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A birth plan is an outline of your preferences for labour and delivery. It can be presented as a formal document which can be used as an effective communication tool between yourself, your care provider, and your labour support team. Your birth plan may include information about:

• People you would like to be present at your birth

• Preferences for pain relief medication

• Relaxation & comfort measure you would like to utilise

• The use of medical procedures/interventions

• Newborn care & vaccinations

While your birth experience may deviate from your original plan, having your preferences written down can make all the difference to the type of care you and your baby receive. Birth plans are an effective way for medical staff to manage your care and can be especially helpful if there are shift changes during your labour.

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A doula is a non-medical birth professional who provides physical, emotional, and educational support to an expectant mother before, during, and after childbirth. A doula understands the physiology of birth and assists a woman in preparing both physically and mentally for the labour and birth process. She can advocate for a mother during labour and facilitate communication between the mother, partner, and medical support team.

Benefits of having doula support for Mum include:

• Reduced need for pain relief

• Reduced risk for Caesarean delivery

• Greater satisfaction with birth experience

• Higher self-esteem

• Less anxiety

• Greater maternal satisfaction and bonding with baby

• Reduced likelihood of experiencing postnatal depression

Benefits of having doula support for Baby include:

• Improved APGAR scores at birth

• Fewer admissions to NICU

• More likely to be breastfed

• Increased bond between mother & baby

• Shorter hospital stays

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Our doula, Stephanie, is available for the following doula services:

• Birth Planning Consultation

• Pre/Postnatal Information Consultation

• Labour & Birth Support