If you have reached this page you are probably already thinking about how exciting it will be for yourself once you have the baby to have another supportive person other than just your partner that can be there for you once the little one arrives! Or maybe you are nervous with the thoughts of having a stranger come into your home or speak with you over the phone that might get to know your darkest fears that you are struggling with pre-birth or post-birth!
Well, you have come to the right place as I hope to be that person that you can lean on. First let me share my story with you as briefly as possible, because my role as a doula is to listen to YOU, not for you to listen to my life! More information about me can be found in the “About Page” so you can see if I am a good fit for you and your family.
Prior to having my first child in 1994 I was a nanny in the U.S.A and in England (where I am from) with newborns for approximately 10 years. My pregnancy was 9 months of bliss with no complications and I was eager to meet my son! He arrived 10 days early after 7 hours of a pretty good labor with a wonderful down to earth Irish midwife to guide me through it.
3 days into my adorable little boy’s life, I accidentally dropped a blob of pudding onto my newly washed, crisp white nightdress. The tears started. My midwife patiently held my hand and told me that this was caused by the birth blues and that it only lasts for a few days. Well mine didn’t. The tears didn’t stop and neither did the nightmare that I felt like I was living. Midwives and health visitors visited my home daily for 10 days as is customary in England. The health care system postpartum was amazing and as the 10 days approached and my husband returned to work, my fears mounted.
All the other new mothers that I was surrounded by from various postpartum groups that I joined all seemed to have it down with their big smiles and coos of happiness. I felt like I was on the outside looking in feeling very lonely and I just wanted it all to end. I heard it all. I heard from many people ….
“You should know what you are doing, as you used to be a nanny for 10 years”.
“Oh people have babies all the time you just need to get on with it” in a British manner.
“Are you crying again, because you need attention?”
“I’m sure it’s not really as bad as you say it is, is it?”
After numerous attempts at popping anti-depressants which were not working and with me sinking further into despair a doctor arranged a blood test when my son was 10 months old. The results came back and I was suffering from hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism causes many symptoms including depression. A week into my medication I was a new woman! The cloud had lifted and I felt like I was back to my usual happy self. I had my second child in 1997 with no issues. So having experienced both sides of postpartum life it enhanced my empathy any time a person that I knew or that I heard of that had just had a baby. I yearned to help out anytime that I could. I always hoped that they would ask or that they didn’t reject my offer of help.
Let’s face it. Following the birth your home is full of people visiting, asking about the baby, buying the baby gifts and showering the baby with attention. But what about you? What do you need?
Not everybody’s story is like mine. Some are worse and a lot are a damn sight better! My point is after years of practicing yoga, meditation, researching and trying many alternative methods of health care to improve quality of life for myself and my family and enjoying the process along the way, I felt pulled to help others during the weeks, months or years following the birth of their children and decided to pursue a career as a postpartum doula coupled with Phone My Friend. The two work very nicely together as I can help a broad spectrum of people and thoroughly enjoy my entrepreneurial listening life!
So what do you need? Contact me today so we can get better acquainted. Share with me what you would like from me as your postpartum doula at your home if you are in the surrounding areas of Orlando Florida, or as your loving support system over the phone if you are outside the Orlando, Florida area.
Contact me here for more information on visiting you in your home in Orlando, Florida and I really, really, sincerely cannot wait to be there for you and to hold your hand virtually or physically with any struggles that you might have postpartum.
Claire