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Atang The Doula, Johannesburg (2025)

24/02/2023

💔 I used to pass this place as a varsity student in a taxi and dream of the day I would be able to bring my children into the world. Ten years later not only did I have the pleasure of having my first child there, but it also awakened a part of me I never knew existed. This place is not only where I became a mother, I became also became a doula. This is where I saw first hand what an amazing experience birth centres can hold and teach ❤️ Thank you to all the staff that have graced that place with so much love and support for those birthing there. Special shout out to ❤️

08/02/2023

This is more about what I should have learnt in my pregnancy than what happened during.

My contractions started the night before giving birth. It felt like I was having period pains with lots of pressure. The next evening started, and it was clear the baby was coming soon. I struggled to keep calm and breathe as each wave hit me. When we eventually arrived at the birthing centre, my midwife tried to help me breathe deeper. Once my doula came in, she calmed my breathing, immediately reducing my panic and pain. At these moments, that's when I realised why it's so important to take breathing classes.

No one could have convinced me that I didn't know how to breathe, but that was the case when I was in labour. I look back and wish I had known better. I would have taken a breathing class, pregnancy yoga and an antenatal class (although this was interrupted by the pandemic).

My advice, take the classes. If you have doubts, ask those that have taken them why they were so helpful so that you can make an informed decision. Get a doula who can teach you and recommend other practitioners to help you. This all adds to the positive (not perfect) birthing experience you deserve.

Disclaimer: This is a personal opinion based on my experience(s)

07/02/2023

Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) that's what it's called when you can't keep any food or liquid down and all you do is vomit or constantly feel nauseous. Although I suspected it might happen to me because my mother suffered from the same thing, I never thought it would be to this degree. What shocked me was that the doctors I saw and my gynaecologist all said the same thing. "You're baby is fine. You're okay. "This is usually just a sign of a strong pregnancy." You can imagine the disbelief I felt as a first-time pregnant woman.

Although alerting my doctor, seeking and receiving understanding about the process, and constantly surrendering myself to trusting the process helped in finding some peace I realise that had I had a doula and a pregnancy support group to help support me emotionally, that part of the journey wouldn't have felt so lonely and scary. If you find yourself in this position, please reach out to people and circles trained and experienced in pregnancy and birth. Try new things like pregnancy yoga if you haven't, and keep an open mind and a spirit of learning. You've got this mama (and papa).

06/02/2023

In light of Pregnancy Awareness Week starting today, I wanted to share a few things that surprised me during my pregnancy. These made me realise there's so much about being pregnant that I was still yet to know, embrace, and be continuously surprised by.

Always remember that pregnancy, although universal, is unique to everyone. Go for your ante-natal appointments, seek clarification and advice from your healthcare provider, get a doula, know your rights and remain educated about issues that promote healthy pregnancy and safe motherhood.

27/03/2022

DOULAS MAKE A DIFFERENCE: POSTPARTUM

In my Setswana culture, the postpartum period is called ‘Botsetsi’. During this time, your mother or a close maternal figure who has gone through the process herself takes care of you and your baby. This is to make sure that your body, mind, and spirit recover from birth.

This kind of support is critical to making sure that you are taken care of so you can nurse your newborn. This period is sacred. You and your child develop a rhythm, heal, grow and create a lifelong bond.

Unfortunately, a lot of women go without the help of a maternal figure during this time and having a postpartum doula could make all the difference. Your doula will make sure that you have the support you need to heal and learn how to:

- breastfeed
- take care of your newborn
- soothe and bond with your baby
- get comfortable post-birth

One of the greatest things you can gift yourself, a new mom, or a mom-to-be is the service of a postpartum doula.

26/03/2022

DOULAS MAKE A DIFFERENCE: LACTATION

After my daughter was born, I did some skin-to-skin with her, and then my husband took over while I cleaned up. My doula then assisted me with getting breastfeeding going. She showed me how to sit, how to position my baby and she watched us as we learned how to latch. You have no idea how much that helped.

It’s weird how unnatural breastfeeding felt the first few times. I remember telling my girlfriends how both my daughter and I had to learn, together, how to breastfeed. I’m happy to report that I’ve been breastfeeding for just under two years now.

Having my doula initiate skin-to-skin immediately after birth and then coach me on how to get comfortable with breastfeeding made a massive difference. I’m grateful for her care in the first few hours of my motherhood journey. I feel blessed that her support during those first few hours has helped me be able to provide for my daughter in a way that no one else can.

25/03/2022

DOULAS MAKE A DIFFERENCE: PARTNERS

Day 4: How do doulas make a difference to your partner?

Whether you’re a first-time parent or not, it’s difficult describing to your partner what you’re going through during pregnancy. I know how frustrating and confusing this can be for our partners. It’s not easy trying to support someone when you’re not sure how to.

That’s where I come in as a doula. I do routine check-ins with your partner to find out how he’s doing and to see if he has any concerns. I use my knowledge of birth to support you and empower your partner, helping him stay calm and present so you can savour these precious moments together.

24/03/2022

DOULAS MAKE A DIFFERENCE: LABOR & BIRTH

It’s Day 2 of World Doula Week! I wanted to share my first-hand experience of the magic a doula brings to your labor and birth.

I was home in bed when my contractions started and I tried to sleep it off in the early hours of the morning. After sunrise, I updated my midwife and she told me to stay home and rest until my contractions were regular. That evening, after huffing and puffing on my birth ball all day, I told my husband that I was ready to go to the hospital. Let me tell you something, I didn’t know that breathing was a skill until my doula walked into the birthing room. I didn’t have the pleasure of meeting her before but I trusted her as she came highly recommended by my lovely midwife .

I was in so much pain when I got to the hospital and I was shattered when my midwife told me that I was only 2 cm dilated. My midwife wasn’t phased and she let my doula work her magic. My doula’s calm demeanor took over. She coached me through breathing exercises, walked with me, put me in the dilation station a.k.a. made me sit over the toilet (this opens and relaxes your pelvis beautifully). Within an hour and a half, I was in active labor. I got into the birthing tub, and after 45 minutes, my beautiful baby girl was born.

If you ask my husband, the birthing experience was quiet and calm. I don’t know how I would have managed to give birth so gracefully had it not been for my doula. It's for that reason that I decided to become a doula. It’s an honor and absolute pleasure to give such peace, support, and care to women as they bring new life into this world.

23/03/2022

DOULAS MAKE A DIFFERENCE: PREGNANCY

As a doula, I take care of your emotionally and physically through your pregnancy. I will show you physical and breathing exercises that will assist you in pain management during labour and birth as well as help you make sense of the changes that are happening in your body. I know how quick your prenatal appointments can feel and help bridge that gap by answering some questions you may have. I’m a shoulder to cry on and a confidant you can rely on through your journey to motherhood when you feel no one gets it. Ultimately, I want you to be prepared emotionally and physically so that you can experience the birth of your child as positively as possible, no matter the outcome.

22/03/2022

Helping woman go through pregnancy, birth and “Botsetsi” without missing a beat from their passions, responsibilities, career growth and life aspirations ❤️

08/02/2022

The research available shows that having a Doula could reduce your labour by 25%. A Doula's knowledge of the physiology of birth and the support a Doula gives to you emotionally and physically allows your body and mind to be in an optimal state for the progression of labour.

04/02/2022

Oxytocin is a natural hormone produced in your body. It is referred to as the love hormone as it's the hormone produced when you fall in love and have an or**sm. It also plays a pivotal role in the bonding between mother and child. During labour, its production is what makes your uterus contract.

A doula will support and guide you in using natural ways of encouraging the progress of your labour. These stimulate your body's production of oxytocin. Some disadvantages or risks of using synthetic oxytocin that you must be aware of include:

- contractions are more painful
- there is an increase in your baby developing jaundice after birth
- can cause foetal distress due to lack of oxygen
- it may cause reduced sensitivity to natural levels of oxytocin released in response to suckling by your baby and lead to difficulties with breastfeeding

02/02/2022

A C-section is a major abdominal operation that carries a risk of infection, doubles the rate of maternal mortality and increases the chance of separation between you and your baby post-birth. Having continuous support from a Doula reduces your chances of a C-section birth by 50%. Isn't that amazing?

01/02/2022

Although the concept of a doula isn't new to society, documented research of the value is. In the next few posts, I'll be sharing with you the various research-backed benefits of having a doula give you. So stay tuned and be sure to save and share these benefits.

21/01/2022

One of the primary roles of a Doula is to provide you with information that will allow you to make informed decisions about your care in pregnancy and birth. This information forms part of the driving force for the pregnancy and birth care that aligns with who you are and your values, and ultimately the experience YOU want with YOUR RULES. Here are a few rights that pregnant women in South Africa need to know:
- The right to choose a companion who will support you during pregnancy and childbirth
- Who will accompany you to the antenatal care clinic as well as when you go into labour
- The right to be treated with respect, dignity and confidentiality
- The right to ask questions and also get an explanation about your condition.

Do you know some of these rights? Are there rights or information you didn't know before becoming pregnant or giving birth that you wish someone had told you?

20/01/2022

If you could go back in time, what would you tell your younger self? Let me know in the comments below.

Hi, I'm Atang the Doula and I would say to my younger self, 'One day you'll wake up and you'll be living the life you prayed for.'

Mother. Wife. DOULA!

Atang The Doula

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