Doula of Dawn, Adelaide (2025)

27/08/2025

✨Misconceptions about birth✨

Let’s talk about them!

1) your waters will break in the middle of the grocery store - this most likely will not happen. It *could* but probably won’t. Even though the movies tell us this happens everywhere 🤪 (also don’t believe labours from movies in general). Labour will usually begin as mild contractions that won’t usually interrupt your day. You may notice them for a few days leading up to labour but rapid waters breaking and immediate intense contractions minutes later = unlikely

2) labour pain is unbearable and you *need* pain management. This should be a very thought out decision, in my opinion. Every step of intervention is a step closer to a c section, as research finds. The “pain” in labour is pain with a purpose. It’s so very different to breaking an arm or pulling out your back. It’s intentional and our bodies were literally created to birth babies. Women have been doing it for centuries and thinking of this leading up to and in labour actually did help me. If women before me could do it, why couldn’t I?Absolutely no shame in wanting pain relief! But for me it wasn’t an option because I needed to feel my body - I would’ve been the first one to know if something was wrong. And an epidural would’ve blocked my brain from knowing what was happening.

3) Caesarean sections are an “easier” way. Absolutely 💯 untrue. I’ve had both and there is *nothing* easy about a major surgery. They’re done far too often, in my opinion for a lot of reasons but it seems numbers are ramping up because it’s convenient. We like to have control over things and waiting is hard. Caesareans are intense. The birth may be different but the recovery is not easier. You can’t hold your baby properly or feed them comfortably for weeks, you can’t walk for days without feeling like you’re splitting yourself apart, you can’t pick up more weight than just your baby (this is not easy if you already have little kids who just want their mum after she’s been away in hospital and if your partner only has a couple weeks off work), you can’t drive for 6 weeks - honestly the list goes on.

Most babies aren’t born on their due dates. But they will come ✨🤍

15/08/2025

This can be a very difficult topic for some women, myself included with my first baby. I wasn’t able to feed her. She never latched, ever (in hindsight) and was losing weight drastically. As soon as formula was recommended I felt defeated immediately. There was nothing else suggested to me - nothing besides pumping and offering her a bottle. I kept up with pumping for two weeks. I was setting an alarm twice in the night to wake up and pump even if my baby wasn’t awake. I started resenting the pump and the process of feeding my daughter was stressful and overwhelming. I turned to formula after two weeks because my mental health was very affected. I wanted to breastfeed my baby so badly but there didn’t seem to be a way through. I knew that I needed my baby to be growing.

I had recently become an auntie and my nephew was 3 months old at the time. He was formula fed and he was thriving and beautiful and so happy - so I kept him in my mind every time I felt emotional about formula. He was perfect. And my baby would be perfect too.

The feeling of defeat lifted. Eventually. But years on I still wonder what I could’ve done different. Or better yet, what support I needed to be able to feed my baby the way I had so hoped for. For me, I believe ni**le shields would’ve worked for us. She has a very deep and high palate and I know now that she never would’ve been able to latch without something like that. At the time, I didn’t even know they existed - no midwife or doctor had suggested them. I was the first of my friends to have kids so no one had used them before me.

Feeding babies is a whole thing I never knew would be so hard. There’s challenges any way you feed your baby. There’s judgement and opinions BUT drown it out the best you can. If you are happy and your baby is happy that is ALL that matters.

If you are wanting support, or more information please contact me! I’ve got experience with many of the things re feeding. Whether you’re a formula feeding, breast feeding, pump feeding, mixed feeding or breast feeding with lip and tongue ties 😣 it’s hard work but with support things often feel easier.

You’re doing great, mama!

07/08/2025

This started as a post about “what things to expect late in your pregnancy” (i.e. going PAST 40 weeks in your pregnancy is very common and NORMAL and I will come back to this another time) turned into something else.

I saw two different posts on my feed about “losing baby weight after pregnancy” and “getting back to your previous body weight after pregnancy” and to write “blah blah” in comments to get a program sent to you etc.

The thing is, if we want to change the social pressure women feel about their bodies in general and especially after having a baby, it has to start with US as women. Both of these posts were created by women targeting other women.

I think it’s a beautiful thing to encourage one another when women feel good if this happens. But not in a way that wouldn’t make someone feel less worthy if they hadn’t lost their baby “weight” immediately. Body shame comes in so many different forms. And as women we need to take a breath before we speak and think about what we’re about to say.

I didn’t “lose” my baby weight for 18 months after my first baby, with my second and third I lost it faster but still, it took my body time. For me, after I had been through it once, there was less pressure and more focus on healing. I also came to realise that my stretch marks were there to stay after my first and my saggy belly that once grew those babies will be squishy.

Please, allow your body to heal before you pressure it to be a different way. It’s carried your baby for months. It’s grown a perfect little person from a tiny ball of cells. That’s incredible so you deserve to give yourself grace in this time and just be.

And truly, we are forever changed during this time. Physically and mentally. It’s okay to feel like you miss your old self, and it’s good to allow yourself time to sit with that feeling. There’s really a sense of grief sometimes missing your independence and that is a natural feeling too.

Let’s be kind to one another and allow each other the time to heal. If you hear someone is discouraged with their body, lift them up and remind them it takes time ✨

04/08/2025

Beautiful ladies,

A little reintroduction of myself as I dive back into this space ✨

One of the biggest changes since I started this Doula journey is welcoming our third little sunshine into the world - another darling girlie.

Grace is now 8, Felix is now 5 and little Lily is a 2 year old firecracker 🤪 she keeps me on my toes at.all.times.

We are located in a small town on the out skirts of the Barossa Valley, we love it here. It’s such a beautiful community, where we plan to stay for a lonnnnnng time. Until we are completely grey and have more wrinkles.

Having three children has taught me and is teaching me alllll the things. I love motherhood. I truly believe it’s my calling. BUT that doesn’t mean it isn’t hard. Self-doubt is my biggest critic. We’re all worried whether we’re doing okay hey?!

I studied midwifery for 18 months about 10 years ago and that taught me a lot. Although I stepped away from that path for a few different reasons - it did show me how much support new mothers should be able to ask for. We often don’t ask though, perhaps from a fear that we are failing but we need to trust the community we’ve built and allow them to step in and be confident they are on our side and will never be the ones to do anything but build us up!

I can’t wait to support you, mama! New mama, mama again. Whatever your journey is 🤍 thank you for being here.

If you’re interested in knowing more about my services please reach out! I’d love to chat with you!

01/08/2025

It’s been a little minute but there’s been a little flame ignited in my soul.

This statistic rattled me - it means that 58% of first time mothers are made to believe they require “assistance” to do something their bodies were made for. I am not at all, in any way ever shaming any mother for what was decided during their most vulnerable time. I am included in the 58%. So I can say from personal experience I believe I could’ve been better educated.

9 years ago when I was pregnant with my first baby there were no where near the amount of resources. Instagram was a different kinda place. No TikTok. Obviously there were online blogs but other than that my source of information was my care team at the hospital, my mom and What to Expect When You’re Expecting app.

I fully trusted my care team. Why would they not have my best interest in mind?! I’m not saying they didn’t, but it’s easy to see the gaps now from the outside of that experience.

If there’s a few things I’ve learned from having three babies:

🤍 educate yourself - find resources that speak to you and ask questions when things don’t feel right. You have that intuitive mind for a reason. Don’t get discouraged by the sass or the snarky replies. Your body. Your baby. Your responsibility to ask the questions.

🤍 make a birth plan. Write it down on paper. Or type it. If you’re having a hospital birth, stick it up on the door to be read before the doctors and midwives come into your room. Your space is sacred.

🤍 if anyone starts to discuss intervening with your birth, asking for alternative options to try is so powerful. I wish I had done this.

REMEMBER mamas, that you DO NOT have to feel guilty for asking questions about your own body and your baby. Autonomy does not mean you are putting your baby’s life at risk. That feeling of guilt sometimes comes from hospitals if you question anything.

There is a time and place when emergency intervention is necessary.

But that is not 58% of the time ✨

03/03/2023

I have my very own special news to share 🤍 baby #3 will be joining our family in July. Our morphology scan was a couple weeks ago so currently we are 21+5. I would love to share some details with you so far, incase you are in the same boat and want to know what your options are.
Before I was pregnant, during TTC, I queried with the GP at my local medical clinic about whether a VBA2C would be supported if I were to birth at the hospital here in our country town. This was immediately shut down. I was told I could very easily have an elected caesarean there but that essentially a VBA2C was a large risk for my baby and I needed to outweigh the benefits:risks. Which obviously would have been devastating to think that something I envisioned would put my baby at unnecessary risk. However, I had already been researching the statistics and had already been in touch with a private midwife to see what her advice was.
I explained to her what my wishes were, what had happened in my first birth as my second was an elected caesarean because I didn’t feel there was a lot of support for a VBAC then either etc.
She told me I was a perfect candidate for a VBA2C and there was no reason why I wouldn’t be able to have one given my history and how long I’ve had between my last caesarean and this birth (will be 3.5 years).
When I got pregnant, I knew what felt right. There was no guilt and no shame for what I wanted to achieve with my midwife. I have my fears, naturally, but those are met with such understanding support and positive advice on the fact that there’s no higher risk to my baby for having a VBA2C.
I will be birthing at Lyell McEwin Hospital, in their low risk birthing centre.
All this to say, don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself. I could’ve accepted the GP’s advice and settled for another caesarean, but I had done my own research and knew there was another option.
My midwife told me at my last appointment that’s she’s excited for my birth, as am I. Having that support is everything 💫

28/10/2022

Just your early Saturday morning reminder before you start your weekend.

Unless you want to, you don’t have to pass your baby around to anyone else. A lot of new mothers feel anxious about doing this but don’t feel comfortable saying “not right now”. You will never regret listening to your instinct or your baby’s cues. Chances are, they actually don’t want anyone else besides you mama ✨

19/08/2022

BONE BROTH

My sweet friend has recently shared with me some really big benefits to introducing homemade bone broth into her family’s diet. I’m jumping on this band wagon because both of my kids have some digestive issues/intolerances and 3+ years on we still have a lot of broken sleep in our home every night. Both my kids also currently have molluscum contagiosum which is a harmless skin virus but can last up to 18 months before clearing. Such a long time, right? Well in chatting to my friend, that is one of the reasons she even started chatting with one of her kids’ health professionals about the benefits of healing your gut and introducing bone broth is one of the first steps.

Anyway, all that to say, I had known bone broth itself is super beneficial during postpartum but had never really looked into the whys. It’s actually extremely nutritious for anyones diet, but especially during preconception, pregnancy and postpartum!

Bone broth is an ancient and very traditional tool used for postpartum recovery around the world.

It’s intensely dense in nutrients and holds collagen, gelatine and elastin which all help aid the recovery of joints, tendons and ligaments after birth. It’s rich in essential minerals such as iron, calcium and magnesium. And most simply rehydrates your body after birth and during breastfeeding among so many other benefits. It’s easily digestible and dairy-free so your new baby will have no issues benefiting from you introducing it into your diet. It’s actually been found to increase milk supply too!

Once it’s made you just add it into your cooking anytime you would add water or you can even add it to smoothies!

I made my first batch yesterday and can’t wait to see my family benefit from it 🤍 It was so easy and even if you’re a recovering mama, you can just literally throw everything in the slow cooker and walk away for hours!

09/07/2022

P L A C E N T A

The only organ you aren’t born with.

A multifunctional organ - supplying oxygen, filtering waste, delivers nutrients and antibodies.

The only disposable organ - your body literally grows from nothing and then disposes of when it’s done.

There are so many more amazing facts about a placenta. But how incredible is this? And how incredible are women 🤍

15/06/2022

How much pressure is put on our “due date”?!
C R A Z Y
The prediction of due dates relate back to a formula publicised by a MALE German obstetrician in 1812 🤔
Imagine if we literally just waited and monitored a baby and mother until the BABY was ready to be born 🤯 and if there were no inductions based on being impatient around a date nearing.
I know I was SO impatient. And it doesn’t help that by 40 weeks it’s sooooo uncomfortable and you’re just done that any talk of seeing that baby is like the sooner the better kinda deal. However, I do think back to both my births and can’t help but to wonder how different they may have turned out if I trusted my body and my baby to tell me when it was time. Instead of a formula that was based on a cycle that is a good 6/7 days off my true cycle.

Repeat after me: my body is my oldest ally ✨

07/06/2022

Why are values in birth so important?

Well, the definition of “values” speaks for itself really. But also, if your values aren’t met, not only through your journey into motherhood, but at any point in your life, a traumatic response can be triggered.

Our values not being met can be detrimental for our mental health.

So let’s talk about your values. First and foremost and let’s make sure those values are yours, and not ones you’ve picked up along the way.

Sometimes we use other people’s values unintentionally, assuming they’re important to us as well.

So let’s make sure your values are…YOURS ✨

Have you ever thought about what you value?

18/05/2022

The newborn days are so raw and really feels like riding a roller coaster, physically and mentally. You’re healing, you’re tired, you’re so grateful, you’re happy, you’re so in love and the list could go on and on.

There come moments or days sometimes when you just don’t feel like you know your baby. Things felt like they were getting easier and then there’s an afternoon or a witching hour where they scream and nothing soothes them. Maybe milk for a split second it feels like, but immediately after they’re upset again.

You may not need to hear this, but you may - it’s absolutely fine to pop your baby down somewhere safe and walk away for a minute or even three. Even if they’re upset. Even if they keep crying (which they probably will). They will be ok. It’s ok to go to the toilet. Or to give yourself a couple of minutes to breathe and regroup. It can actually be better for you to take this moment if you feel yourself getting upset or frustrated.

And when you’re ready, you go back and try again.

Give yourself permission to breathe to attend to your needs as well. This doesn’t make you a bad parent.

They will be safe. And they will be ok ✨

Doula of Dawn

27/08/2025

15/08/2025

07/08/2025

04/08/2025

01/08/2025

03/03/2023

28/10/2022

19/08/2022

09/07/2022

15/06/2022

07/06/2022

18/05/2022

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