I am a birth and postnatal doula (a trained birth companion and supporter after birth) who moved from England, UK to Wellington, NZ in 2002. Doulas are fairly unknown of here in NZ, however, before my babies arrived, I worked postnatally within the Wellington community and hope to support at births again in the future when family life allows and when there are other doulas to provide back-up for me.
Whilst in the UK I was fortunate enough to meet up with a lovely group of like-minded doulas and together we set up a network of doulas - called "Doula UK" - see www.doula.org.uk. It is good to still be in touch with this network, even from this far away (such is the power of the internet!) because I am fairly isolated now from other doulas. However, I have met some wonderful midwives here in Wellington, who have been very encouraging to me.
Back in London I worked voluntarily with women from Holloway Prison who were facing pregnancy and childbirth whilst serving their sentences/on remand (see www.birthcompanions.org.uk).
I used to attend the infant massage sessions within the prison and was inspired to become a qualified infant massage instructor myself, so I trained with the International Association of Infant Massage (IAIM) in London (see www.iaim.net). IAIM has chapters all over the world in more than 30 countries and I was fortunate that there is a NZ one (based in Auckland - see www.nz.iaim.net) so I have been able to meet up with other infant massage instructors. I offer group and private infant massage courses.
In November 2004, I gave birth at home, in water, to my first child, Zoe, using calmbirth® techniques and with the wonderful support of my two homebirth midwives and my husband, Graham.
In 2006 I became involved with Simply Birth in Australia who gained the distribution rights for the wonderful La Bassine birth pool. In order to improve the possibility of women birthing their babies in water at home, I was inspired (read persuaded!!) to distribute the pool here in Wellington and nationwide.
At the beginning of 2007 I began my training to become a calmbirth® practitioner and I qualified in September 2008.
I used the calmbirth® techniques once again to birth my second daughter, Phoebe, who was born in water at home at the end of January 2009, after another very gentle, and relaxed labour.
Since the birth of my girls, I have been less able to do doula work or take infant massage classes, but will do so again when time and family life allows. However, I am continuing to hire and sell La Bassine birth pools and I have been facilitating regular calmbirth® courses since May 2009.
I am very excited about this part of my journey as it has really brought together everything that I have learned and experienced since starting out as a doula.
Find out more about calmbirth® or visit the Birth Store to book a place on one of the upcoming courses.
We both cannot thank you enough for what we got out of the classes with
you. Still practicing the skills and breathing to cope with the rellies!
1st time parents, N&N, Wellington
We feel energised and positive about the birthing process thanks to the
knowledge and skills we learned in the calmbirth® classes.
1st time parents, R&A, Wellington
I loved Vida's enthusiasm and passion for the techniques and empowering parents to embrace the teachings and their own learning.
1st time parents, A&U, Wellington
To take a closer look and buy pools, fitted liners and accessories, please visit the Birth Store.
An official NZ distributor for Orgasmic Birth DVD, featuring a home birth in Wellington.
