A midwife is a health professional who offers medical care during pregnancy and childbirth. Midwives work in hospitals and private homes. A doula, on the other hand, is not a trained medical practitioner. Doulas provide emotional, physical, educational, and practical support through pregnancy, birth and postpartum. Doulas can also help you choose the right caregiver and foster a positive relationship between you and them.

You can hire me at any point during your pregnancy. It is completely up to you on when you feel ready for some extra support. If you need a few prenatal visits, I would recommend booking me no later than 34 weeks so you don't feel rushed, although we can manage to squeeze the sessions in during the last weeks of your pregnancy.

A doula doesn't replace your partner. Studies have shown that the presence of both the partner and the doula at a woman's birth reduces the chances of the woman asking for pain relief, having a c-section or an episiotomy. I think doulas have the power to enhance partners' roles during labour and birth, so they can be more relaxed and feel less pressure. When doulas and partners work together, it creates a very powerful support system for the woman in labour. I highly encourage partners to attend all prenatal visits so I can show them how best they can support you, especially during labour and birth. I will also hold space for your partner's own thoughts and feelings, remind them to hydrate and nourish during labour, encourage and validate them.

I welcome and I am excited to work with families of all shapes and sizes and trained to support a variety of births: unmedicated and medicated births, VBACs, preemies, cesareans, home births, and twins. I do not support free births.

During the prenatal visits, we will get to know each other, discuss your fears, expectations, birth preferences, and how you would like your support people to work together and with you during the birth. I will hold space for you to share your feelings and provide you with the best emotional support. We will practice different comfort measures or labouring positions, and I will provide you with evidence-based information on the different options that are available to you. I will also help you prepare for immediate postpartum and provide resources ahead of time so you can feel secure and well prepared.

I am committed to being on call for you 2 weeks on either side of your due date (from 38 weeks). I will be contactable by phone/text during this time. I normally commit to arriving at your birthplace within 90 minutes of you notifying me. I will meet you at the hospital or at your home, and normally stay with you for an hour or two after the birth, unless you are ready for private time and are comfortable with me to leaving earlier.

The postnatal visits will aim to debrief the birth and provide emotional and practical support. It can include: light housework, infant care while you are looking after yourself or resting, practical support on breastfeeding, sleep, treats and food, etc. I will physically look after you so you can best look after your baby.

During the birth, I am in constant and close proximity to the birthing mother. I provide comfort, suggest natural pain-relief techniques (e.g. breathing, visualisation, massage, aromatherapy and labouring positions). I hold space for your and your partner, help you feel safe, advocate for you, protect your birth preferences, provide reassurance, help with facilitating communication between you and the hospital staff, and make sure you make informed decisions.

C-section births require an equal amount of preparation and support. I will guide you through what to expect during the procedure, help you decide on a birth plan, help you find a provider that offers "family-centred" c-sections. Under certain circumstances, I may be able to accompany you in the operating theater. I will also be there to facilitate bonding and breastfeeding after the birth.

Doula services are not covered by Medicare or by private health insurance. If finances are a barrier for you, you can add a doula fund on your baby registry.