Gentle Lotus Doula

22/03/2024

I've seen the need for hospital bag checklists and I've answered the call. 

I have created a hospital bag checklist as well as a homebirth and freebirth checklist. 

Comment below or message me today telling me where you plan to birth to get your free checklist or if you're still exploring options I can send all 3!

Birth doula supporting women in the Albury/Wodonga Region and Surrounds

08/03/2024

A recent review on Gentle Lotus Doula's Energy Clearing Spray

"This spray is amazing 🙌  I could easily use the whole bottle in a couple of days, I just keep spraying it!"

The Energy Clearing Spray is available in the online store (link to website in bio). You'll also find other sprays and products to help create a beautiful birth space at home or at the hospital ✨️

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23/02/2024

Doulas aren't magicians, we cannot make pain disappear. However, we can provide tools and techniques to make the pain manageable.

You do not have to be one of my clients to hire equipment. For hire:
🪷 ELLE TENS 2
🪷 Birth Sling
🪷 Comfortable Upright Birth Support (CUB)
🪷 Birth Ball & Peanut Ball

I have for sale birth combs and affirmation cards that you can use over and over for subsequent births or pass on to a fellow woman.

Hypnobirthing Australia's Positive Birth Course is the number one Hypnobirthing Childbirth Education Course in Australia 🇦🇺 It will provide you with so many techniques to ease your discomfort during labour and birth as well as alleviate any fear you may be holding around childbirth. And guess what!!! I am Albury/Wodonga & Surrounds Hypnobirthing Practitioner so message today to find out more or book in with me ❤️

07/02/2024

Ive been a little quiet on here lately as I have been soaking up all the newborn goodness while I can 💕 

Just a reminder I have the Elle TENS 2 machine for hire as well as a birth sling, peanut ball and birth ball. 

I am also taking bookings for the rest of the year and so excited to welcome the babies of 2024 Earthside 🌏

Hypnobirthing classes are up and running, message me today to secure your spot 

Stevie 

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and birth

14/01/2024

Recently I was contacted by 7NEWS Melbourne to talk about why I chose to freebirth and why I support women in freebirth as a doula.

I chose to birth at home with only my husband and I present for a number of reasons. The option of homebirthing with a midwife present is very costly so our options came down to a hospital birth or a freebirth and as I had absolutely no desire to birth in the hospital we decided to freebirth.
Would I do it again? F**k yes I would do it again.
Unnecessary induction and interventions was something I wished to avoid and I didnt feel that would be possible if I entered the system. I have a history of healthy pregnancies and smooth labour and births so I had absolute faith in my body and baby's ability to birth. I trust the birth process as does my husband who is the only support person I need.

I understand freebirthing is not for everyone and that is ok but for some women it feels like their only option due to previous obstetric violence, cost of homebirthing with a midwife, whatever the reason may be they just do not feel safe in the system.

I also understand there are risks to freebirthing but there are also risks to birthing in a hospital setting.

If you have a healthy pregnancy, are well informed and educated and have confidence in your body and the birth process and choose to freebirth, I 100% support your decision girl! ❤️

Want to talk freebirth? Lets talk freebirth! Message me today

05/01/2024

HYPNOBIRTHING has hit the border!!!

Wayyyyy back in August I posted that something was coming.... well that something is here and it's Hypnobirthing Australia

I completed the training and am now a qualified Hypnobirthing Australia Practitioner.
I cannot wait to teach mums and couples of the border region the positive birth program ☺️

Message me today to secure your spot! Or book a private one-on-one session in the comfort of your own home. Online options also available

www.gentlelotusdoula.com.au/hypnobirthing/

20/12/2023

It's never too soon and it's never too late to hire a doula. There is no right or wrong time.

A doula is an asset to your birth team.

If you're considering hiring a doula or would like to know more about what I do, message me for a chat :)

15/12/2023

Freebirth 💕

Since posting about my recent freebirth, I have received a few messages asking what exactly is a freebirth. 

If you google 'freebirth', you will find a few different definitions. I, and many others, define a freebirth as a physiological birth without any medical intervention or medically trained persons present. For example, only the labouring woman and her partner are present for labour and birth.

Some people will only classify your birth as a freebirth if no one else is present, just the labouring woman on her own. 

I guess you can choose whichever definition resonates with you most. 

Is freebirthing legal? 

Freebirthing in Australia is legal. However, you will find it is not widely socially/culturely accepted here in the Western world, so be prepared to hold your ground on your freebirth and wild pregnancy decisions. A wild pregnancy is a pregnancy with no check ups, ultrasounds, medical interventions/testing, etc.

Sadly, many women are made to feel guilty and as though they have to justify why they're choosing to birth out of the system. It's our body, our baby, our decision.

If you are considering a freebirth, there are many resources out there for support and information, including numerous Facebook groups where you can connect and seek support from like-minded women.
& are great sources of information and there are heaps of podcasts to listen to as well.
Being a freebirthing mumma myself, I am also more than happy to answer questions or point you in the right direction.

Freebirth isn't for everyone but it is your choice and I support freebirth.

28/11/2023

POSTPARTUM

I'm writing this in the early stages of my own postpartum journey in the hopes that I can help at least one other mother out there ❤️

This is not the postpartum I envisioned for myself, not even close. I dreamed of a postpartum period filled with ample rest/time in bed cuddling my newborn, warm nourishing food to replenish my body, healing herbs, moxibustion and ceremony.

But due to a lack of preparation on my part, 3 young kids and bills that need to be paid, my postpartum is looking very different.

This post is not for a pity party but to reiterate how often the postpartum period is overlooked in Western cultures.

The postpartum period is a crucial time for bonding, nurturing and healing. You've just given birth to a beautiful baby and you've also been reborn as a mother, this takes time to adjust to. Sadly, most women, for a number of reasons, miss out on this all important postpartum care and nurturing.

So, I have an offering for all those expecting mothers out there....... $100 off postpartum only packages for next year if you book between now and 31st December.
If you're unsure of what a doula can do for you during your postpartum, message me for more information and keep in mind that all postpartum care is tailored to yours and your baby's needs.
Payment plans available.

Dreaming of a beautiful relaxed postpartum period? Contact me and let's work together to make that dream come true ✨️

25/11/2023

In the early hours on the 22nd, I birthed a little baby girl into the world 💕

It was a beautiful, calm, undisturbed birth with only my husband and I present.

01/11/2023

Our due month has arrived 🤰

Now is the time for me to go inward and really focus on myself and my baby as we near the entrance to the birth portal and prepare for this beautiful journey together ✨️

I am not going completely off grid, but I will be less active on social media and a little slower to respond.

During this time, I am still offering hire of birth tools, including a TENS Machine. Just message for available dates :)

I have bookings available next year from March onwards, so if you're expecting and would like to add a doula to your birth team, again, please message and let's chat 😊

Stevie
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27/10/2023

A quote from Dr. Rachel Reed's book Reclaiming Childbirth as a Rite of Passage: Weaving Ancient Wisdom with Modern Knowledge.

Induction is induction, whether medical or natural. I know the last few weeks of pregnancy are draining and you're eager to meet your little one (trust me, I'm in that stage myself right now) but baby will make its entrance Earthside when it's ready 🌏 Your baby and body are in communication and they will signal when the time is right ✨️









Trust the process Mumma 🙏 Madam Birthtime knows what she's doing ❤️

For more info or to discuss your options, contact me today 😊

19/10/2023

Let's talk supplements

Every woman's supplemental regime will look a little different and it will also differ from trimester to trimester. 🤰

But here is a general overview to kick start your vitamin and mineral intake. With this information you may also make changes to your diet to increase certain vitamins or minerals, rather than taking man made supplements.

In the first trimester it is generally recommended that you don't take anything except Elevit (if you choose to that is and ai advuse you to research Elevit) or folic acid (refer to my previous post on folic acid). Women experiencing morning sickness may try magnesium, B vitamins and/or ginger to relieve nausea.

In the second trimester you may introduce a range of supplements or just one or 2, depending on your needs.

Trimester 3 is also dependent on yours and your babies needs but calcium, Omega 3 DHA (fish oil) and iron are pretty standard supplements during this time.

I recommend Forgaed For You to everyone I know! It is magic and contains ingredients you would maybe not expect but you and your baby will definitely reap the benefits.

Magnesium- can boost mood, help with sleep and cramping too
Calcium- essential for bone development which heightens in the third trimester
Iron- babies take more iron from you in the third trimester
Vitamin C- aids in iron absorption and healthy immune system
Omega 3 DHA- excellent for babies brain and eye development
B vitamins- critical in babies brain, eye and nervous system development
Zinc- important for cell growth

There are many others as well but this is a quick overview.
I suggest seeing a naturopath to help you put together an Individualised regime that's right for you and your baby.

If you're unsure on where to start with finding a naturopath or which vitamins to start taking, contact me for a chat today :) 💕

16/10/2023

Head over to my instagram to check out my newest post all about colostrum. Facebook won't allow the image I have chosen to accompany the words. It's just a b**b!

13/10/2023

I struggled to find the words to fully express my appreciation for this amazing plant medicine

12/10/2023

Rainy day, all 3 kids asleep, what to do?

Clean the house... nah
Fold washing.... nah
Make phone calls.... nah

How about find the comfiest clothes you own, do some prenatal yoga, light some candles, get your favourite crystals out, get your sound bowl, make a cacao and sit and meditate... YES!!

This is what my self care looked like today and it was absolute bliss ❤️ listening to the rain and the crackle of the candles and feeling my baby communicating with me from inside the womb ✨️ just magic

What did your self care look like today? Cup of tea and a book? Self pleasure? A nap? Cheeky chocolate bar? Massage? Meditation? Engaging with your doula?

# prenatalyoga

11/10/2023

Here's something I learnt yesterday

07/10/2023

We have a winner!!

Our winner has been contacted and wishes to remain anonymous.

Thank you to everyone who entered and liked and shared