Sherpabirths

'Doula' is a Greek word dating back to antiquity for a woman who serves other people's needs, a slave person whose role is to be there for another person. It was coined to describe lay support for women during the perinatal period by Dr Dana Raphael, an anthropologist, pacifist and philanthropist.

Today, a birth doula is a companion who is present to listen to you, reassure and support you and your partner through any or all of the parts of your birth journey: preconception, pregnancy, birth and your early life with your new baby. 

A doula can also be there for life-changing moments in life: puberty, menopause, periods of loss and death.

They offer a hand held out for when you need, as you find your own way through the challenges and choices that lie along the way.

A doula is someone who gets to know you personally and is there to help you feel listened to in an unjudged and unbiased way, to feel safe even as you express your doubts and to offer reassurance. 

A doula is part of a community network who can help you get into contact with a wide range of healthcare specialists to take care of your specific needs regarding your physical, emotional and mental well-being. A doula can also connect you with a wider community of peers journeying through these life transitions.

A doula is trained to accompany you, but is not trained in any medical interventions and does not give any medical advice. Midwives, doctors and nurses may share many of the qualities of a doula, however they also have medical training and responsibilities which mean it may not always be possible to fulfill simultaneously the role of one-on-one continuous emotional and physical support as well as providing the medical attention needed to you or the other people they are attending at the same time. 

A doula's skills are aimed at complementing vital medical support, along with the personal support of loved ones: with the goal of creating a holistic sense of comfort and well-being. 

• Listen to your dreams, hopes and concerns as you find your way along your personal journey of parenthood.

• Become a resource connecting you with a variety of professionals, organisations and communities supporting you before and after birth and at other times of life change.

 • Provide links to evidence-based and unbiased information taken from respected organisations such as Evidence Based Birth, and World Health Organisation. Being informed supports your capacity to make choices that are yours, suited to your personal situation.

 • Offer ways to help you feel more comfortable before and during labour: breathing, visualisation, movement, acupressure, massage and Rebozo techniques for pain relief, according to your wishes.

• Empower the birth partner, for example with knowledge of how to use the above techniques during pregnancy, early labour and labour. Having some skills and techniques such as these can make them feel calmer and reduce fears about not knowing what to do, or experiencing a sense of helplessness in challenging situations.

• Support the partner through the birth, offering them an ear and reassuring them that continuous care is being provided, even when they need to take a break or to attend to other family members.

  • Provide reassurance (online or in person, when requested) for the new mother, partner and family during the early days of parenthood, listening and supporting her through the new challenges, providing contacts of any additional health professionals such as lactation consultants and osteopaths.

•  Connect pregnant, new and experienced parents through local support groups and communities, help facilitate groups to ensure everyone feels fully listened to and respected whatever experiences they have had and decisions they make on their journey.

On my motherhood journey I've experienced raising my family living in different lands, where I have had the pleasure and privilege to  develop deep connections and respect for people from everywhere.

I recognise from my own experience the need for personal support from both individuals and communities to help meet the new challenges life presents, especially when you have few or no close family and friends to help you. During the inevitable emotional roller-coasters, there is often a heightened need to feel valued and cared for by those you can trust around you, in addition to the support of family and friends from afar. 

My journey is my journey, and as a doula I am ready to offer, to give, to serve the needs of those who feel my presence feels right for them: offering comfort, support and reassurance throughout, while you make the decisions that work best for you.

I live in the 'three countries quartier' of France, Switzerland and Germany, near Basel.

I am available to travel within a 1-hour drive of Basel.

• Mulhouse, Colmar and Séléstat in France. 
•  Bern, Luzern, Zurich and Délémont in Switzerland. 
• Lörrach and Freiburg in Germany. 

I am part of a close-knit international, English-speaking doula back-up group in the North West of Switzerland and am in regular contact with doulas in France and Germany. I will happily make referrals to colleagues in these areas when requested/needed.

I am fluent in English, Spanish and French and believe the most important form of communication is one of kindness and respect!