We will create a continual and supportive relationship with you and your family to provide antenatal, birthing and postnatal care and support.

        baby
Source of Support provides services across the entire Melbourne area.

What is a Doula?


“Doula” is a Greek word referring to an experienced woman who helps other women during childbirth. The word has come to mean a woman experienced in childbirth who provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to the mother before, during, and just after childbirth.

Studies have shown that with Doula support you can:

  • Reduce caesarean rates by up to 50%
  • Reduce labour times by 25%
  • Reduce epidural requests by 60%
  • Reduce use of analgesia by 30%
  • Reduce forceps delivery by 40%
  • Decrease post-partum depression
  • Increase maternal satisfaction with the birth experience

Excerpts from ‘Mothering the Mother – how a Doula can help you have a shorter, easier and healthier birth’ by MH Klaus, JH Kennell and PH Klaus (1993)

What can your SOS team do for you?

ANTENATAL:

  • Provide a range of 'Birth Preparation' classes.
  • Arrange meetings with your Doula to discuss – birth options, birth plan, any issues or concerns.
  • Offer early breastfeeding education
  • We can be available to you, via telephone, or email, throughout your pregnancy.
  • We can attend and provide moral support at doctor/hospital appointments.

BIRTH:

  • Your Doula can provide continuous emotional and physical support from early labour for mothers and partners.
  • Suggest non-medical comfort techniques and pain management strategies throughout labour.
  • Advocate your wishes on your behalf if you are unable to do so.
  • Remain with you at your chosen birthplace until after your baby's birth and breastfeeding is established.
  • If desired by you, will photograph labour and provide a recorded history of the birth events

POSTNATAL:

  • Offer parenting skills education.
  • Provide private lactation visits.
  • Visit you postnatally, at the hospital and upon your return home to 'debrief' after the birth.
  • Offer Reiki Healing sessions and Bowens massage sessions by qualified professionals.


Giving birth to your child can only be done once. Our experienced Source of Support team can assist you and your partner to achieve the birth outcome you desire as obliging and cooperative members of your labour team.