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About Me
Hi! I am Hannah, and I am a birth doula. My passion for birth started with the birth of my daughter. I had such an incredible experience, that I was so excited to go through it again (some say I am crazy!). So when I got pregnant 10 months later I was empowered to begin planning a homebirth. I read everything I could read, and got as prepared as I could be. Then, at 36 weeks, I had an unexplained partial placental abruption. I was rushed to hospital and my son was born via emergency cesarean. After this I struggled with the grief of missing out on my homebirth, as well as the trauma of what I had been through.
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When my son turned one, my biggest passion (besides my kids) was still all things birth, and so I decided to become a doula. I absolutely love that I can help prevent birth trauma and help to give women an empowering birth experience.
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Before becoming a doula, I was a Biology teacher, so I spend a lot of time reading the latest research, and everything I suggest comes from an evidence based perspective.
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I truly believe wherever you feel safest, is where you will have the best birth experience. Because of this, I will support you wherever you want to birth- home, birthing center or hospital.
What is a doula?
A doula is someone who cares for your physical and emotional needs during pregnancy, birth and postpartum.
They help you in whatever way you need, they will be a fierce advocate for what you want, and they provide education and hands-on support throughout your pregnancy.
During your labour they will be there from the start (a midwife will only stay from active labour), they can stay with you through every contraction- you are their entire focus.
Some woman may think a doula isn't needed if they have a supportive partner, but doula's and birth partners make an incredible team. It can be overwhelming watching someone you love go through labour, and a doula will help direct the birth partner with practical ways they can help. It also means the labouring person is never left alone, as the birth partner and the doula can tag in and out (to get food/ rest/ go to the toilet etc.).
Having a doula reduces your chance of cesarean section by 52.9%, reduces your chance of postpartum depression and anxiety by 57.5%, lowers the length of labours, and there is a lower incidence rate of pain medication (if that is your goal). It does not guarantee you a perfect birth, but it does increase the chances that you will have a positive birth experience.
Doulas take on a much lower caseload than a midwife, which means they are far more likely to be able to make it to your birth. Doulas and midwives also make an incredible team- every midwife I have worked with has raved about having a doula there too. It means they can have more time to focus on the medical side, as the doula is there for the labouring person.
Hiring a doula means you can be sure you have done everything possible to have the birth you want!
Services
I can help you create your birth plan, and give you all the tips and tricks to help you achieve your birth goals
Three antenatal meetings to create your birth plan, on call from 37 weeks, and in person support throughout your whole labour, from whenever you want me there until the baby is born.
Postpartum Doula
Support postpartum, in whichever way you need- cleaning, cooking, looking after baby so you can sleep, or just making you a cup of tea and having a chat!