Giving birth is an extraordinary life-transforming experience so having the right birth team by your side makes a world of difference.
It is well known that women who feel supported and safe in labour are more likely to have better outcomes and a smoother recovery. For centuries and in most cultures, women are assisted by a doula, or elder, who knows the process of labour and what is required to keep the woman safe and calm so she can do the deep work of birthing her baby.
As a doula, I am your and your partner's support person during pregnancy, labour and post-birth so you can experience an empowered birth. Every pregnancy and birth is different.
I have worked as a women's health naturopath (nutrition & herbal medicine) since 2010 in Sydney, and I have guided women through their pregnancy and motherhood journey. I specialise in making sure you are nurtured both nutritionally and emotionally. My work covers cellular health, including blood testing and nutrient screening, as well as emotional support and education.
Having birthed my own four children (one in a private hospital and the other two in a birthing centre, and the fourth at our home in Greater Sydney) with the assistance of a doula, I know how wonderful it is to have a good birth team, and what a difference it made to have continuous support before, during and after birth. Every mother who allows me on her journey is a gift to me, and I am grateful to be there in this unique and transformative time.
Women who work with me feel strong, nourished, supported and informed. In the post-partum period, I offer recovery and lactation support.
Most midwives and hospitals encourage the presence of a doula, as it offers more support for the birthing mother and allows for the medical team to attend to their duties of admin work and looking after other birthing women.
By having me as your doula, you will:
How much does a doula cost?
My most popular doula package is $6000. See more here.
The full doula package can be paid in instalments, with the final and full payment being made at week 37 of pregnancy.
It can also be paid in monthly instalments on agreement.
Doula services are available across Sydney, Greater Sydney and surrounding suburbs such as Inner West, Eastern Suburbs, Sydney North, Northern Beaches, Southern Sydney, as well as the Blue Mountains.
I also offer:
"If you are looking for a doula who is super experienced, passionate about her work, caring, authentic, down to earth, keeping it real and honest at all times - in short, an absolute goddess, Anna-Maria is the person you would feel privileged to receive support from during your pregnancy, birth and postpartum. It was the best decision to work with Anna-Maria to help prepare us for our birth and all the magic that comes after. There wasn't a day during our pregnancy on which my husband and I weren't grateful that we had Anna-Maria in our corner. She is wise beyond her years, and it's super helpful that she is also a nutritionist and herbalist. We would recommend Anna-Maria as a doula in a heartbeat. In fact, we believe anyone who is being supported by her would feel so lucky, at least we definitely did!"
.- Silke, Mother of Emmie, Sydney.
My primary focus is to make you, the pregnant woman feel nurtured, cared for and to ensure your optimal health. A birthing mother is immensely strong and powerful, yet vulnerable, and as a birth doula, I work to hold space for you to feel supported, safe and grounded.
Breastfeeding and recovering in the postnatal period is a job best done with a caring community and my aim is to offer as much guidance as possible (and as needed) by educating and supporting you as a new mother.
I support and attended births at; Royal Hospital for Women - delivery ward and birth centre midwifery group, Prince of Wales Private, North Shore Private, North Shore Birth Centre, North Shore Public, Royal Prince Alfred in Sydney, Australia, The Mater, The San, St. George, Bowral Hospital and The Blue Mountains.