I am a mother of 3 and I have been living in Cape Town with my husband and children since we moved here in 2001. My children were all born in Scotland, in our home, with an incredible, devoted midwife. I was very fortunate to have a lot of help and support from her and the health visitor for the first 6 weeks after each birth,  but also from the women of the close knit community in which we lived. As far as I knew this was normal. 

It was also during this time that I began attending the births of some of these women, as their birth companion. 

 

When I moved to South Africa I continued in this role with the women I knew and went on to do my first doula training, qualifying in 2013. It was then that I became really aware of the lack of support available to women during the postpartum period from the healthcare system. What I had known as normal is not the case here. I am dedicated to providing this service for women so that they can be cared for in the best possible way, in the comfort of their own homes, at a time when they need it most.

 

Birth is a mammoth event from which it is imperative to recover fully and properly. Not to mention getting to know and learning to care of a tiny newborn baby. It is a huge adjustment for the whole family, but a particularly big transition for the new mother. Every day can bring something new. For me it is such an honour to share this special and intimate time with a new family.

 

I provide my services in Cape Town and its surrounding suburbs. I give practical and emotional support. As well as the daily checks of mother and baby and the feeding process, I am happy to help mothers in any way they need. Sometimes some light housework, cooking, and helping with older siblings, if necessary, for the mother to feel at ease. And most importantly keeping her company. It can be a very overwhelming time and the new mother needs mothering too. 

 

What grew from the unconditional care shared between the women I was close to, has become a desire to give this invaluable comfort to other women. 

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* I have completed my training and experience hours and am a fully certified PPCP.