Birth Doula Support:
Homebirths
HBAC (Home birth after cesareans)
Al Nisa Maternity Home – case by case
After many years of supporting clients in all settings, I unfortunately no longer offer support in hospital setting for live/healthy births.
Bereavement Birth Support:
Homebirth support for labour and birth where there has been a miscarriage or there is a planned/anticipated stillbirth.
Hospital support for pregnancy loss, termination of pregnancy due to life limiting diagnosis & stillbirth, live infant loss, NICU & end of life grief support.
Please contact me directly for all Bereavement Doula Services.
Please note: I am no longer contracted into any medical aid.
Birth Doula Package:
Meet and Greet (obligation free consult) – R300
This is the initial interview where we will get to know each other and see if we have chemistry. At this meeting I will be able to answer all your questions and provide any information that you may require. I believe that birth is a sacred event and you should be entirely comfortable with your support team, you are under no obligation to hire me as your Doula. After the meeting, when you have made your decision, you can contact me and let me know.
Should you choose me as your Doula, my current Doula Fee (2024) is R5500. A 50 % non refundable deposit upfront secures my services which will include the following:
Two Pre-natal Home Visits (1x late 2nd trimester and 1x 3rd trimester OR 2x 3rd trimester visits)
What to Expect -Visit One
During your pregnancy I will visit you in the comfort of your own home if you so wish. We will complete the paperwork (contract signing and intake form.) We will take stock of your feelings about this pregnancy, your history and discuss at length: your vision for this birth, concerns, expectations and any options/topics that you would like to explore, this is YOUR birth. We will discuss various labour techniques that are used and your feelings around them. I can provide you with resources for education, body work, support groups etc and information, research or reading material should you require it. These visits help me paint a picture of what you need and expect of me so that I can support you to the best of my ability but most importantly these visits should enhance your confidence and knowledge so that you can make informed choices, have engaging discussions with your significant other (if applicable) and the best decisions for yourself and your baby.
What to Expect Visit Two
At least one of the visits will be during the 3rd trimester. We take stock any new feelings, anxiety or challenges that may be coming up during this time. We will focus on what to expect in the weeks leading up to birth, labour support, your partners role -especially showing your partner the various holds, squeezes and breathing techniques (remember, Doulas work with partners to enhance the birth experience. We do not replace your partner at all.) We will really look at getting ready for birth (mentally, physically and emotionally.) We will also chat more about the practicalities around life after birth- breastfeeding, what to expect with regard to your postpartum body, myths and facts, family & community support etc. I can assist with packing your bags for your back up hospital/ birthing center & assist with making checklists/schedules to ensure everything runs smoothly in the house when you are away. For home births I can help prepare & set up should you have a particular area in the house that you wish to labour and/or birth in.
*Should you wish to have additional support during your pregnancy, I offer additional visits in the comfort of your own home at a rate of R250 for booked clients and R350 for unbooked clients.
The Big Day -Labour & Birth
Babies come when they are ready but I will be on call 24/7 from your 38th week via my cell number which means I will not be hard to reach nor will I travel far from Cape Town during that period.
For clients birthing at Al Nisa or at a midwives birth suite -based on previous talks during our antenatal discussions, you would have decided whether you would like me to come to your home and support you until you are ready to leave or if you would like me to meet you directly at the birthing center/midwives room.
For homebirth clients we would have discussed when you would most likely want me to attend as well (also flexible.)
In my experience, we may plan to do things one way, but you may want to do things differently when the time comes, which is absolutely fine. I will always remain flexible should you feel the need to change plans on when you would like to have me come through to support you, in either situation.
As a standard, I state to all my clients that I will need approximately 1-2 hours to get to you from the time you request my presence. So please call me as soon as you think you may be in labour to notify me.
In the extraordinary event that I am unable to attend your labour or birth due to events beyond my control I will call my back up Doula (who you may request to meet beforehand if you wish) to be with you. We wpuld have discussed this in detail during our meet & greet or during one of our consults.
During labour I use my skills, training and experience with birth and CAM (complimentary alternative medicine) to provide support using techniques as discussed and requested by you in our ante natal discussions, such as:
Massage and touch
Water therapy
Breathing techniques
Heat/Cold therapy
Visualization and relaxation techniques
Appropriate birth space ambiance
Birth affirmations
Appropriate birth terminology and language that resonates with you
Encouragement and Reassurance of normality
Labour positions and techniques
Aromatherapy
Homeopathy
Rebozo
Acupressure
Massage cupping
Information and explanation of options to make informed choices
Work with your partner to enhance your birth experience
Do all the running around (to the kitchen, fetch items, towels, snacks and drinks etc) to limit your partners need to be away from you and enhance the time spent together with your partner and limit unnecessary external interference to maintain the birth room atmosphere.
Take photos if requested
Immediate Postpartum and Breastfeeding
After birth I will remain with you for 1-2 hours and help settle you in and ensure that you are comfortable and have everything you need. I can help initiate the first breastfeed and facilitate for The Magical Hour. I also assist partners if needed with their first Skin to Skin experience with their babies. Babies are born with the natural inclination to breastfeed, it may take some practice but once you get going you will both be pros in no time.
One Post natal home visit including Breastfeeding support
Once you are home I would like to get together with you within 3 days to see how you are doing, to admire your beautiful tiny human, to debrief about the birth and answer any questions you may have, get a review for my role as your Doula, assist you with any breastfeeding issues, healing concerns and provide CAM (complimentary alternative medicine) solutions to common problems and appropriate references when and if needed. The remainder of my fee will be due at this visit at the very latest.
Our journey will continue via phone or email for as long as you would like there after 🙂
*Payment plans are available
*Should you require additional post-natal support, especially for people who have had birth via cesarean, additional visits can be made in my capacity as a Professional Postpartum Care Provider (PPCP- see tab marked ‘Services’)or click here please do not hesitate to contact me should you wish to explore this option or gift this service to a new/soon to be parent.
P.S You do not have to have hired me as your birth Doula to have access to my services as a Professional Postpartum Care Provider
SPECIAL DISCOUNTS APPLY FOR CLIENTS HIRING ME TO SUPPORT THEM IN BOTH A DOULA & PPCP CAPACITY (when choosing packaged services only. This offer does not apply to a Once Off consult)