Welcome to Ideal Birth Doula Services supporting you through the emotional, physical, mental and relationship challenges of pregnancy, birth and parenthood. Let's start parenthood on the right foot with good support, education and information for pregnancy, birth and the exciting changes ahead. As your doula I offer the greatest continuity of care over all careproviders but work an an important part of your team. What sort of birth experience is important to you?
As Brisbane's most experienced pregnancy, birth, and postnatal doula, I share my depth of knowledge and wisdom from over 1,000 hospital births with you to focus on working towards a positive birth experience for you and your family. We are of course in control of how we care for you but can't guarantee specific outcomes. The way your birth flows will be dependant on your baby, your mindset and your reducing fear over the period of your labour.
Have you ever wondered why some women have positive births and others don't?
In 2018 it was reported up to 45% of women perceived their births to be traumatic ( CT Beck 2018). This stat is likely to be higher now with an increase in intervention rates. This is something that can be reduced with continuity of care.
Having me on your team is like having a personal trainer who will work with your specific needs guiding you to prepare mentally and physically as you go into your new normal with strength, confidence and knowledge. You will be able to excitedly look forward to your birth knowing you have prepared well. I will also value your time and short cut the process for you.
During my 30 year career as a midwife and Brisbane doula, I have identified three major challenges couples face during pregnancy and childbirth.
Firstly: More is expected of first time fathers than ever before. They are often the only support person for their partner. Even when well prepared it is a difficult emotional role for them to do alone. It is easy to assume all the emotional and physical support will be provided by the hospital care providers.
Secondly: Couples lack the knowledge and skills to cope with the unknown intensity of pregnancy, labour, birth and the early days of parenting. Not knowing what you need makes it almost impossible to know where to start and google will only leave you overwhelmed.
Thirdly: Positive hospital birth may be difficult for you to achieve alone. The mainstream maternity system was never set up to promote physiology or to facilitate an empowering experience of childbirth. Having someone with you familiar with policy and the system takes the guess work out of many situations. Your care providers will have many responsibilities and not able to just focus on your individual needs. My very existence demands that the hospital see you as an individual, with your own particular needs not just one of the many birthing on a particular day.
Together we explore and identify your individual needs, and meet them. I'm here to help and I have proven solutions that contribute to positive birth outcomes for your family. It is not until after you have birthed your baby that you realise the true value of independent childbirth support. You only have one opportunity with each and every birth to have the birth you want. Happy positive memories are priceless.
I understand everyone has unique needs when it comes to planning their baby's birth. All my care is designed with this in mind.
Give yourself the best chance of a positive birth in a hospital setting. A new book by one of Australias leading doulas, Cheryl Sheriff.
Sharing wisdom from her 30 years experience as a midwife and doula, and her presence at over 1000 hospital births.
After reading this book you will have more direction, and feel confident, excited and less daunted by the experiences to come.
