Doulas in Wollongong and surrounds

In Wollongong and surrounds there are many services working to support women physically, mentally and spiritually, through their prepartum or pregnancy, birth, and postpartum journey. This blog will cover doulas and birth companions in the Illawarra and Shoalhaven. Whether you are having your baby in a hospital or having a homebirth, the benefits of a doula are well known. You will find out what doulas do, how they may benefit you, and a directory of local doulas including lactation consultants available in the Wollongong area right now and their contact information

What is a doula?

Elyse is supported by the original doula, her mum.

Doulas were traditionally in the realm of the birthing woman’s aunts, cousins, grandmothers and sisters. The passing down of parenting and birthing knowledge was always carried out in this way, and still is in many cultures around the world. Many women come to the work of birth-keeping and being a doula from a deep desire to continue this tradition of sharing and connection amongst women, and a strong passion for being of service to women throughout birth and postpartum. Many doulas are well informed about the hospital system and strive to incorporate mother-led care into the work of birth and postpartum as this is not often the case in the hospital system. In this way, their work is important in preventative trauma and protecting women’s birth and postpartum space. 

Formal definitions include - 

‘a person, usually a woman, whose role is to give support, help and advice to a woman who is having a baby’ Oxford Dictionary

‘continuous labour support’ which is well documented to have many benefits Evidence Based Birth

Some birth support people prefer to call themselves birthkeepers or birth companions. A birthkeeper holds space for women in the rites of passage that is birth and postpartum. Through the honouring of these passages women can reclaim the power of their feminine, learn to trust their body, and be in their power to make choices that are right for them. Birth keepers can support and guide this process.

Opting to have a doula or birthkeeper support you in your birth or postnatally is like getting a /personal cheerleader/fierce advocate and a big warm hug all in one! They are generally non-medically trained and have the primary role of supporting you and your family work toward your birth and postpartum goals. 

There is no specific job description of a doula or birthkeeper. They have their own unique offerings, which means birthing people of Wollongong can find a good fit for you and your family, depending on the support you are requiring. 

Common questions about doulas

Is a doula only for women when they’re giving birth? 

No! In fact, doulas specialise in working with people in significant times in their lives. This extends to bereavement doulas, geriatric doulas, and life doulas. Our focus is on on birth and postpartum doulas. 

Arahni, supporting Sharon at home as her friend and community birth supporter Photo: Bearhunterphotography

Doulas can be ‘full spectrum’ which means their packages include pregnancy, birth support, and postpartum care. If you’re not seeking birth support but would like support after you birth your baby, there are ‘postpartum’ doulas that focus specifically on this time. Doulas provide continuity of care for women who perhaps can’t access this with a registered midwife. In Wollongong only 10% of women can access the publicly funded Midwifery Group Practice and privately practicing homebirth midwives are currently in high demand with many are booked out. Doulas are often the continuity of care available in a fragmented hospital system. They play an important part and BBI believes everyone deserves a doula reagrdless of cultural heritage , social economic status or gender identity.

What are the benefits of working with a doula? 

Doula Trish from Birth Alchemy supports a mam birthing at home Photo: @rachaeltagg

Doulas have no agenda and no motive except to sit with you through the spectrum of emotions, and ensure you feel heard, informed, and in control. It is difficult to quantify the benefits, but being seen and held in the vulnerable moments of birth and postpartum is invaluable. Doulas provide that extra level of support in-between the medical system and your immediate family. They are excellent advocators, supporters, and empower both you and your partner in birth and postpartum. 

“Doulas do not speak on behalf or in place of a birthing mother, rather a doula supports their right to make decisions about their body and baby.”

The benefits range hugely depending on the doulas specific offerings. Postpartum doulas can provide (but not limited to) emotional and physical support, massages and belly bindings, cooking and food support, practical tips for baby and mother, breastfeeding support, and birth debriefing. For First Nations peoples, people of colour, Blak and brown women, having a doula who is of the same cultural and linguistic heritage , is able to provide a unique and more nuanced support that is culturally safe and appropriate.

Studies have shown a variety of benefits shown through randomised control trials and literature reviews such as: 

1. Having a doula for your birth has been shown to reduce the risk of non-indicated caesareans (Kozhimannil et al, 2014) 

2. Decrease the use of analgesics during labour due to supportive non-pharmacological interventions (Vonderheid et al, 2011). 

3. Reduce the odds of medical interventions during your labour for low-risk women (Fortier and Godwin, 2015). 

4. Improving breastfeeding rates through providing important information, and emotional and physical support (Acquaye and Spatz 2020)
   
   

“I have a supportive partner, why do I need a doula?” 

Alyssa from Cherish Birth supporting a mama in hospital

Great question! A doula benefits the whole family. Humans were never designed to do the work of labour and parenting alone, there was always a village surrounding the parents to ensure they were well looked after. These days (especially in the time of Covid-19), families are more isolated. This can leave parents feeling burnt out and depleted. Doulas are excellent village-builders and are one extra pair of hands to help you and your partner navigate this journey. 

A birth doula will hold space or support both you and your partner before, during and after your birth experience. It can be reassuring to have somebody on your team that understands your birthing goals, and can advocate for you when you and your partner are deep in the vulnerable work of labour. 

Post partum doulas often will meet you before the birth to get an idea of what you want your partpartum to look like. This can look like goal setting, creating a birth plan together, educating you and your partner, creating expectations for postpartum life, and discussing fears, hopes and dreams. 

Ideally in your postpartum period you are resting with your baby whilst being kept warm and well nourished. Of course your partner can cook, clean, wash, grocery shop, tidy and support you emotionally – but remember we aren’t designed to take on the whole load ourselves. Through postpartum doulas taking care of some of these tasks, or supporting the family to allocate these tasks to others, both parents can focus on resting and getting to know their new baby. 

Local Doula Directory

Mother Instinct: Tahlia

Offering virtual and physical pregnancy-postpartum support. From being that sister that you have always needed, connecting you to village and holding you within your power to walk through motherhood the way you have always dreamed. From nourishing mumma, rubbing your feet to cleaning your house and nannying your kiddies, Tahlia’s services offer everything motherhood for your family, pregnancy, birth and beyond. Contact via Instagram.

Instagram: @motherinstinct_ 

Peaceful Birth Partnership

The Peaceful Birth Partnership is a small group of women offering pregnancy and birth support as well as birth education to women, free of cost or by donation for those who can afford it. Their approach to supporting families is trauma-informed and sensitive to the cultural and faith backgrounds of the women they serve.

Email peacefulbirthpartnership@gmail.com or message Becca 0416799019 for more information. 

Cherish Birth, Alyssa

Alyssa is passionate about mums and their partners being educated, informed, supported and loved throughout the journey of pregnancy, labour, birth & parenting. A full spectrum doula offering support prenatally, in the birth space and in postpartum. 

Instagram: @cherish_birth

Birth Alchemy

Trish is a Shamanic Birthkeeper. Offerings include Wild Pregnancy and Birth support, homebirth and freebirth. She upholds your personal sovereignty and centres you as full authority of your birth experience. Mother and Maiden circles and Family bonding rituals. 

Instagram: @trish_birthalchemy

Venus Rising Doula services

Kate is a full-service doula who also offers placenta encapsulation. Kate has a passion for helping birthing women and their partners navigate and interpret the hospital system and inform them of their choices and rights. 

Instagram: @venusrisingdoula

Cocoon by Naomi

Naomi is a postpartum doula who offers continuity of care from pregnancy onwards, with planning sessions, meal train organisation and weekly visits for the first 6 weeks which include post-partum specific meals and snacks for the weeks, massage, breastfeeding support and whatever you need to get the nourishment you need and the nurturing you deserve. 

Instagram: @cocoonbynaomi

Briony Goodsell

Briony has a range of prenatal, in-birth and postpartum offerings. She offers sacred homebirth and freebirth support, pregnancy support (both online and in person), Aryuvedic postpartum support and ceremony, mama blessings, pregnancy and postpartum massage/womb healing treatments.

Instagram: @brionygoodsell

Birthmama maternity

Lisa is a Doula, Birth Educator and Student Midwife. Offering pre-natal, birth and post-natal support to birthing families during one of life’s greatest transitions. With bespoke packages to suit all needs and budgets, I am constantly evolving to meet the current environment we are faced with. My soul's purpose is to ensure you feel empowered and supported to journey through your birth and step into parenthood feeling confident and happy.

Instagram @birthmamamaternity

Nourish our Mothers

Renee is a certified Birth and Postpartum doula with her main focus as postpartum right now as she has a young son. In addition to her postpartum doula services, she also offers Fourth trimester freezer meal packages for expectant parents. Renee services Wollongong and surrounding areas up to Engadine. 

Birth Collective Illawarra

Lulu and Sharon create a safe, joyful space for learning and sharing for women and people who are pregnant. Their pregnancy circles occur weekly where a guest practitioner or parent sometimes joins to add to the magic. Culturally safe and encouraging of all nationalities, cultural and linguistic heritages they are experienced at cross-cultural communication. A place for conception, pregnancy, birth and parenthood. Offering pregnancy circles, mothers/parents groups, workshops and events. Tickets are found on the Embodied Birth website

Instagram: @birthcollectiveillawarra

Heart & Held Co - Tori King

Holding space for women traversing the portal of matrescence. Tori offers full spectrum birth work (preconception, pregnancy, birth & postpartum) for women birthing at home (homebirth or freebirth). Alongside birth work she offers holistic beauty therapy treatments. Think blissful facials & head massages. She also offer goddess gift boxes, beautiful gifts for every season of womanhood.

Instagram: @tori.heartandheldco

Breastfeeding essence

With 12 years of lactation consultant experience, Julie travels from Helensburgh to Kiama and up to Campbelltown. Her main aim is to help mums maintain their milk supply and have that special bond with their babies. 

Wollongong lactation consultants 

Wollongong Lactation Consultants is run by two local midwives and International Board Certified Lactation Consultants, Emma Gedge and Helen Donovan. They do home visits across the Illawarra and Shoalhaven, providing breastfeeding support and advice to families, on a wide range of issues. Emma also works alongside Louise David at Woonona Medical Practice with a clinic every Thursday, specialising in tongue tie assessment and release.

Haley Findlay

Haley is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), midwife & mother offering holistic & heart centred breastfeeding support across the span of motherhood. Her approach is evidence and attachment based while acknowledging that every breastfeeding journey is unique. She provides a safe space for you to be heard and supported in a place of compassion and non-judgement. You can work with Haley at Mama Base in Wollongong on Wednesdays. She also offers home-visits and virtual consultations.

IG: @haley.finlay.ibclc

We have tried to include all current birth keepers and doulas in this article and we apologise if we have missed you out. If you are a birth worker in the Illawarra please reach out and let us know at @betterbirthsillawarra@gmail.com and we will update this and add you! If you appreciate your service being shared by Better Births Illawarra to our community consider buying us a coffee and donate to us :-)

Written by BBI volunteer and all round wonderful human being Elyse Oldroyd from Postpartum With Elyse doula services (@postpartumwithelyse).

Childbirth classes in Wollongong

Childbirth classes in Wollongong and Surrounds. 

In Wollongong and surrounds there are many options for antenatal or childbirth classes,  pregnancy support groups and other ways to support families to prepare for birth and early parenthood. This blog will cover options for  in-person and online antenatal or childbirth education options currently available in the Illawarra and Shoalhaven region. A directory of classes is found at the end of the blog.

What are the benefits of a childbirth or antenatal class?

Knowledge is power. Learning what happens in labour and birth helps us to trust our body to bring our baby into the world. Some of us are lucky enough to be in communities where birth is spoken about and you may have witnessed the birth of a sibling. Mostly, knolwege has been lost when it comes to childbirth. Because we rarely witness births these days, and our aunties and mothers may not talk about their births or we are often confronted with traumatic birth stories. It is no wonder we need to re-learn how to give birth. The hospital system does not always put women in the center of maternity care which makes is important for parents to seek out the knowledge to support them have the best birth experience. Antenatal education can:

• Give you the knowledge and information to approach your labour and birth with confidence and trust in your body.

• Help you be aware and understand the choices that are available to you throughout the pregnancy and birth experience, no matter what your model of care is - public hospital, private hospital or birthing at home. 

• Classes help the birth support person understand their role to support their partner birth.

• Come together with other pregnant people and parters, listen to their questions and experiences which helps eliminate isolation and increase connectedness

Publicly available information shows birthing in hospitals can involve unnecessary medical interventions and whilst many parents are opting and able to access homebirth most parents in the Illawarra and Shoalhaven birth in a hospital environment. What we are witnessing is women no longer want to be the passive recipient of their care. We understand a positive birth has a significant impact the post-partum period, on bonding with our baby, how we heal from birth and how we feel about ourselves as a mother, parent and family on this new (or not so new) journey. We understand the importance of being prepared rather than going with the flow. Antenatal classes are just one way to help families prepare.

Antenatal classes generally teach:

• physical and emotional preparation for labour

• signs of labour 

• how labour progresses

• different labour and birthing positions

• relaxation and breathing skills

• early parenting

• breastfeeding

• newborn baby behaviour

With improved knowledge and trust in your own body you can then work towards making the right choices for the birth experience that is right for you and your baby and is a positive step towards improving the emotional wellbeing of the family. 

In the Illawarra, antenatal education can cost anywhere from $0-$550 for group classes or up to $800 for private classes. If you are not in a financial position to attend these childbirth classes you still have options.. First try contacting your chosen class to see if they can assist with a discount or a payment plan second get in touch with Peaceful Birth Partnership who provide free antenatal classes (see more details below).

With a vast and varied range of options available for antenatal education here are just some of what the Illawarra has to offer (prices listed are as of 7th January 2022)

Better Births Illawarra

Better Births runs affordable antenatal education through our 4 hour Active Birth Skills workshop. Parents will find out about active birth skills and the  proven links to labours which are shorter, less painful and requiring less intervention. This workshop is led by Fiona Reid, a midwife with over 30 years experience and Helen Donovan a midwife and lactation consultant with nearly a decade of experience. Both midwives are experienced in birthing at Wollongong hospital and homebirths. They have strong localised knowledge and will work through common scenarios in both settings.

The workshop covers:

• Benefits of active birth

• Active birth positions which can help during labour

• How to use props during labour such as birth balls, mats and slings

• Making the most of your birth environment (at hospital or home) during active birth

• How partners or support people can help during active birth

Active Birth Skills Workshop $90 per person (Limited spots available on 6th March 2022, future dates to be confirmed)

Calmbirth with Lyndal Scerri

Lyndal is a Registered Midwife/Nurse. Her recent maternity experience is mostly in postnatal care, however she has experience and has worked in all areas, including Midwifery Group Practice.Lyndal knows and has seen first hand that birth is life changing and says, “I don’t just want to help you or your loved ones reach their birthing potential but over time I want to see and be part of a generational change where our daughters and granddaughters no longer fear labour and birth but instead, revel in the challenge of seeing what a woman’s body is truly capable of.”

An evidence-based education program proven to:

• reduce rates of medical intervention
• reduce use of pain relief
• reduce the impact of postnatal anxiety & depression
• enrich the birth experience as positive, irrespective of how they birth.

South Coast Calmbirth

Calmbirth Wollongong is run by Regina Power, a Calmbirth educator for the past 14 years.

Calmbirth is a holistic, thorough, unbiased, and collaboratively designed course that addresses all the needs of birthing couples on an emotional and physical level. A 12-hour face to face program, Calmbirth strives to reframe birth & empower women to work with their bodies and team to create a positive experience.

• Group classes $550

• Refresher Course $330

• January Course (Online), February (face-to-face), March (face to face)

Illawarra Birth Classes

Balanced, evidence-based knowledge to help you have a positive birth. Classes cover both the physical processes, while giving you and your support person skills to navigate your birth experience.

Illawarra Birth Classes are taught by birth doula Alyssa, with a huge wealth of experienced in supporting births in Wollongong Public & Private Hospitals and homebirths. Specifically for Illawarra families you will learn hints and tips about local hospitals and common scenarios.

A large range of comfort skills are covered and we don’t tell you how you should give birth. You gain the skills and knowledge to achieve the birth you plan.

Empowered Birth Class 9am-5pm $249 (Jan and Feb Sold Out)
Fourth Trimester Parenting Class 9am-1pm $100 (Jan Sold Out)

Minga Gudjaga - Waminda South coast

Minga Gudjaga (Mother and Baby) is the child and maternal health program for Aboriginal women and their families that offers community focused, holistic, continuity of midwifery care. They provide spiritual, cultural, emotional and physical support during pregnancy, labour, birth and up to five years of age. Contact them for more information on their antenatal education.

Peaceful Birth Partnership

The Peaceful Birth Partnership is a small group of women offering pregnancy and birth support as well as birth education to women, free of cost. They believe that having solid support throughout pregnancy, birth and early parenting is a human right and should not be limited to women with extra financial resources. 

They offer pregnancy and birth classes in groups or one-on-one. Their approach is trauma-informed and sensitive to the cultural and faith backgrounds of the women they serve. They also have a curriculum developed especially for mums who are new to Australia or learning English for the first time. They prioritise supporting women who are new to Australia, learning English, single mums and/or those with a healthcare/pension card.  

Email them at peacefulbirthpartnership@gmail.com for more information and to book your spot. Whilst they offer free classes, donations are welcome if you are able and will be put towards supporting more women.

Wollongong Public Hospital

Wollongong Public Hospital offers 2-hour childbirth education sessions online and free. Running every second Saturday with a choice of morning or afternoon classes. Breastfeeding classes and Gestational diabetes information sessions are also available for those birthing in the public system. Contact the Antenatal Clinic for more information and bookings.

Where can I get mental health support?

Mothers, parents, partners and healthcare professionals are being encouraged to write down their experience of birth trauma including in pregnancy, labour, birth and postpartum to the NSW Upper House Inquiry into Birth Trauma.

We are painfully aware this Inquiry process may be resurfacing a lot of emotions and memories for people which may be causing distress. We encourage you to take care of yourself above all else.

Whilst the Inquiry is important, so is your mental, emotional, psychological and spiritual health. To help you through this period, we have listed a range of services in the Illawarra Shoalhaven below. The list of local practitioners at the end of the blog is not a complete list and is up to date as of 22nd July 2023. We are not affiliated and do not endorse these practitioners. It is each individual’s responsibility to research and ensure the service or practitioner is right for you.

Emergency Assistance

000 – If you or someone you care about is in crisis and you think that immediate help is needed, call triple zero (000) or go to your local hospital emergency department.

Lifeline 13 11 14 or Text 0477 13 11 14 – Provides 24 hour access to crisis support, suicide prevention and mental health support services. They also offer online chat and a text messaging service, find out more on their website.

Suicide callback service 1300 659 467 – Provides 24 hour crisis counselling to people at risk of suicide, carers for someone who is suicidal and those bereaved by suicide. Find out more on their website.

Psychological Support

PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia) 1300 726 306 – Provides free national telephone support counselling from Monday to Saturday. They have information on antenatal and postnatal depression including resources in 40 languages on their website.

Mental Health Line 1800 011 511. Mental Health Line is a NSW 24/7 statewide phone services which links people with NSW mental health services.

Domestic Violence helpline 1800 737 732 or website. 1800RESPECT is available 24/7 to support people impacted by domestic, family, or sexual violence.

Illawarra-based Perinatal Counsellors and Psychologists

The following list of practitioners is based on information we have at the time. If you notice a psychologist or counsellor who offers perinatal support is missing please email us at betterbirthsillawarra@gmail.com.

Brave Psychology

Banksia Psychology

Mamabase Illawarra - Psychology

Illawarra Women’s Mental Health

Angela Chadwick Psychology

Arahni Lion

The Birth Counsel

Banner Image taken from PANDA Website.org.au/

Illawarra Baby and Child Loss Support Group

Better Births Illawarra was recently sent a moving and beautiful story of from a local mother Caitlin who knew she was going to birth a sleeping baby at 17 weeks. And just like any other mother, she researched how to prepare herself for the birth of her baby.

On the 30th of Jan 2022 Archie was born, his mum Caitlin had done some research on the water method that can be used after a baby has passed away wanted to give it a go and now wants to help other parents know about this method. Her story is found here. Please know there a photos of Archie in the story.

These precious and gut-wrenching birth stories are often not shared. Why is that? Is it our greatest fears a pregnant mothers and birth givers? Do we not want to put fear in other families? Is it because we won’t know what to say to the grieving parents? We understand that this is a very tender and can be a distressing area to discuss so please do not hesitate to call Lifeline Australia on 13 11 14 if you need to speak to someone immediately.

We know, that when we shine the light on the experiences of others, there is someone out there that needed to hear and read that story. And often, sharing of a story can be part of the healing process itself.

Here in the Illawarra we have a local support group and Amanda, one of it’s members sent us some information to share with families. They have a website with information and contact details on how to access support.
Formerly known as the Illawarra Parents of Baby Angels (IPOBA), the Illawarra Baby and Child Loss Support Group began in 2002, offering support to parents in the Illawarra who had experienced a loss. Whilst we have been operating in the community for 20 years we rely mostly on word of mouth to reach families that need us most. Over the past 5 years we have ramped up initiatives and communications within the local hospitals however more work still needs to be done.

Last year we became incorporated and will continue to grow our group in order to meet the needs of the community for the next 20 years and onwards.

Illawarra Baby and Child Loss Support offers local bereaved parents the opportunity share the ongoing journey of grief after pregnancy and infant loss with other bereaved parents in the community. The Group holds regular support meetings and maintains a private Facebook group where local loss parents can come together to share their pain and moments of hope as they navigate life after loss.

If you or someone you know has experienced miscarriage, pre-term, stillbirth or neonatal loss please know you are not alone. Reach out or message via the following methods to find out more information and access the support we offer.

Website: http://rememberme-illawarra.square.site/

Email: remembermeillawarra@hotmail.com

Facebook and Insta:@remembermeillawarra

WIN News Illawarra - One woman, One midwife

WIN News interviewed Better Births Illawarra yesterday as we relaunched our efforts to expand Wollongong's midwifery-led care. Interest in the issue will go national, as new documentary BirthTime highlights the need for change in our approach to maternity services.Tickets still available for the Thirroul screening on March 31st.