An interview with Laura Trantino (by Kirrah Holborn)

KH: Why do you think people would be interested in hiring a post natal doula?

LT: Straight after birth is a very special time for the mother to bond with her baby. I think that having some extra help around the house (cooking, cleaning and looking after little ones) is very nurturing. It helps the mother to relax and take time to bond with her baby without worrying about everyday tasks.

KH: Would other family members help out too?

LT: Yes, some do. But there are a lot of people that have family living in other states or have some difficulty getting along. Sometimes it's nice to have some nurturing help without judgment or pressure. This is the advantage of having a doula come and help.

KH: How come you're drawn to this kind of work?

LT: I'm a nurturing person who loves to help. I'm friendly and caring and I love to cook! I grew up in an Italian family so cooking is everything! Being in an Italian family- you're thinking of food constantly! I cook from the heart so it's really nurturing and so beneficial for new families.

KH: What other things do you help with?

LT: I come in and ask the mother what she actually wants done. I can tailor my help to what needs to be done. I can run errands, I can look after her newborn while she showers or has a bath and I can help with washing/hanging clothes or cleaning the house.

KH: When is a good time to hire a postnatal doula?
LT: I would say that it would be different for each woman. Some have family members in the first week so tend to hire a post natal doula when their partner needs to return to work or help drops off. Other people don't have close family so they want extra help straight away within the first or second day.

KH: Did I hear you have some discounts at the moment?
LT: Yes! From now until mid september you can enjoy a discounted rate. The price for 2 hours is $70 (normally $80) and 3 hours is $85 (Normally $100) and for 4 hours it's $100 (Normally $120). I can be contacted on 0405 730 933 or laurauratrantino@yahoo.com.au

Thanks for the interview Laura! I hope more people can realise the amazing benefits of having a post natal doula come and help out!

Have you heard horror birth stories or seen too many dramatic TV births? It's not very confidence boosting is it? In this article, you will discover 7 tips for how to look forward to giving birth (even if you're afraid).

1. Use Birth Stories to Your Advantage
People often see pregnancy as a ticket to tell you birth stories they've experienced or heard. Everyone wants to share! Unfortunately, not all stories are positive and many can perpetuate the feelings of uncertainty or fear. One of the best tips that I can share that can help you turn these stories into something you can benefit from, is to ask the people; "What helped you cope in labour"?

This brings the focus onto the useful information and may give you tools to learn how you too can cope if unexpected or unwanted surprises pop up in your birthing journey. It reframes the story from one of negativity to one of hope and encouragement. It also helps the 'story teller' to see the positive light. Often people are telling their stories because they need to work through some aspects of it. So, quickly diverting the story to the positive or helpful information such as useful things that helped the person to cope or how they knew they could get through, can benefit all involved!  

2. Stop watching dramatic TV shows!
Instead watch positive birth films showing real people birthing. Hearing how others have conquered their fears and faced obstacles can help you build confidence in your abilities. It also helps you raise awareness about the birthing process and allows you to see solutions to questions. Some good films to check out are 'Birth as we know it', 'The Big Stretch' and 'The Business of Being Born'. 

Imagine having a servant to help you with all your needs. Now imagine that this servant is a caring friend who will journey beside you through the rite of passage of becoming a mother. She may give massages, help provide resources, be a listening ear and become a friend. 

Just like people can hire tour guides for their trekking adventures, coaches for their sporting events and teachers for their studies, Doula's are the mentors and advocates of the birthing journey.

What are Doula’s?
Coming from a Greek word, Doula (pronounced doo-la) translates as ‘woman servant’ or ‘woman caregiver’. In ancient times, women always attended other women through their labour’s. This phenomenon is not new at all. Today, it is gaining popularity to seek assistance of doula's to help pregnant women (and their partner or families) during pregnancy, birth and beyond. 

Doula’s are non-medical people (often women), who understand the physical and emotional aspects of pregnancy and birth but do not have any clinical responsibilities. They are childbirth assistants that provide the woman and her partner with both emotional and physical support during the entire labour and birth and immediate postpartum period.

What do Doula's do?
 Given that there are many hopes and fears surrounding birth, all mothers and fathers can benefit from extra emotional support and help during pregnancy and labour. Having a nurturing and experienced doula can be a calming presence in the intensity of labour. Doula’s complement the support given by husbands, partners or midwives. They are experienced in providing birth support and can focus on your emotional and physical needs (without being distracted by clinical duties). Doula’s provide a precious and unique presence for women and families, in what ever setting they choose to birth.

Doula’s believe it is the woman’s right to birth where, how and with whom she wishes. 

What are the benefits of having a doula?
Research done by Klaus et al (1993) and Hodnett et al (2011) concluded that support from a Doula enhances wellbeing of mothers and babies and leads to better outcomes.


References:
Hodnett, E. D.; Gates, S.; Hofmeyr, G. J.; Sakala, C.; Weston, J. (2011). Continuous support for women during childbirth. In Hodnett, Ellen D. "Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews". Cochrane database of systematic reviews (Online)

Klaus, M; Kennel, J; Klaus, P (1993). “Mothering the Mother; How a Doula can help you have a shorter, easier and healthier birth”. A Merloyd Lawrence Book, USA.