Adelaide Doula
My name is Erin Hawksworth and I am a birth and postpartum Doula and founder of Meet the Mother. I love connecting with women and am a lover of all things birth. The name ‘Meet the Mother’ is about our transition to motherhood. This is where we wave goodbye to our maiden days and greet our new self.
‘Birth is where you ‘meet the mother’ and my dear she is beautiful’.
How can a doula support you?
I truly believe that a doula is an underutilised service, they are a ‘warm hug’ in one of the rawest and vulnerable times in a woman’s life. They bring evidence based research and ancient wisdom together, weaving the two into one.
We have many nurturing Adelaide Doula’s and I think the first step is to find one that connects well with you and your family. Many Doula’s offer an initial meet to ensure you are both the right fit for each other. You are welcoming a Doula into you birth space, so you need to feel comfortable with who you have chosen. The birth space is incredibly sacred; we get the importance of taking your time to pick.
Doula support starts in pregnancy and follows through into your postpartum. Many Doula’s offer specialised birth education that is tailored to your birth wishes, antenatal visits that may involve fear releases, organising birth plans, planning for your postpartum or loving on you in this time. They offer natural pain relief options in labour, massage, partner support and are your biggest advocate for supporting you in birthing how you wish. I always find it hard to list exactly what it is a Doula does in labour as it changes with each birth and depends on what that woman needs. I mostly attend home births, so for me, Doula support also looks like supporting the other siblings through the birth, tidying the house in between surges, preparing the bed for the golden hour after birth and making sure the household has some food to eat once baby is earth side. Doula’s support women in their postpartum by providing the mother with nourishing meals, undertaking light cleaning duties, giving breastfeeding support, loving on the mother and really listening and understanding what that woman needs in that moment. Essentially holding space for a woman to be held and heard.
Every Doula offers something a little different, so be sure to check in and see what it is they offer in their packages.
Why did I become a Doula?
In 2021, my daughter was born and the world I knew before birth no longer existed. I was catapulted into long sleepless nights, milky kisses, constant mess and a heart that literally exploded with love every time I thought of my daughter. I felt that something was missing in the early days though. There was a longing for connection, I was struggling with the noise of motherhood and I now know I was suffering from birth trauma. I started to seek out other women and listen to their experiences, I noticed that many felt the same. I felt drawn to birth work and found it very healing learning about the emotional and spiritual side of birth as opposed to just the ‘physical’ side of it.
Since finishing my training and working with many women, I know I am on the right path. I still can’t explain how in awe I am every time I watch a woman reclaim her power and birth the way she chooses. There really is something so special about this work and holding space for women to be their most vulnerable self. I LOVE IT!
Photo by Sophie Moss
What is the best part about being a Doula?
For me, it’s the last roar before a woman meets her baby. The energy in the room is big, but still. Her moment of doubt is gone and she realises just how much power she holds in that moment. This is when I hand over my energy and create a sense of stillness and calm for the mother, I am the anchor if she needs it. In this moment, the partner is almost always filled with amazement at this incredibly primal experience. Knowing they are about to meet their baby. I think this is when women truly know what they are capable of. Birth heals the world and women are the catalyst for this. How amazing!
If you are interested in learning more about my offerings or availability, please email meetthemother@gmail.com or find me on Instagram @meetthemother.doula
*Photos posted with permission*
Comments