Nominee for Daddy Doula Award 2020

My husband, Will

Why do you feel this Daddy Doula deserves the award?

Will actively supported me during the entire pregnancy (even joining into my prenatal Pilates classes, daily walks, doing acupressure, singing and talking to our baby in utero, and doing birth visualisations). When my waters broke in the morning, he immediately leapt out of bed and made us breakfast in preparation for a long day. After arriving at the birthing suite, Will put on a playlist of music he had carefully compiled and a diffuser of essential oils. During the birth, Will was literally my rock, taking my body weight while I rested in between surges and giving me coconut water. Will was calm, encouraging, and did not leave my side the whole labour. After the birth, Will did skin to skin with our daughter. The strength of the daddy-daughter bond is incredible.

Describe your birth experience in 3 words:

Rhythmic, focused, beautiful.

How did you prepare for birth?

She Births® course, meditation, writing a birth script and read it each day, Will and I did a visualisation each night for the last couple of weeks up to the birth, prenatal Pilates, daily walk.

How did you bring your baby into the world?

Vaginal birth at St Vincent’s Private Hospital utilising my tens machine, gas, coconut water, a Swiss ball and Will!

Who supported you throughout the birth?

My amazing husband Will.

What was the most challenging part of the birth?

Maintaining energy to get through the final stage.

What most helped you through the birth experience?

Will and my tens machine.

Was there anything that surprised you on the day?

My strength and focus and the beauty of the birthing process.