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Pregnancy & Birth

My doula pregnancy and birth support is for all pregnant and birthing people, as well as those preparing to welcome a baby into their family through adoption or fostering

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Photo credit: Amy Manners

Let’s face it: this is a magical but challenging phase of life. You are facing so many unknowns, you've got lots of questions, and you're hearing different opinions. Not to mention dealing with hormonal changes, exhaustion, and swollen feet! Would you like a knowledgeable and empathetic companion to walk the journey with you and boost your confidence?  

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As your doula, I offer holistic support for you and your family before, during, and after birth, focussing on your wellbeing.  I will take the time to listen to your wishes, hopes, fears, and concerns, as we come up with a personalised plan for your birth and postpartum time. I can hold your hand through labour and birth, providing reassurance and physical comfort. Once your baby has joined you, I can offer an extra pair of hands at home as you rest and settle in, as well as plenty of time and space to talk.

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Whether you want extra one-on-one birth and postpartum preparation, support and confidence to advocate for yourself, German-English translation, or just want to bring a good atmosphere to your birth, with my doula support you can have a more positive and empowered experience.

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I can support you at a hospital, birth centre, or at a midwife-led home birth, and provide valuable support at a vaginal birth (medicated or not), or at a Cesarean birth (planned or unplanned).

 

I also offer sensitive support in difficult situations such as a premature birth, stillbirth, miscarriage, or abortion for any reason.

Amy provides a very calm and reassuring presence and she is a very good listener. Her kind and gentle manner is really good particularly when things get overwhelming during the last days of pregnancy and right to the post partum time with the new baby.

Emma

In our sessions before the birth, here is what I can offer you, as needed:

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  • Help you understand the physiological and emotional journey of labour and birth, as well as your options and rights

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  • Discover your own birth preferences and make a plan

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  • Support your partner to feel confident in their role

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  • Work through any fears or worries, and reflect on any previous birth experience. Trauma-sensitive care and guidance

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  • Practice relaxation techniques, breathing exercises, labour positions, comfort measures and massage

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  • Postpartum planning – infant feeding, your recovery, household, baby care, relationship, managing expectations

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  • Create vision board or other creative inspiration

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  • Integrate your own cultural or spiritual traditions

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  • Recommendations and help to find further support and resources

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Photo credit: Amy Manners

Photo credit: Amy Manners

Around and during the birth, here is what I can offer you:

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For a vaginal birth:

  • Exclusive 24/7 on-call service around the due date

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  • Attentive, reassuring, and continuous support during labour & birth, at your home and/or birth location, until you feel settled afterwards

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  • Relaxation techniques, affirmations and encouragement, help to create a peaceful, intimate, safe atmosphere 

 

  • Physical support to change positions and move around, physical comfort measures e.g. massage, use of the bath or shower, offering food and drinks, supporting you with cushions  

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  • Keeping one eye on your partner’s needs and taking turns if one of us needs a break so you are never alone

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  • Facilitate communication between you and medical staff, make sure your wishes are understood and you are informed and feel comfortable with what is happening

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  • Encouraging opportunities for you to bond with and feed your baby

 

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For a C-Section (planned or unplanned):

  • Reassurance and affirmation

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  • Helping you understand the procedures and options available

 

  • Facilitating communication 

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  • Assistance with holding your baby skin to skin as soon as possible 

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  • Practical support afterwards to help you hold and feed your baby, as well as make sure you are warm, comfortable, and have food and drink.

In my home visits after the birth, here is what I can offer you:

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  • Plenty of time and space for you to ask questions and process your emotions and your birth experience

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  • Tips, tricks, and support with infant feeding and daily care

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  • Practical help around the house and with your baby so you can rest and have some time for yourself

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  • Relaxation techniques and massage

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  • Support with post-partum exercises

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  • Baby bonding bath (from Brigitte Meissner) to encourage bonding between you and your baby

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        For more info

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Photo credit: Amy Manners

Before we go any further, let’s clarify the difference between a doula and a midwife. A midwife is a thoroughly trained and experienced medical professional who will take care of your and your baby’s health throughout labour and birth. She can support you with all kinds of advice and options to help you have the birth you want, and she will know if a doctor is needed in case of complications. In a hospital, a midwife will probably be taking care of more than one birthing person at once and have to split her time between them. A doula is not a replacement for a midwife or doctor, but an additional member of your birth team. As your birth doula, my role is to support your wellbeing and offer my continuous, helpful, and reassuring presence. I do not have responsibility for your medical care and will not make decisions for you or give medical advice.

Packages

Birth Standard

  • Free trial meeting

 

  • 1 home visit during pregnancy (2 hours)

 

  • 24/7 on-call duty around the due date (14 days before and 14 days after)

 

  • Continuous birth support

 

  • 1 home visit post-partum (2 hours)

 

  • Available for you throughout via phone 

 

  • Any combination of my informational, physical and emotional support, as needed

 

​(For a planned C-Section we won't need the on-call duty, so the package will cost less)

Birth Premium

  • Free trial meeting

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  • 3 home visits during pregnancy (2 hours each)

 

  • 24/7 on-call duty around the due date (14 days before and 14 days after)

 

  • Continuous birth support

 

  • 2 home visits post-partum (2 hours each)

 

  • Available for you throughout via phone 

 

  • Resource of your choice included

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  • Any combination of my informational, physical and emotional support, as needed

 

​(For a planned C-Section we won't need the on-call duty, so the package will cost less. We can customise the number of visits to suit you)

Additional travel costs of €0.30/km will be charged outside of Hanau (as well as any parking costs)

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Special offer: If you book any combination of birth and postpartum packages, you will receive one of the visits for free

 

We can customise the packages to better match your individual needs. I can also offer one-off or short term visits, and where appropriate, online support

 

Payment plans and creative solutions are possible - please let me know if price is an issue. Doulas in Deutschland e.V. can provide a free birth Doula to those who are unable to pay - application here

 

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