Frequently Asked Questions
How a Doula Can Help You?
As your doula, my role is to be there for you, looking out for your wellbeing and supporting you throughout your birth/parenting journey.
I will:
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give emotional and physical support during pregnancy, labour, and the postpartum period
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listen to your hopes and concerns, helping you overcome your fears
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provide advice on writing your birth plan and how to stay as close to your request as possible, while explaining why, how, and when medical intervention/assistance can be needed as we use the BRAIN acronym.
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encourage you to trust in the natural process of labour, your body, your instincts, and your baby
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answer your questions, and give up-to-date information about your choices so you can make the best decisions for you and your family.
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share practical tips and resources to help you prepare for positive, gentle birth and parenting
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support you 100% in the choices you make as parents
Can you take photos or video during my labour and birth?
Yes, absolutely. I'm not a professional photographer but I love to capture any special moments while keeping my phyiscal and emotional support for you my priority. I will use my phone and send you the images soon after, or use your own camera.
I know how magical this day will be for you and your family, so I'll try to take as many nice shots of you in labour, the birth, and after the birth as a family. We can talk about what you would/would not like photographed in one of our prenatal meetings.
What is the B.R.A.I.N System ?
BRAIN is a simple acronym that you can use to help you make informed decisions about your healthcare from conception, pregnancy, birth, postpartum & even parenting. It provides a logical approach to weighing in on the many choices you face during your journey.
B - What are the Benefits of making this decision?
R - What are the Risks associated with this decision?
A - Are there Alternatives? If so, what are they?
I - What does is my Intuition say? What is your gut telling you?
N - What if I do Nothing ( or wait it out)?
When Can I Use the Acronym BRAIN?
In most cases, you will be able to speak with your Doctor(s) or Midwife(s) before your informed decision is made. By exploring the benefits, risks, and alternatives, as well as listening to your intuition, you are exercising your ability to think through your options. This will help you & your partner make the best choice(s) for your situation.
It also balances evidence-based information with the opinions & advice of others. After all, YOU are in charge of making the decisions for YOUR JOURNEY & BODY, and you have the right to know ALL of your options.
I love to remind my clients to use the acronym BRAIN when they are anxious about making a decision. I compare it to “taking a breath”, because it allows for a pause in action, for the dialogue needed before making a decision.
What is a Sibling Doula?
A sibling doula provides supports to your children during the transition to becoming an older brother or sister. The sibling doula service is appropriate to all ages, your doula will work with you to define your wishes for your child(ren) involvement during the birth and can join you once you go into labour.
What is Full Spectrum Doula?
A full spectrum doula is a person who recognizes that pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period can have many different outcomes. Womb Tribe can provide support during the full spectrum of pregnancy and beyond. From conception, to abortions, miscarriages, stillbirths, adoptions, births, the
postpartum period and everything in between.
For services & discounts not listed in our packages,
Please contact us directly.
If you are feeling overwhelmed, please reach out to me. I am here to listen and to provide support.
You can call me or text me at +61 434 300 130
email me at Victoria@wombtribe.org
Remember – you are NOT alone.
Cesarean birth ?
Ask About
Our Family - Centered Cesarean
Birth Guide
What is a Doula?
A doula is a person who supports a birther and their partner before, during, and after childbirth. Providing emotional support, physical comfort, and evidence-base information.We can also be called a birth worker, birth coach, or change maker. Some doulas, myself included, also have qualifications to give support after birth as postnatal/postpartum doulas.
What is a MSP?
MSP stands for Maternal Support Practitioner, Victoria has trained with Bebo Mia, and is able to provide fertility, birth, and postpartum doula support.
When should you hire a doula?
You can hire a us at any stage. It's never too early or too late to get doula support. In our opinion, the most important thing in hiring a doula is the connection that you develop with them, not the date that you start working with them. We offer a full spectrum of support to guide you through all journeys in life.
Can I still have a Doula...
...if I'm having a C-section?
...if I'm having an induction?
...if I'm having multiples?
...if this is not my first birth?
Yes, we can still support you as your Doula. We can help you with birth mapping, make suggestions that might improve your experience, help you understand the process, and address any worries ahead of time.
On the day I can come with you and help settle you into hospital, some care providers will allow me into theatre if that’s what you want.If not, I can wait and help make you comfortable afterwards, supporting you both in those precious first few hours of family life.
As a part of planned postpartum support, I also offer additional postnatal hours for the first 6 - 8 weeks for caesarians, and multiples.
Benefits to having a Doula present at Your Birth
The researchers found that overall, people who have continuous support during childbirth experience a:
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39% decrease in the risk of Cesarean
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15% increase in the likelihood of a spontaneous vaginal birth
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10% decrease in the use of any medications for pain relief; the type of person providing continuous support did not make a difference
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Shorter labors
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38% decrease in the baby’s risk of a low five minute Apgar score
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31% decrease in the risk of being dissatisfied with the birth experience; birther’s risk of being dissatisfied with the birth experience was reduced with continuous support provided by a doula or someone in their social network (family or friend), but not hospital staff
Pregnancy & Giving Birth during the
COVID-19 pandemic
Pregnancy can be a time of anxiety for many people at the best of times. These are not normal times, and we are facing challenges that we’ve never had to face before. It is a scary time for all of us. So if you are pregnant and reading this, I want you to know ONE very important thing: you are not alone.
I know that you are probably feeling very overwhelmed right now. There is a lot of confusion out there and not a lot of answers. I want to reassure you that support is available for you and your partner.
If at all possible, I will support you at home in early labour, until you feel ready to go to hospital. I will provide labour support if you are having a home birth (with a qualified midwife). Pending hospital approval - I will continue to support you in hospital throughout your labour. In circumstances where I am unable to provide in-person support, I will be available via phone, text, FaceTime, WhatsApp or Zoom in order to provide you and your partner with virtual support. And extra postnatal support will be offered in lieu of that too.
As a Doula, I Do Not:
Perform any clinical tasks
I'm not medically trained and not responsible for your clinical care,
I can't do any of the following:
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give medical advice
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take your blood pressure
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monitor your or your baby's heart rate
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administer any medications, homeopathic treatments etc
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measure or palpate your belly to assess our baby's size or position
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do internal examinations to assess your cervix
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deliver your baby.
Replace You Partner
Make decisions for you
Speak to the staff on your behalf
Project any of my own beliefs onto your experience