Images by Home Grown Photography
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What is a Birth Keeper?A Birth Keeper is someone who holds space for women to find the fullness of their power, to learn to truly trust, connect and listen to their bodies and to give birth in a way that makes you feel seen, heard, safe and respected. We respect and understand birth.
A Birth keeper is not a doctor or midwife and has no clinical responsibility or role in your birth. She is a companion whom acknowledges the mental, emotional and physical needs of a woman and her family throughout her pregnancy, labour, birth and early postnatal period. The primary difference in doulas and birthkeepers is who they answer to. Most doulas are certified in organizations that require them to follow certain policies, while birthkeepers are fully independent and answer only to themselves. |
A Doula's job is to "Mother" the Mother
A birth keeper trusts in the process of birth and the impact it has on parenting:
Most of all, she truly believes it is a woman's right to birth her baby where, with whom, and how she wishes.
A doula may;
- She is am amazing listener and sounding board
- She is always respectful
- She will not impose her own thoughts and beliefs
- She trusts the woman's instincts
- She understands the power of birth
- She believes the birthing woman's partner is the most important team member (if this suits the couple).
- She recognises that (in most cases) birth need not require medical interference, unless the woman requests it.
- She understands that the fewer people interrupting the woman and the process, the quicker the birth
- She knows that dim lighting will always make a difference
- She offers continuous support to the woman and her birth team
Most of all, she truly believes it is a woman's right to birth her baby where, with whom, and how she wishes.
A doula may;
- Measure/time contractions for you if wanted
- Help set up your birth space and pool (home births)
- assist your partner to feel more confident and suggest ways they can help you feel more comfortable.
- be showered in your "waters" or catch poop
- assist you to the toilet
- read scripts/birth affirmations where required
- take charge of background music and atmosphere
- provide massage and hip squeezes to release pressure and provide a little comfort
- snap photos for you so your partner can be involved
- tidy up post home birth
- support you physically and provide words of encouragment
- assist in establishing breastfeeding
- assist you with babywearing
- share in your emotion!
- understand that this is your experience and will hold that space for you
What are the benefits of having a birth keeper?
Having a doula will increase your chances of having a natural birth; IA doula will provide you with continuous labour support for the most positive outcome possible during your birthing journey. She will act as your advocate under any given circumstance, and encourage and help you fulfil the desire you have for your birth journey.
My ultimate goal as your doula is to assist you in having a positive and safe birth in any circumstance.
Research has shown that having a doula will create a shorter labour, reduce a woman's anxiety, reduce the need for an epidural, reduce the chance of a caesarean, and reduce the chance of a forceps delivery. as well as improve mother - baby boding and provide assistance with breastfeeding.
My ultimate goal as your doula is to assist you in having a positive and safe birth in any circumstance.
Research has shown that having a doula will create a shorter labour, reduce a woman's anxiety, reduce the need for an epidural, reduce the chance of a caesarean, and reduce the chance of a forceps delivery. as well as improve mother - baby boding and provide assistance with breastfeeding.