The Post Partum Doula

As many women have found, it can be overwhelming to be a new parent. There are many adjustments to be made in the first few months of your baby's life outside the womb. New parents get tired, the washing doesn't get done, you feel like you have cottonwool in your head sometimes. These things are completely normal, but just a short break once a week can work miracles for your outlook on life.

A post partum doula's work is to give you that break when you need it. You will book the doula for 2-3 hours. During that time she will be available to help with what will give you a good boost. You might desperately need several unbroken hours of sleep. During that time the doula can care for your baby. Maybe you need the laundry hung up, or the vacuuming done, because you have been unable to ge to it. Your focus in the first few months is going to be mostly on your new baby, so don't be too hard on yourself, but having a doula to help can make all the difference in boosting your morale.

Breastfeedng:

Some doulas can also help with breastfeeding problems. If you are experiencing problems feeding, it's best to get some help right away. Even calling or emailing someone for advice can help greatly.

Postpartum counselling:

Doulas are able to answer many questions and help you with problems associated with having a new baby, after all we are mothers ouselves and have been through many of the things which you are experiencing. A doula can also spot signs of post partum depression. PPD is a commonailment of the new mother, yet still many women are worried about bringing it out in the open, thinking that they may be ostracised. Many times PPD can be treated without medication, but it is important to treat it as soon as possible so that you can enjoy your baby and motherhood.

Fees for a Post Partum Doula:

$30 per/h, minimum booking 2 hours(between 10am-5pm, Tuesday-Thursday)

$35 per/h, After Hours(between 5pm and 9pm, Tuesday-Thursday), minimum booking 2 hours.

All other hours are for emergency only. Please give at least 36 hours notice.

Priscilla works out of Eltham and covers the close by and surrounding suburbs. If you are unsure whether she covers your area, just contact her via email.

To make a booking contact Priscilla:

Home: 84001762

Mobile: 0425731508

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The Role of the Doula

Doulas support women and their partners during pregnancy, throughout the birth process, and during the postnatal period. The doula is not a midwife, a nurse or a medical practitioner.

Doulas DO NOT provide medical, nursing, midwifery, or any therapeutic care. The doula provides three kinds of support:

l        Informational support

l        Emotional Support

l        Physical support

As your doula I will visit you and your partner for the number of antenatal visits that we organise. The antenatal visits prepare the way for the best labour and birth for you as an individual. During these visits we will get to know each other and I will bring any information that I have that you may need or find helpful. This may include leaflets, books, and DVDs that I have collected and that are in my personal doula library. I make an effort to include a wide variety of information to give an unbiased view of issues concerning childbirth. Of course I have my own ideas about the best childbirth, but these are personal to me and do not necessarily reflect the best birth for everyone. I firmly believe that my job is to serve YOU, and that only YOU can know the best birth options for yourself. The information I bring is meant for you to deepen your personal knowledge and widen your own exploration so that you can better judge your needs. As your knowledge grows you will be able to develop your birth plan and will be able to instruct me in the type of birth you would like. I will be able to offer suggestions about comfortable positions for labour and the optimal positions for delivering your baby, as well as strategies to assist you as you labour. We will be able to practice these in your home with your partner to more fully prepare for the birth process.

When you go into labour, I will come to your home and support you as you labour, and then go to the hospital with you when its time. You must ring the hospital(or your midwife in the case of a home birth) when you think you are in labour, and advise them that you will have the support of your doula at home until it is time to go. This is because the hospital is responsible for your clinical care. On rare occasions when a woman progresses quickly, a birth may be imminent, please understand that I may have to call the hospital and ring for an ambulance. I cannot deliver a baby as I am not trained to do so. If you have a history of short labours, or your mother does, we may have to work out a strategy to cope in case this eventuates. I won't leave you but neither can I take responsibility for your clinical care.

After your baby's birth, I will stay with you until you feel that you no longer need me. I will visit you again twice in the first 2 weeks after the birth to talk about your birth experience and to help you with breastfeeding hiccups  or any other information you might need about your recovery or your newborn baby.

My overall aim is to help you to achieve the most positive birth experience possible for you, whether you choose to have a natural birth, or a medically assisted birth.

I am honoured that you have chosen me to support you during this deeply important experience.

--Priscilla Stevens

Mobile:0425 731 508

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