Doula /ˈduːlə
Noun : a person employed to provide guidance and support.
Hi, I am Lu and I am stoked you found your way here…
I believe life’s big moments deserve care and support.
It was my experience of parenthood that lead me to work as a postpartum doula. It’s how I came to realise that while there is so much focus on how we plan to birth our children, so many are rocked by the huge transition that happens after: the internal storm as your body goes from peak pregnancy to after birth all while you are meeting your new baby and the new version of yourself.
After birthing my son, via a traumatic emergency C Section performed under GA, I found myself terrified by the monumental task ahead. Not only did I have to move through the transition of person to parent while learning to care for a baby, I also had to overcome the trauma I personally experienced the day he was born. Scarred with PTSD and an overwhelming feeling of doubt and fear, it became clear to me that the space I needed to explore how I was truly feeling was hard to come by. I had a lot to express, and no where safe to say it….
This is where I realised how important doula work is. Doulas are there to be an advocate, a confidant and a friend… but it’s not just postpartum times that deserve support. This is why my services as a doula are available to any person, couple or family who feel they could use a companion to show up and get in the tenches with them.
As a doula, warmth and compassion are at the centre of my practices and my main ethos is to always lead with understanding.
Once I know your needs as your doula, I’ve got your back through the thick of it.
Let me look after you.
What you can expect from me as your doula…
I come to your home for a min. 3 hour visit, which can include but is not limited to:
Birth/incident/life debrief and reflection: the floor is yours to go over, and over what has happened.
Meals and snacks, lovingly prepared by me.
Healing herbal teas and other support beverages (I can grab coffees or smoothies, your preference).
Household support: housework, laundry, bed sheet change etc.
Foot bath, back rub and other gentle body work to relax.
If postpartum, a session can also include:
Newborn chats including resources about normal infant sleeping patterns and feeding habits, trusting parental instinct, boundary setting.
Trusted care for baby while you take a break.
Open-minded/neutral feeding support and resources.
Benefits of a prenatal visit…
If it’s a postpartum doula you need, then it’s a great idea for us to connect while you’re still pregnant. It gets the ball rolling and allows us to get to know each other before baby arrives.
Consider this our first date. I will come, basket of goodies in tow and together we will start to explore what your dream postpartum looks and feels like. We will discuss anything that’s coming up for you, and I will have some questions too to ensure after baby arrives we are on the right track, and working together, to find peace and joy while you learn to embrace new parenthood.
Things we will most likely chat about during the Prenatal Visit:
The Forth Trimester and what this means for baby now they are outside of the womb.
Preparing for postpartum which includes topics like freezer stashes, meal trains, engaging your village, getting clear on what help looks like for you, expectations for my visits, other visitors and boundaries.
Nesting Periods and the importance of rest/deep nourishment during early postpartum.
Sleeping: I want to hear your plans and expectations or when, where and how your baby will sleep.
Feeding: Checking in on how we feel and expectations for feeding journey.
Birth: it’s important to note that although I don’t attend births, how you birth will impact your postpartum and knowing your birth plan will benefit our time together as I care for you.
Practical planning: what can we be doing now, during pregnancy, to aid a smoother transition to parenthood.
Please note: It is okay to connect with me without a prenatal visit. Sometimes we don’t know what we need until we are in the thick of it - I look forward to connecting with you no matter where you are on your journey!
Reach out to book me as your doula
Visit days:
Monday–Friday depending on availability.
Phone:
0478 878 939
Location:
Woolgoolga and surrounds.
I am a proud graduate of the ‘Newborn Mothers Collective’ online course and I am forever committed to expanding my knowledge about postpartum.