Melbourne Doula

Welcome to 'Melbourne Doula', the place where I share what birth work is teaching is me, and what I am learning from the wonderful families who have invited me to share this most special season of their lives. Here you will find information about me and the doula services I provide, birth stories from remarkable women and their loved ones, as well as all kinds of resources to enrich your own journey of discovery. And welcome also to BLISSFUL HERBS, the home of beautiful herbal teas and bath herbs to support wellness through every season of life.

Birth Stories

Every woman, and every birth is unique. Here some very special women tell their stories in their own words.

Clare's Family Birth
After two hospital births and one birth centre birth, Clare chose homebirth for her 4th and 5th babies.









Sarah's Home Lotus Birth
Sarah did a lot of research and personal preparation in the process of deciding to have her first baby at home.







Carrie's Triumphant VBAC
Carrie had serious complications with her first pregnancy, resulting in a life-saving caesarean. She overcame a lot of fear and researched her options thoroughly in order to achieve her heart's desire - to have a normal vaginal birth for her second baby.




Laura's Family Birth - a journey to trust
Laura's first baby was born in a private hospital. Her second birth was a planned homebirth which ended in transfer and a traumatic experience in hospital. During her third pregnancy, Laura faced her trust issues and took hold of her right to be the authority in her birth.





Miranda's Planned Birth Centre Birth - ending in transfer, induction and caesarean.
This beautifully written story follows Miranda's intention to have a natural birth in a birth centre. But the obstetric policy of transferring women who gestate past 42 weeks put Miranda on a trajectory quite different to what she had hoped and planned.



Sharon's VBAC - birth is just really tough sometimes
After a disappointing caesarean the first time, Sharon started looking for a different way. She researched doulas and found me. Then she chose to try a homebirth with an experienced independent midwife for her VBAC birth. Sharon did much reading, research and prepared the best she could. She worked very hard during her birth, with courage and endurance. In the end, she transferred to hospital and her baby boy was born with the help of forceps and an obstetrician she knew and trusted. In this poignant birth story, Sharon writes with clarity and honesty about the disappointment she felt that her births were not as easy and straightforward as some that you hear about. Sharon's story may be validating to the many women who've had similar experiences. The photo shows Sharon with her little girl and baby son.



The Birth of Galileo - homebirth after two caesareans

Can you have a vaginal birth after two caesareans?

Can you have a vaginal birth after an inverted T-incision?

Can you have a home birth after two caesareans?

It is OK to go past 42 weeks gestation? Is it possible to have a safe birth after 45 weeks gestation? Would you be 'allowed'?

Is it possible to birth a nearly 12 pound baby after you've been told your pelvis is 'too small'?

Is it possible to birth a nearly 12 pound baby - without a tear?

If the placenta doesn't come out until 7 hours after the birth, doesn't that mean there's something wrong? Is it OK for it to take that long?

If there's a knot in the cord, isn't that dangerous for the baby?

Read this story and see what happened for this brave mama. I did not attend this birth as doula, but heard about it through birthworking friends. It is so inspiring, I asked the mother's permission to share it here.

Plaxy's Homebirth - the birth of Charlie
Plaxy and Simon were planning to have their baby at a family birth centre, but after hearing about homebirth and doing some research, decided homebirth was what they were looking for. As it happened, the birth unfolded so quickly they may not have even made it to the birth centre!


Fleur & Zac's Beautiful Homebirth
Fleur & Zac originally checked out a family birth centre, but coming from New Zealand where homebirth is normal, and a fully funded and supported option, they decided on a homebirth for the birth of their first baby. Here is the story of their amazing experience.

Bec's VBAC - a "special scar" story
Bec had an emergency caesarean for her 5th baby who was born at just 28 weeks. This genuine emergency left her with a "classical" inverted T scar. It was not easy finding a careprovider to support her for a VBAC.

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