Birth Preparation & Birth Support
Birth Preparation Appointments are dedicated educational and planning sessions designed to help you feel informed, confident, and practically prepared for pregnancy, labour, birth, and early postpartum. These sessions cover evidence-informed education on nutrition and wellbeing, pregnancy and labour stages, optimal baby positioning, comfort techniques, birth preference clarification, logistical planning, and postpartum preparation.
They are structured preparation sessions and do not include on-call labour support or attendance at birth unless booked as part of the Birth Support Service.
The Birth Preparation & Birth Support Service includes all elements of the Birth Preparation Appointments, in addition to continuous on-call availability from 36 weeks, in-person attendance at your hospital or home birth, and ongoing non-medical physical, informational, and emotional support throughout your labour and birth. A postpartum home visit is also included to debrief your experience and support your transition into early motherhood.
As a Certified Non-Medical Birth Doula with allied and integrative health training, I provide evidence-informed education, grounded preparation, and steady, experienced support. I work alongside your chosen medical care providers as part of your broader care team.
While I do not provide medical care, clinical assessments, or medical advice, my role is to help you understand your options, prepare for informed decision-making, feel supported throughout labour, and navigate your journey with clarity and confidence.
More information on what this service entails is found below.
Prenatal sessions are structured, evidence-informed appointments designed to help you feel informed, confident, and well-prepared for labour and early postpartum. This service also includes continuous non-medical support during your labour and birth.
What We Cover
Sessions are tailored to your needs and may include:
Understanding Pregnancy & Labour
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The physiological stages of pregnancy and labour
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What typically happens at each stage
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Common medical procedures and interventions
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Frameworks for informed decision-making
Clarifying Your Birth Preferences
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Structured reflection exercises
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Values-based decision tools
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Birth preference planning
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Scenario planning and communication preparation for discussions with your care team
Nutrition & Wellbeing
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Evidence-informed education on pregnancy nutrition
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Evidence-informed education on postnatal nutrition
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Key nutrient considerations such as iron, protein, choline and omega-3s (educational guidance only)
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Practical strategies to support stable energy, adequate nourishment, and overall wellbeing
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General preparation for labour nutrition and hydration
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General preparation for postnatal nutrition and hydration
Labour Preparation Tools
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Positioning and movement education
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Breathing and coping strategies
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Partner preparation and teamwork guidance
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Comfort measures such as massage and counter-pressure techniques
Systems & Practical Planning
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Logistics and preparation for your chosen birth setting
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Understanding roles within your support team
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Ensuring key practical considerations are covered in advance
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Preparation for 24/7 on-call support from 36 weeks until the birth of your baby
Labour & Birth Support
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Continuous non-medical physical, informational, and emotional support throughout your labour and birth
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Attendance at your chosen birth setting (hospital or home) alongside you for the birth of your baby
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Reassurance and encouragement
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Support with position changes and movement
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Assistance in and out of the shower or bath
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Physical comfort measures such as counter-pressure and massage
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Guidance with breathing and coping strategies
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Supporting your partner to feel confident and involved
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Helping you understand information shared by your care providers so you can ask questions and make informed choices
Postnatal Session
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Debrief of the Birth
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If time allows light household tasks (available only for visits of 3hrs in length unless an extra 1.5hr single session has been added to a package/booked for this purpose)
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Reassurance and encouragement
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Information and Education on Postnatal Health and Infant Care/Development (available only for visits of 3hrs in length unless an extra 1.5hr single session has been added to a package/booked for this purpose)
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Ensuring a stock of padsicles are at the ready in your freezer to assist you with any normal pain, swelling or discomfort postpartum
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Re-heating of heatpacks if necessary
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Caring for older siblings or baby if desired so that you can rest (available only for visits of 3hrs in length unless an extra 1.5hr single session has been added to a package/booked for this purpose)
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Supporting your partner to feel confident and involved
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Supporting and encouraging bonding of your family unit and new dynamics
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Referal to other professionals if required
The goal is not to create a rigid plan, but to help you feel steady, informed, and adaptable — prepared for birth with clarity and confidence, and supported throughout the experience.
