Rachael Boterhoven - Photographer

14/02/2023

CALLING ALL PREGNANT MUMMAS 30WKS +

22/01/2023

12/10/2022

https://vickihobbs.com/vbac-workshop-for-couples-in-perth-with-dr-hazel-keedle/

Vicki Hobbs from Back to Basics Birthing is proud to be hosting Dr Hazel Keedle with her VBAC Workshop for Couples planning their next birth after caesarean. Dr Hazel Keedle is a Lecturer of Midwifery and completed her PhD in 2021 at Western Sydney University, Australia. Hazel has more than 25 ...

05/10/2022

If you're a new mum, a mum-to-be, or a mum-to-be-again, you don't have to feel alone. The first few weeks of having a newborn can be very emotional for many reasons and I just want you to know that I see you, I hear you, I feel you, and I am here to support and hold you if you need me.

If you would like to know more about me, plesse head to my website linked in my bio ☺️

07/09/2022

Labour Day 💫

In the lead up to my 'due date' I made sure my birth pool was ready, my affirmations were up, the birth room was calm, pretty and waiting.

What I didn't anticipate was the fact that I couldn't or wouldn't leave my bedroom until a few minutes before the birth.

When contractions started, I was on the floor between the wall and my bed in a safe little nook. This is where my body felt safe.

Moving to the birthing room didn't even cross my mind, and the only place I moved to was to the toilet and back to my bedroom.

My doula .thedoula noticed that I had started pushing when I was on my bedroom floor and quickly checked with my CMP midwife if the pool was ready for me. (Everything was so quick the pool was still being filled which I didn't even realise).

So off I went in to the beautiful room that I had planned to labour and birth in, and hopped in the water and within 10 minutes my baby girl was earthside.

My body knew where it was safe and knew what to do. Not a moment crossed my mind of uncertainty or doubt. I felt safe, calm and ready with the support around me and listened to my body.

Tip: when birthing at home, always prepare other area's of your home for the potential labour and birth of your baby because your body will know where it feel safe despite the rooms that have been set up 💫

Beautiful photo by .capturingbirth

02/09/2022

Happy Friday 😀

I just wanted to jump on and share my website link as I have been working on it and making the information more current. So if you haven't already - please check it out and pass the link on to anyone who you might think may benefit from having a postpartum doula.
Much love, Rach xo

Hello there, welcome to my page, and congratulations for making it this far in what could soon be one of the most positive and beneficial decisions in your pregnancy and birthing journey!A little bit about me. My name is Rachael, I was born and raised in Perth, WA. I am a wife, a mother to three gi...

26/07/2022

Postpartum Support, also known as Fourth Trimester Support, and why I believe it is important 👇

I believe that regardless of being a first time mum, or a fourth time mum, you become a new mum each time you birth and/or prepare to birth. For mothers who already have children, you may be anxious about how you may divide your time or how your child/ren may adjust when the baby arrives.
Or maybe the way your birth plan is going may be deviating from how you invisioned it to be at the beginning. There are so many scenarios and factors to consider when preparing to bring a new tiny human in to the world and I just want to help make that transition easier and calmer for YOU.

In my Fourth Trimester Support Package, I offer 1x postpartum support planning session which is where we can talk about previous birth stories, past traumas, fears, hopes, relationships and how you want to feel during your fourth trimester, for I am YOUR BIRTH COMPANION.

Following the birth, we have 5x postnatal sessions which are spread across the first 12wks.
During these visits, this is your time to debrief your birth story, to ask questions, for me to help fill in the gaps, to find additional support if needed. My main focus here is YOU - and your mental status. If you want me to sit with you and hold the baby whilst you shower, that is fine, to make you a tea so you can drink it whilst it's hot, I got you. To do puzzles or activities with your other children, walk the dog, put the washing on or stack the dishwasher (I take dishwasher stacking seriously) then that is what I'll do.
My goal and hopes is to support you mentally, emotionally and physically, whatever you need me for, I will show up, and when I do show up, I will do with yummy extras in hand 🍩.

Sometimes just knowing that extra support is lined up for you and is already 'booked' in, takes the ease out of feeling the need to ask for help when you're not up for visitors, bottling things up or are just bad at accepting help when offered. All your feelings, emotions and reasons are valid - and I am hear to listen 🌼

Taking fourth trimester clients now ----> head to my website for more 🤗

📷 of the stunning

13/06/2022

https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSdnaQ8h9/?k=1

Proof your body knows, and is capable of what it is made to do. Listen to your body and dont be pushed in to doing things you dont feel comfortable with. Perfect example here.

Pushed for 13 mins 😭 + only came out with a second degree tear 👏🏼

03/02/2022

Let's talk Positions, Let's talk Gravity👐

Just because you may be birthing in a hospital, it does not confine you to the bed, or to be on your back.

Just because you might have multiple monitoring equipment such as a pulse oximeter, blood pressure cuff or CTG, does not confine you to the bed or to be on your back.

Just because you might be hooked up to an IV drip, does not confine you to the bed.

Especially for first time mothers, entering a birth suite can be very daunting. When equipment is being attached, you may feel as though you've become trapped.

You need to find your voice. There are a number of ways around monitoring, and majority of the equipment are on wheels, which mean, they can move with you!

Laying flat on your back is not only known to slow progress, but it can promote more pain.

If you are unable to walk around, sit on a fitball, or get to the ground, then do this 👆. Beds also move! Find what is comfortable for you, play with the buttons. Gravity is your friend in labour and in birth 💫 Also, why having a doula is great 😉