Homebirth Network of SA




DOULAS... What does a Doula do ? A doula offers: professional birth support to you, your partner and family; physical, emotional and informational support during pregnancy, labour and sometimes beyond; the comfort of experienced continuous one-on-one care by someone you know. This is usually done via: a specific number of visits to your home during pregnancy; accompanying you to hospital/caregiver visits; assistance in birth planning and preparation (including a birth plan); provision of information and resources; relaxation and emotional support throughout pregnancy; being on call 24/7 for approx 2 weeks before and after your due date; attendance at your labour and birth; and post natal visits to help your new family settle, helping with general baby care, feeding options or just to be those extra hands. It is important to clarify exactly what each doula offers and choose the one that best suits you and your family. Where does a Doula work ? Anywhere! A doula works in birth centres, private and public hospitals and at homebirths, always in conjunction with midwives/doctors – never as the sole care giver. Doulas work privately with you and are not employed by your midwife/doctor or by the hospital. A Doula and your partner ? A doula’s role complements and enhances your partner’s role. Studies have shown that partners felt more enthusiastic about the labour and that they felt their contribution was more meaningful and helpful. Not only did the partners report higher levels of satisfaction after the birth, but mothers reported feeling more satisfied with their partner’s role at birth too. What a Doula isn’t ... Doulas are not medically trained. They do not perform clinical tasks, such as vaginal exams or foetal heart rate monitoring, give medical diagnosis/advice or second opinions. The benefits of having a trained Doula … Studies have shown that having a doula present during labour: ... shortens the labour process (Campbell et al, 2006; Langer et al 1998); ... reduces caesarian section rates (Thomassen et al, 2003; Scott et al 1999; Kennell et al, 1991); ... has a positive effect on breastfeeding (Langer et al, 1998); ... enhances the wellbeing of mothers and babies, reduces the need for medical assistance, mothers feel better about themselves, more positive about the labour and bond more easily with their babies (Marshall H Klaus, John H Kennell and Phyllis H Klaus, The Doula Book, Cambridge, Perseus Publishing, 2002); ... increases the chance of a spontaneous vaginal birth (i.e. give birth with neither caesarean nor vacuum nor forceps), women were less likely to use pain medications, had slightly shorter labours, had no identified adverse effects and women were more satisfied (www.cochrane.org); ... improves mothers perception of her experience of labour, her ability to cope with labour, herself as a woman and of her body (Gordon, Walton, McAdam, Derman, Gallitero and Garrett 1998); ... improves mothers self-esteem, lowers anxiety and reduces depression at 6 weeks post-partum (www.bellybelly.com.au).The following women would be pleased to provide you with their services in your birthing journey... Practicing Doulas ... BRUCKARD, Paula Ph 0411 983 723, Email: paulabruckard(at)hotmail.com I support women and their partners to birth their baby wherever and however they wish. I emphasise that each person and each couple have the skills they need to feel confident and excited about the birth of their child. What I do is help them realise they have the skills and then guide them on how to use them to achieve a calm, confident and magical birth. My qualifications are as a doula, a certified yoga teacher (including pre and post natal yoga), aromatherapist, reiki master and a trainee calmbirth practitioner. I also offer lotus birth and post natal visits. BUBNER, Luci Adelaide SA, Ph 0417 877 708, Email: doulaluci(at)hotmail.com I have experience with birth in birth centres, private & public hospitals and with waterbirth. I am also currently training in prenatal yoga and studying to gain certification in christian childbirth education. CHANT, Natasha Semaphore Park SA, Ph 0433 100 242, Email: natasha(at)yourbirth.com.au FORRESTER, Kirsten Barossa Ph 0438 807 858 Email doula(at)tummytomummy.com.au www.tummytomummy.com.au HANNAY, Miriam "Full Circle Birthing Services" Ph 08 8352 5990 Mobiles 0400984382 Birth pool avaliable to hire. One inflatable and two hard sided ones are available. HAWKINS, Jayne Gawler South, 0406 430 919 HRISKIN, Helen "Belly, Birth & Beyond" Stepney, Phone: 08 8367 8548 Mobile: 0412 225 532, Email: helen(at)bellybirthandbeyond.com.au I am a mother full of love, light and laughter raising my seven beautiful children aged between 20 Months and 25 years. I enjoy volunteering in various community projects and have a strong sense of community and a great connection with my networks. I am the eternal student, studying anything from marketing to rebirthing, personal self-development and massage / bodywork. I am also a trained fitness leader and have participated and run successful Kickfitness classes for all women whether pre-natal, pregnant or post-natal since the birth of my 4th child in 1998. As a consumer, I have spent a lot of time with women from the Women’s & Children’s Hospital in South Australia sharing the physiotherapy, hydrotherapy and yoga classes and being invited to births and making life long friends. This is where I became very passionate for my strong advocacy for all women and encouraged by my midwives during my pregnancy in 1997, I began volunteering and training as a doula. I believe all women should have access to a supportive birth attendant and I feel I have a lot to offer and share with women having had all kinds of birth scenarios myself at home and in hospital and attending births with other women in their homes or in hospital, all very different and amazing experiences. I continue to support the Women’s and Children’s Hospital services for women, and along with my family, I appear in and help organise promotional material for educational purposes for mothers, partners, babies, siblings and families. I often assist in childbirth education classes for new parents and I am currently the public relations officer / spokesperson for Homebirth Network SA, a member of Birth Matters SA and committee member for Future Families, a growing conscious parenting group in SA. "My passion is to fully support women, their partners and family while bringing their new babies into this world, whether you birth in a public or private hospital or at home. I support you to enhance your experiences and nurture your unique journey throughout pregnancy, birth and into parenthood with peace, love, beauty, grace and wisdom" Qualified in: Massage / Bodywork: Aromatherapy & Relaxation, Trigger Point & Deep Tissue, Therapeutic & Remedial, Reflexology and Pregnancy Pre & Post Natal & Infant Massage - Acupressure for labour. Certified Fitness Leader: Kickfitness, building core stability using stretch, Pilates and breathing techniques. Specialises in: Fitness for Birth, Pregnancy & Post Natal. Birth and Post Natal support, breastfeeding difficulties and sibling rivalry. IRELAND, Jane Adelaide, 0402 473 712, Email: nurturingbirths(at)iprimus.com.au Nurturing Births Doula Services www.nurturingbirths.com.au SERAFIN, Melissa Loxton, 0438 413 869 STILLWELL, Marcia "Peace of Mind Doula Services" Ph 08 8339 6760, Mob 0415 746 920, Email: marciastillwell(at)hotmail.com I am 54 and have four grown up children. I have called my Doula business "Peace of Mind Doula Services" because at the end of the day that is what I believe to be important, whatever the outcome. I hope to incorporate my training as a Yoga teacher to encourage good physical, emotional and spiritual health. I aim to provide information and unbiased support, and a good listening ear. WATKINS, Jennifer "10 Moons Rising" Aldgate SA, Ph 08 8339 7543 Birth preparation and belly casts. Trainee doulas ... CLARK, Kellie Adelaide, 0407 112 799 FRY, Julia Adelaide, 0407 724 628 KINGSFORD-SMITH, Emma Adelaide, 0404 388 284 LAMBE, Angela Morphett Vale, 0434 571 517 SIMPSON, Bronni Mitcham, 0402 423 103 Doulas not currently taking on clients ... BAINBRIDGE, Jo "Blooming Good Birth" Nairne SA, Ph 08 8388 6918 CLEMENTS-PORTEOUS, Emily "Helping Hands Doula Service" Victor Harbor SA, Ph 08 8552 8271, Mob 0419 867 997, Email: helpinghands(at)internode.on.net I am a mother of four who has become very passionate about pregnancy, birth and babies. My business is called Helping Hands Doula Serivce, as I feel that this is a doulas main task; to help the mother. I believe that the presence of a doula will positively enhance the birth experience, providing a strong support person and creating an environment which is secure and nurturing. I aim to provide you with a variety of information including relaxation, positioning, physical and emotional support. Allowing you to have the most empowered, confident birth that you can. I would be honoured to support you through pregnancy, birth and beyond. LEWIS, Lisa "Birth and Beyond" Mt Barker SA, Ph 08 8391 5293, Email: birthandbeyond(at)internode.on.net I completed training with Childbirth International in 2006 and also with Doula Birthing Services (London, UK) in 2004. I am an active member of the Homebirth Network SA, and will support clients at home, birth centre or in hospital however they chose to birth. I also offer post natal visits. I am based in Mt. Barker and limit travel to 40 minutes from my home, asI believe I can offer a better service to the client if I am not so far away. ZANOS, Jane Aldinga Beach SA, Ph 08 8557 8000 Pregnancy & birth counsellor.