Doula Services
My labour and birth support package includes:
Initial consultation and interview
There is no charge for this first meeting. It is a time for you and your partner
to ask questions, gather information and decide if my services are right for you.
This visit can take place at anytime during your pregnancy.
Pre-natal visit in your home
During these visits we will discuss your wishes, thoughts, concerns, feelings
and expectations regarding labour and birth (mom and dad). We will clarify my role and your
expectations of me. We will discuss various comfort measures, positions and coping
techniques for labour including visualisations and breathing exercises.
If you are planning a waterbirth at home, I offer a birth-pool trial run.
I will help your partner to setup your birth pool and help you to check that
you have everything that you will need for your home birth.
Visit with your midwife or doctor
If I have never worked with your midwife or doctor, or if you want me to,
I can attend one of your ante-natal appointments. This allows us to establish a
rapport and discuss my role at your birth.
Telephone consultations
I am available for telephonic consultations and support before and after your baby is born for as long as you.
Book and DVD Loans
I have a collection of books and DVD's on pregnancy, birth and parenting that you
will be able to loan from me.
On-call 24/7
I will be on call for you 24 hours a day 7 days a week from 2 weeks before your due date until
your baby is born.
Continuous support during labour and birth
Throughout your labour, you and your partner may experience a full circle of emotions,
including excitement and uncertainty. My role as a doula is to help you cope with
all the fears and anxieties you and your partner may have. My assistance and support
of couples and families during their birthing experiences is immeasurable and along
with my own personal birthing experiences, allows me to help you remain calm, relaxed
and as comfortable as possible. My aim is to support your partner to support you and
to ensure that your birth plan is adhered to as much as possible. I know when to stay
in the background to allow privacy when you are doing well. I will also be an extra
practical pair of hands. I will accompany you throughout your labour and the birth of
your baby. I will assist you with your first breastfeed and stay with you till you
are all settled.
Photographs
I can take photographs of your labour, birth, newborn baby and your new family
so that your partner can be free to experience this birth fully and not from behind a lens.
Post-natal visits in your home
I will visit you in the comfort of your home after your baby is born.
I will offer support in adjusting to your new role as parents or your new role of parents of more than one child.
We will also review your birthing experience and my role as your doula. At this time I can assist with
breast-feeding and with any other questions you may have. I will offer you
ongoing support as needed and help you find additional resources in your community
if you need them.
Child Birth Classes
Preparation for labour, birth and parenting is very important. This is unknown territory as you enter birth and parenthood for the first time. Of all the ways to prepare parents for labour and birth I have found that the Birthing From Within as developed by Pam England is the most holistic. It combines information and experiential learning perfectly and gives couples tools, awareness and confidence to birth consciously and parent with openness. I believe that birthing your baby will be remembered forever and parenting is a journey that last a lifetime.
I am a Birthing From Within Mentor and I hold Birthing From Within Child Birth Classes which help moms and dads to discover and improve their strengths and tools they have within them to birth their babies consciously and parent in awareness. Click here to read the Birthing From Within Philosophical Assumptions and Guiding Principles.
My classes include the following:
Group and private classes are usually held over 6 weeks for 2 hours a class.
Weekend Intensive courses are held on 2 consecutive Saturdays for 7 hours each Saturday (1 hour lunch break in between)
Components of the Birthing From Within classes are sometimes done with my doula clients during our visits.
To Find out more about Birthing From Within go to http://www.birthingfromwithin.com
Belly Cast
Belly Cast (Additional Fee)
I can do a belly cast for you in your home. I supply all the materials needed. This will give you an empression of your breasts and belly to
decorate or paint that will keep long after your baby is born and your bump is gone.
Birthing Equipment Hire
Birth Pools
& TENS Machines & Birth Stools
I am an agent for Birthworks in Midrand. Their
address is http://birthworks.co.za. Through Birthworks I hire out Birth Pools & TENS Machine & Birth Stools. This equipment can be very beneficial in birth
and can be claimed for on your medical aid. To find out more click
here. To hire equipment click here For more information
email me on sally@birthworks.co.za
Mothers Group
"Self-care is not about self-indulgence, it is about self-preservation" Audre Lorde
I host a mothers group in Midrand. We meet once a month on the second Thursday mornings of every month. I offer a sacred space where mothers and their babies and toddlers can get together and explore what it means to be a mother in todays world. Discussion is honest and open and I aim to create a space where meaningful relationships can develop between mothers in a space of safety. I offer information, practical advice and support regarding many issues relevant to mothers and I facilitate discussions among mothers. We discuss issues like sleep, feeding your baby, attachment parenting, introduction to homeopathy, appropriate toys, cloth nappies and slings. I can also offer breastfeeding support.
Please contact me for more information on sally@birthsupport.co.za
