What is a doula and how do they help?
A doula is someone who provides physical, emotional, and informational support to a birthing person before, during, and after childbirth. Unlike a midwife or doctor, a doula does not provide medical care but focuses on supporting the birthing person and their family through the labour and delivery process. For more about what a Doula is and how they can help, read here

What is the difference between a doula and a midwife?
A midwife provides medical care during pregnancy, labour, birth and postpartum, and is trained to handle complications. A doula, on the other hand, provides non-medical support and focuses on the emotional and physical comfort and needs of the birthing person.

When should I engage with a doula?
When it feel right to engage with a doula is the right time. Engaging with a doula pre-conception to early pregnancy means you get to meet different doulas and pick the one that you resonate with, you then can form a trusting relationship and experience the continuous support throughout your journey. as well as having early information and support around your options around birth care providers and locations.

How do I choose the right doula for me?
Consider interviewing a few doulas to find one whose approach and philosophy align with your preferences. Look for someone who makes you feel comfortable and supported. Find out and compare what different services and experiences they can provide and what you may want to use. Lots of doulas specialise and provide all different types of support, hospital, home, placenta encapsulation, mothers blessings etc its about finding one that resonates with you.

Can a doula assist with a home birth or hospital birth?
Yes, doulas can provide support in both home birth and hospital settings, some doulas have certain criteria that they won’t support such as freebirth and its best to check with each doula where they comfortability lies. Doulas can also provide support in labour at home before heading to a hospital to birth. It’s best to talk to each doula and ask when they typically provide support.

How much does a doula cost? and what is i cant afford one?
The cost of hiring a doula varies depending on location, experience, and services offered. Many doulas offer payment plans or sliding scale fees. It’s important to discuss the fee structure and any additional costs during your initial consultation.

Some families also ask for support from families rather than receiving baby gifts. There are also sometime student doulas that will support at low or no cost for experience.

If financial issues is a limiting factor please to get in touch to see what i can do to support you on your journey.

Will a doula take over from my partner?
One of the most common fears about hiring a doula is that they will invade an intimate space and take over from partner.

While I can’t speak for all doulas, that is certainly not the way I work or they way most doulas work. A doula’s role is to complement and support your partner, not replace them. We work together with your partner to ensure that you receive the best possible support during labour and delivery. A lot of partners will say after birth that a doula gave them suggestions and support to be able to support their partner better than if that had been alone and unsure what to do.

What happens if my doula is unavailable when I go into labour?
This will depend of discussions you’ve had in meet and greet and what your wishes are. Most doulas have a backup plan in place and they often have other doulas they work with and can arrange for a backup to attend your birth if needed. Some people prefer not to have a back up and would rather no one if I can’t attend. This is all discussed when we meet in person.

How can I prepare for working with a doula?
Communicate openly with your doula about your birth preferences, any concerns you have, and your ideas around labour and birth. Thinking about the stories you hear around birth and how you and your family see birth, is it seen as a positive or negative experience? Do you see birth as needing medical support always or something we are born to do. There are many podcasts, books, documenties on pregnancy, birth and postpartum if you are looking for ways to educate yourself on your journey. Please get in touch for suggestions.

What are my options for pregnancy/birth support in Geelong area?

There are many options for pregnancy care in Geelong and there is also the choice of location of birth too Private hospital, public hospital or home birth.

Many options for home birth book out extremely quickly so is you are thinking of having a home birth with a private midwives or a public funded home birth through Geelong hospital then your best to get in contact with ether as soon as you know you are pregnant.

If you would like to discuss you options in more detail please get in contact and I can talk you through your options and pass on the relevant contacts.

Are you available for weekend or after hours consults?

I understand how tricky working out appointments around work hours and children can be so I’m flexible and can provide a range of different times and days to meet and we should be able to come up with a time that suits everyone.