becoming a new parent does not need to be filled with stress and worry!

You've downloaded all the apps, joined countless Facebook groups, researched pregnancy and parenting books and it’s probably safe to say it all feels like too much! We have complicated birth and early parenting more than it ever needed to be.  Add to that the negative stories and mountains of conflicting advice you may receive from family and friends and it’s no wonder things feels so overwhelming!

I am here to tell you a different story. I KNOW that birth can be joyous, triumphant and empowering.  I know that early parenting doesn’t have to be a sleep-deprived struggle. I’ve seen it again and again with my clients. You can go through birth and begin parenting in a place of strength and confidence versus fear and worry.

My journey into this work started after the birth of my first two children. As a young first time mom, I was very ignorant and took a really hands off approach to my birth experience.  I knew I wanted a low intervention birth and went to hospital assuming the staff would simply help me achieve that. I was very easy going and wanted to "go with the flow" as so many parents often do. While this may be the right choice for some, I've learned it was not the right one for me. My labour quickly went down a path I hadn't intended nor prepared for and ended with what I would say was a negative experience.  Looking back, I know what I was missing was a dedicated support team and a real understanding of what was happening on the labour ward.

During my second pregnancy, I became determined to learn all there was about birth. My husband and I agreed to hire a birth doula who could support us both as I approached this labour with more anxiety.  Our doula helped me address my fears and she was amazing on the day my daughter was born! I felt much more prepared and confident and she took some of the pressure off my husband.  In the end I experienced an unmedicated birth and to this day I still remember the moment I sat up in my hospital bed and thought, "I did it!"  Although my labour didn't go 100% to plan, it was still positive and I felt I had the right support for me at that time.  After such a joyous second birth experience, I knew birth would always be a part of my life.

I began working as a birth doula in 2017 during my fourth pregnancy.  I have since added additional services to support new and expectant parents including placenta encapsulation, private antenatal consultations, pregnancy yoga classes, hypnobirthing and in-home postnatal support.  I am so proud of the level of compassionate services I provide and the community that continues to grow around Limerick Doula Services!