My Philosophy
I
believe all women have the innate wisdom and strength to birth their
babies beautifully, in exactly the right way for them, if they are
given the space and support to do so.
I am passionate about helping women and their families embrace birth and parenting with confidence, wonder and joy for the miracle that it is! My aim is for women to trust that pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding are normal and natural parts of life, and to help ensure that their experience is about them rather than their medical care-provider.
Above all, I recognise the significance of birth as a physical, emotional and spiritual journey, and the importance of a positive and satisfying experience. A good birth experience, and the empowerment and validation it can provide, has flow-on benefits for mothers and fathers, enabling them to feel strong and capable and bonding them closely with their babies. I also believe that all babies deserve a respectful and gentle start to life and that it is vital to their emotional well-being.
I provide a holistic Doula practice, supporting a woman's emotional, physical and spiritual needs during pregnancy, labour and post-birth. I have a keen interest in complementary therapies and enjoy working collaboratively with practitioners of naturopathy, massage, osteopathy, chiropractic, homeopathy, traditional chinese medicine, hypnotherapy, yoga and others to support women towards the best birth possible.
My Background
I
am an experienced Certified Doula (Optimum Birth) and have supported a
wide variety of
births at
home and hospital, including natural birth, waterbirth, lotus
birth, twins, vaginal breech birth, VBAC and VBA2C (vaginal birth
after caesarean), caesarean birth, women and/or partners
with disabilities, miscarriage,
critically ill babies, high risk pregnancies, IVF and surrogate
pregnancies, and women who have abuse or trauma in their past.
My clients range from first-time parents, to parents expecting their third or fourth (or more!) baby. Some parents are very young, others are having their first baby at 40. Some women are single, others are supported by a partner, family or friends at the birth. Whatever 'package' my clients come in, I help them to have the positive and empowering birth experience they deserve.
I am mum to three delightful young children (Zoe 8, Piper 5 and Ash 3), a Community Educator (Breastfeeding) with the Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA), and a trained photographer. I also enjoy giving talks in my local community about birth choices and the role of doulas.
I am currently working towards a Diploma of Childbirth Education (Childbirth International), which I anticipate completing in 2008, with a view to offering unique and creative birth preparation classes for small groups.
In recent times I have done photographic work for the Australian College of Midwives (ACMI) and the University of Canberra, with my images of women and babies appearing on the ACMI national website, in Australian Midwifery News magazine, and in booklets and advertising material for consumers and midwives.
Aside from birth, breastfeeding and babies, my other passions include naturopathy, nutrition, herbal medicine, complementary therapies, organics, attachment/connection parenting, photography, respecting and enjoying this amazing planet of ours, and always learning!
The best part of my job is getting to know people so closely at such a special time, and being there as they welcome a beautiful soul into the world. I love seeing the transformation of woman to mother, couple to family, and child to sibling.
Professional Affiliations
The Australian Breastfeeding Assocation www.breastfeeding.asn.auThe Maternity Coalition www.maternitycoalition.org.au
The National Association for Childbirth Educators www.nace.org.au
Childbirth International www.childbirthinternational.com
Le Leche League International www.llli.org
Midwifery Today www.midwiferytoday.com
Continuing Education
30 May 2008, Sydney
Birth, Breastfeeding and Beyond - speakers include Michel Odent and James McKenna
14-16 March 2008, Sydney
Preparation for Birth and Parenthood, Birth International conference
3-4 November 2007, Sydney
Homebirth Australia Conference - keynote speakers Sheila Kitzinger, Dr
Gowri Motha and
Ricki Lake
25-28 September 2007, Canberra
Australian
College of Midwives National Conference: "Big, Bold and Beautiful" -
keynote speakers Soo Downe, Hannah Dahlen and Vicki Chan
24 August 2007, Canberra
ACT Lactation Consultants Twilight Seminar: Sleep and the Breastfed
Baby - presented by Pinky McKay
20 & 27 May 2007, Canberra
Introduction to Massage - Om Shanti College
21 June 2007, Canberra
Breastfeeding Update Seminar - presented by Carol Bartle
8-9 April 2006, Cooma
Australian Breastfeeding Association, ACT/Southern NSW Branch Conference
5-7 March 2004, Canberra
Australian Breastfeeding Association, ACT/Southern NSW Branch Conference
11-12 July 2003, Sydney
Evidence Based Care for Normal Labour and Birth for Midwives -
presented by Penny Simkin, PT