I recently came across a seemingly new service. Most of us know Doula’s can help you through the pregnancy and birth process but what happens after your baby is born? Some people need extra help, some people don’t have any help at all.
I first noticed Karley’s business. Nurtured By Karley about a month ago. In a nutshell she will help look after you to after you have arrived home with your new baby. As newborn photographer for clients in Oran Park and surrounds I am constantly on the look out for additional services that may be of some use. This service would have been of great value to me when I had my first. I didn’t have any help at all once Hubby went back to work. Something small like having a meal cooked, groceries delivered or even just someone to look after my new baby while I had a nice, hot shower would have been amazing!
Check out Karley’s latest blog post below and you will also find a link to her website below if you wish to chat more with her.
My pregnancy, birth and postpartum was the most transformative experience of my life.
I had always yearned to be a mother. I was that little girl putting pillows up my dress to create a ‘baby bump’. Always wrapping up my babies and pushing a pram around the backyard.
I worked with children for several years in a day care before becoming pregnant. I LOVED being able to care and nurture the children in my care.
“You will be the best Mum”,
“You are going be amazing at motherhood”. I was praised.
Being pregnant, feeling life grow within my womb was such a beautiful sensation. I remember laying awake at night feeling my baby move. Imaging what life would be like to have my baby earthside. I meditated. I read Ina May Gaskins ‘Spiritual Midwifery’ cover to cover several times, I researched stages of labour, active birthing positions, I asked my midwife a long list of questions each visit and was empowered to make decisions. My husband Luke and I attended a ‘Calmbirth’ workshop. I was ready to experience birth with an open heart.
“I had such a terrible birth” I was told.
“Good luck with that!” was the response I received after sharing my desire to experience a medication/intervention free water birth.
I experienced an empowering medication/intervention free water birth. I was on that much of an oxytocin high I happily welcomed visitors into our home from day 1. Visitors for 2 weeks straight.
“Aren’t you lucky” was the response I received when sharing my birth story.
“I didn’t have enough milk so I just gave them the bottle” I was told while settling my fussy baby after a breastfeed.
Once the visitors left I felt alone. The walls become higher and the cries of my first born became louder. My old self became further away. I felt ashamed of feeling unhappy with newborn life. I felt ungrateful for experiencing a ‘bad day’. I was meant to be “The best Mum” and be “amazing at motherhood”. What I was experiencing was far from the expectation.
My mother’s group and close friends with children were my happy place. I wasn’t alone. The more I was honest with my experience the more I realized that I wasn’t alone. I was nurtured by the mothers around me. I still am.
My first born gave me a wealth of experience. Experience as a women and a mother. My first born celebrated her 3rd birthday yesterday. I am 3 years into my mothering journey.
I have chosen to be a doula to fill the gap. From my experience there is a lack of positive conversations around birth. Lack of positive support during postpartum and lack of community for mothers. I have chosen to be a doula to fill the gaps and provide a positive support for women during their transition and journey through motherhood.
