Doula

As a certified doula with DONA International, I serve families in Berlin and online. My support is available as single sessions, in pregnancy and/or postpartum, or also grouped in a package when I attend birth.

My offerings include prenatal and postnatal yoga Präventionskurse (reimbursed by health insurance). My experience as a doula has been amplified and deepened as a facilitator at mothers’ and parents’ circles, in weekly groups that supports new and future parents in Berlin free of charge (supported by public funding).

How do we start?

Schedule a first call, free of charge, to discuss your specific needs. You can find below a longer description of the services I offer.

What to expect

My main intention is protecting the birthing person’s experience of this key event in their life by making them feel witnessed, heard, respected, cared-for and informed to make decisions.
Satisfaction level after birth is not linked to outcome, but to sense of agency.
Welcoming a new life, from pregnancy until birth and the postpartum time, is a miracle. I am devoted to protect this deeper meaning and to make sure that a person going through this process remains connected to their sense of agency and feminine empowerment.
May we recognise in wonder the miracle of life.
Part of my work is dedicated to community: building our “village”, becoming familiar with the human challenges of pregnancy, birth and parenthood is at the heart of the circles for mothers and parents I facilitate.
Confidence is doing your best for what you can control, trust is knowing that you already know and are ready.

Pregnancy, birth and postpartum doula practice

I work with some families only in pregnancy, with others only during the postpartum period, and with others I am present through pregnancy, birth and postpartum.

Prenatal meetings

Exploring the family’s needs, wishes and fears around birth, and discussing evidence-based information to prepare birth preferences, sometimes writing the birth plan.
Practicing positions, movements and breathing techniques for pregnancy and labour, also drawing from my experience as a prenatal yoga teacher.
Encouraging baby’s optimal positioning with massage and fascia touch (the basic principle of Spinning Babies ®).
Relaxation, touch and techniques to help with intensity and progress in labour (counterpressure, acupressure, rebozo, sound, visualisations). This may include preparing the partner to provide support.
Blessingway ceremonies with elements of the shamanic tradition, when a family is preparing to spiritually welcome their baby and the changes that are ahead.

When I attend birth

Unlimited phone and email consultations for questions and support.
On-call status from two weeks before the estimated due date, with arrangements for a back-up doula.
Companionship during labour, at home and/or at the place of birth.

Immediate postpartum support at the place of birth.

Postnatal meetings

Debriefing the experience of birth and answering any remaining questions. This could take place in the days immediately after birth, or much later.
Caring for the mother’s emotional and physical recovery. This can include fascia touch to release tension from the body, and massage starting from 15 days after birth.
Additional support may include light housekeeping, meal preparation, baby care, and whatever is needed for the family.
Starting from 40-60 days after birth, postnatal movement and breathing (adapted from my practice of yoga).
Physically and symbolically finding centre with a rebozo “closing the bones” ceremony, from 40/60 days after birth. This ritual is considered in many cultures the start of a new period and chapter.