The journey
I am fascinated with the strength of women. Continuously I see how incredibly wise our bodies are. How strong our intuition is. And this is who I am as a doula. I will motivate you to go deep into that place of trust. Where you know what is good for you and your baby without projection from the outside world. For you and your partner to choose the path that resonates with you.
How would that practically look like though?
- We have 1 introduction meeting in which we find out if we are a match. :)
- During your pregnancy I will visit you in your own home-setting 3 times for +/- 3 hours (this excludes a visit to your midwife or gynecologist if you wish).
- The moment your labour starts and you wish me to be there, we have contact and we discuss when I come. I will be there during the entire birth.
- For 3 weeks before and 2 weeks after the ‘due date’ I am easy to reach, we agree together on what this looks like and where both our needs lie and whether this is compatible. (when more time is needed, that will be discussed).
- Unlimited email or phone contact during the whole pregnancy and up to 6 weeks after birth. ( within reasonable hours)
- 1 maternity visit to connect, for you to share your experiences and some bodywork when wished for. (within one week after birth).
- 2 postpartum visits that can include several things, bodywork, creative processing, help cooking, you name it.
What you wish or need may differ from the above. Ofcourse there is space to build the guidance in such a way that it suits you.
Doula journey explained
During pregnancy
We will meet four times in the run-up to the due date. There will be an introductory meeting to see, but especially to feel, if we are a match. Because the most important thing is that we feel comfortable together as a future birth-team. If this is the case, I will visit your home three times for about two and a half/ three hours to discuss various topics in a relaxed setting. This can include one of your appointments with your midwife or gynecologist. I would also like to understand who you are as a couple, how you support each other and what your wishes are. I would love to learn where your fears lie and how you, mom, react to certain situations in which you experience discomfort or pain. |
I will take you on a journey through the birth process, because how does it even work? What can you expect? And what are the options if things go a bit different than expected? What are your options in the first place? Because there are more options than you can imagine. I will follow you and your needs. In addition, we are going to practice different ways to make you feel as comfortable as possible during birth. And how to stay aligned and relaxed. Because that is exactly what you need to give birth. This can be done by teaching postures, relaxation techniques, visualizations but foremost by enhancing the trust within.
Above all, I want you to feel loved in this beautiful and all-changing phase. A massage if you feel like it or perhaps we are just quiet while I hold you. Guiding you in finding information about the topics that are important to you is also part of my job. Whether you have one question, or your mind is exploding with questions, please contact me and give all these thoughts a space to fly.
Above all, I want you to feel loved in this beautiful and all-changing phase. A massage if you feel like it or perhaps we are just quiet while I hold you. Guiding you in finding information about the topics that are important to you is also part of my job. Whether you have one question, or your mind is exploding with questions, please contact me and give all these thoughts a space to fly.
During Birth
From the moment the first signs of labour show up and you want me to be there, I can be there. And that is the most important 'thing' I do. I am present. From the moment I arrive, I am in service of your birth-journey. During this phase I create a safe space for you and your partner to go through this journey together. Within that safe space I will follow you in whatever you need to make this birth journey YOURS. I have several tips and tools in my 'invisible' backpack to motivate you to relax and focus and go within. For example by giving you massages, support you with breathing techniques, stimulating trigger points, visualization, motivating you to try different positions and so on. We will go trough all of this during the consults before birth. Me being there doesn't mean I will be in your face. I take appropriate distance when wished and shall also take care of practical matters... such as ensuring that you pee enough in between and that your partner occasionally grabs something to eat :) |
After Birth
What a journey you have gone trough together. Your baby is born and now is the time for you to meet each other. At this stage I will stay with you for about two more hours. To answer questions that may arise, to motivate you both to fill in these first hours the way that resonates with you. After these important first moments I leave you to enjoy the new member of your family together. Within a week after the birth I will visit you to see how you are doing. To listen, to answer questions and to tell you how proud I am of course. If you would like relaxing bodywork at that moment, I would be happy to enable that. A maternity visit 2.0 we could say. After six weeks we close our joint birth journey together. I will come to your place one more time, to connect and to evaluate. |