above and beyond to ensure that we were well informed (providing us with several resources) and confident in how we birthed and where we planned to birth. At 36 weeks, we were told our baby was breech. After Angela informed us of Spinning Babies, and providing us with a homeopathic remedy, Pulsatilla, our midwife was stunned that the day after baby had turned. Our fear around birth was resolved and we gave birth at Birthcare - the whole experience was beautiful and thanks to Angela and our amazing midwife, it was an experience that made me feel like the most clever person in the world.
If you are looking for a birth doula, I would recommend Angela 100% - M. Nhalisdah (Auckland)
As an older mum and suddenly finding myself going to be a single parent, I knew I needed lots of support in my pregnancy and birth. Angela came highly recommended to me through a friend who knew her through her fertility practice. Angela provided me with the reassurance that I needed from the outset. Through my pregnancy, she was my rock. I ended up needing an induction due to a health issue and the birth was long (nearly 3 days total) and Angela stayed with me the entire time. She helped advocate for me, massaged my lower back and had these tools for alleviating my lower back pain which was heaven! During the birth, I will never forget her strong, but warm presence. A few days after the birth, Angela debriefed the experience with me to help me better understand the experience.
We still remain in contact to this day. Angela, you will never know the depth of what you mean to me - B. Hoggett (Auckland)
** Further testimonials available on request
MEET YOUR BIRTH & POSTPARTUM DOULA
Here I am pictured with my youngest daughter, Isabella in 2010, last born of 3 children. My children are now all grown up with our oldest daughter now 23, our son now 20, with little Isabella who is now 13.
Why did I become a birth doula?
Not long after Isabella was born, I had persistent thoughts of training to be a midwife and planned to do just that once my children were older (and as at 2023, I am currently pursuing). Meanwhile, I fell into the role of becoming a birth & postpartum doula and childbirth educator once I discovered how I could educate, advocate and support new mothers & parents. Fascinated by all things pregnancy, labour, birth and the postpartum period - my deep interest was in a support role. I completed my childbirth education & certified through Lamaze International (Australia) in Brisbane 2018, returning again to complete my Birth Doula training in Melbourne, certifying through DONA International. To complete my vision, I returned to Brisbane again in 2019 and completed training & certification with HypnoBirthing International. As a mother I already had the role of “been there, done that” & could share my knowledge of course, but more importantly, the empathy you carry always stays within you having given birth yourself, and it is the most important aspect I can bring to the birthing mother (having been there myself three times!).
Being a birth & postpartum doula is a very privileged role - it is one I absolutely love and treasure.
To my role I bring knowledge through childbirth education and am able to realistically steer you through the ‘what is fact and what is fiction’, to how to keep you emotionally and physically supported through movement, position changes in labour and birth, massage & acupressure points with the use of aromatherapy oils specific to the labouring mother. I bring Hypnobirthing experience as an accredited educator, the use of Homeopathic & Bach Flower essences to draw on if required - (think Mary Poppins!) Most importantly, I am there by your side to ‘hold space’ for you & your birthing partner through your journey and transition from pregnancy through to motherhood/parenthood.
I look forward to the opportunity of meeting you and extending my support as your birth & postpartum doula.
BIRTH DOULA: A Birth Doula is a trained professional providing continuous physical, emotional and informational support to a mother before, during and shortly after childbirth. The primary goal is to help her achieve the healthiest, most satisfying birth experience possible.
I attend annual professional development:
Breastfeeding Education
Antenatal & Postpartum Mood Disorders, Parenting Education
Newborn Care & Support via DONA International
Lamaze International
Evidence Based Birth
Dr Sara Wickham
NZ Lactation Consultants Association
I have Level 2 St John First Aid & Mental Health training.
“Giving Birth Can Be The Most Empowering Experience Of A Lifetime - An Initiation Into A New Dimension Of Mind-Body Awareness”
Watch here the trailer of “Doula! The Perfect Birth Companion” (also available to hire or purchase) - **note caution while viewing due to sensitive nature of images.
READ: Informed Choice: Non-epidural Pain Relief -
https://sudburymidwives.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Pain-relief-in-Labour.pdf
Countless scientific trials examining doula care demonstrate remarkably improved physical and psychological outcomes for both mother and baby. Birth Doulas have a positive impact on the well-being of the entire family.
As your Birth Doula, I attend the duration of your labour and birth to provide both physical comfort measures and emotional support. I attend births at home, birthing units and hospital. Currently, I attend births in Auckland and the greater Auckland region, however, I do travel throughout both the North and South Islands for Birth support on request. I am a certified Birth Doula CD(DONA) and abide by the DONA International Standards of Practice & Code of Ethics https://www.dona.org/what-is-a-doula/scope-and-ethics/
I completed my training in Melbourne, 2018 through Jenn Fontaine @DONA International.
What is a Doula? https://www.dona.org/what-is-a-doula/
See DONA International website: https://www.dona.org
Click here for FAQ’s including disclaimer and further information
“The Distance between Your Dreams And Reality Is Called Action”
DOWNLOADABLE RESOURCES:
Homebirth Aotearoa
Cord Clamping: https://homebirth.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/cord-clamping.pdf
Birthing the Placenta: https://homebirth.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/birthing_placenta.pdf
Have you considered a homebirth? https://homebirth.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/have-you-considered-home-birth-Waikato-Home-Birth-Association.pdf
Interviewing a midwife: https://homebirth.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Interviewing-a-midwife-template.pdf
Writing a birth story: https://homebirth.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Writing-a-birth-story.pdf
Brains Printout: https://homebirth.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/BRAINS-pdf.pdf
Why homebirth? https://homebirth.org.nz/why-home-birth/
Disclaimer: The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this website are for informational purposes only. The purpose of this website is to promote broad consumer understanding and knowledge of various holistic health & Birth support topics. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.