Doula services, childbirth classes, & pelvic floor education in Otepoti-Dunedin.

HOSPITAL HOME

FREE

ALL BIRTHS

ARE

BEAUTY

Calm & grounded care for the childbearer. Providing physical, emotional, & spiritual support so you can birth with confidence.

Holding families in their power through pregnancy & birth in Otepoti - Dunedin.

TRUST

I trust your body.

You trust your body.

I trust you to trust your body.

You trust me to trust your body.

Offerings

Birth Doula $700

Birth Preparation $100/2 hours

Pelvic Floor Recovery $100/2 hours

Preconception Pelvic Floor Education
Offered as a workshop - check fb for event.
Please contact me for private session inquiries.

Postpartum Massage $50/hour
To settle energy and close the pelvic bones.

Pay what you can & barter accepted.
See next section for more details.

More information on offerings:

Birth Doula Package

1 free initial meeting
3 in-person visits during pregnancy
Continuous support throughout labor and birth
Phone/text support throughout pregnancy
Support 1-2 hours immediate postpartum
Help with birth preferences and provider questions
Emotional and physical support
1 home postpartum visit
Initial basic chest/breastfeeding support

Prenatal visits include:

Birth planning (exploring what is most important to you and expressing it clearly, so if communication during labour is difficult or the unexpected happens, you can trust your wishes are being honoured, and there is no need to answer questions in the moment.)
Building connection and trust with your body for increased confidence and ability to “drop in” when in labour.
Listening and clearing of issues to approach the birth right-of-passage as your most powerful self.
Energetic/spiritual preparation or light massage.
Planning of pre-birth ceremony (facilitation of ceremony is $50).
Exploring resources for birth like music playlists, preferred essential oils, & recorded affirmations.
Practical tips for birth and postpartum preparation, for mother and partner.

Labour & birth support includes:

Mother’s-wishes-first policy, e.g. birth plan is being followed and mother feels she is being heard and respected.
Labour and birth position guidance.
Natural pain reduction techniques including light touch, breathing, accupressure, & toning.
Support of the partner’s confidence and participation in the birth.
Energetic clearing of the space to maintain a safe, nurturing area for mother and baby to work together in birth.
Photos, if desired and convenient.
Offering food, drink, and encouragement.

Postpartum 1-2 hours includes:

Protecting the “golden hour+” to optimize bonding between mother and baby.
Tidying of the space.
Light meal prep as needed.

Postpartum visit includes:

Birth debrief & outlining of birth story/timeline.
Light massage/energy work.
Resource recommendations as needed (lactation support, food delivery, etc.)

Many midwives in NZ want to be free to serve/walk with/be with women more, but are unable to because of time & money constraints, licensing/reporting rules, and training that focuses on the medical instead of traditional midwifery skills. Many midwives and doctors have no experience with completely natural childbirth.

If families, midwives, and doctors only know medical birth, and a mum wants the best chance at experiencing a physiological & sacred birth, then hiring a doula is step worth taking.

Testimonials

I had Suzy as a Doula and only have positive things to say about my experience. She was a great extra set of hands and gave me a lot of helpful information beforehand for my first birth. She helped provide a stress-free and relaxed atmosphere during a long labour. Having her massage and be next to me during the pain was comforting. Thank you.

-Jennifer (powerful warrior mum)

Suzy came after 10 hours of labour. As soon as she came in the space I felt a sense of ease, and that things were going to be fine. She did an amazing job looking after my partner’s needs. Very intuitive. She allowed me to have a break and was attentive to the birthing process. Her confidence was felt and I am very happy she was part of our birth. Would highly recommend her!

-Matias (steady, trusting dad)

Suzy was a lovely, calming energy postpartum. She showed up gentle, calm, & understanding of the vulnerable state I was in. Her postpartum assistance and massage was helpful for allowing myself to relax. I would highly recommend her services. (Thank you for your help and supportive energy!)

- Mum whose birth took an unexpected route.

Meet Suzy

Supporting women's confidence to birth how they choose.

My goal is to support you, the childbearer, to feel confident to birth in your own time & in your own way.

Medicated, unmedicated, natural, cesarean, homebirth, and freebirth are all supported and respected.

I am a loving mum of two, currently 19 yrs and 12 yrs.

Both births were unmedicated, fast, and intense. The first was born by ventouse delivery at a birthing centre, and the second at home in Bluff.

They were both beautiful and challenging experiences that taught me how all the training professionals undergo does not prepare them to hold birth as a sacred event or recognize the emotional needs of the birthing parent or their partner.

I work next to midwives and medical personnel to bridge this gap.

I love people and raw life experiences, so supporting families through the transformation of birth is a natural fit.

My training & experience in the following give me a range of skills to draw upon in helping you prepare for and experience your best birth: doula work, pelvic floor yoga & education, mums & bubs yoga, ABR bodywork for disabled, Reiki III, mirimiri, Merkabah level 3, Transformational Breathwork, Freebirth Society's Complete Guide To Freebirth, Spinning Babies weekend workshop, Claire Eccleston's Wombcraft & Scar Tissue Remediation workshops.