It's 2:00am and you're awake

Awake because you’re pregnant and your baby is kicking, their elbows making strange lines across your belly.   

Your mind races with questions or worry or wonder, and about all that it means to be a parent.   

And then a thought barges in and demands your attention: Can I do this?  

I get it. And I promise: Yes, you can.

Hello, I'm Annie  and I am here to support you

Everyone needs a little help sometimes. Especially when undergoing the most impactful, profound transformation there is in life - becoming a parent.

As your Doula, I offer you an empathetic, non-judgmental, unconditional support system throughout pregnancy, birth, and the fourth trimester.

I believe that how birth happens, matters. As your Doula, I will help you to make a plan, and to plan for the unexpected.

I promise to ensure, to the best of my ability, that you have a good experience of giving birth, and that from day one, you feel empowered to step into parenthood smoothly and assuredly, with a strong community surrounding and supporting you. 

Annie Richardson
Certified Birth + Postpartum Doula - Wise Woman and Keeper of the sacred Rites of Motherhood

Every birthing person deserves a Doula who:

 * champions your empowerment with evidence-based information to help you make the best decisions for you and your baby

  * knows how to support you through the challenges and celebrates with you the many joys

 * listens to you, trusts you, trusts your body, your baby, and your intuition

Giving birth and being born brings us into the essence of creation, where the human spirit is courageous and bold and the body, a miracle of wisdom

What does a Doula do?

Doulas provide physical support

Touch — massage, acupressure, or with a rebozo 

Hydrotherapy — warm shower or birth pool

Applying heat or cold for desired temperature
      
Creating a calm environment through music (or silence), adjusting lighting, and minimizing outside noise or talking

Assisting with walking, swaying, changing position

Offering water, ice, food, other comfort items











Doulas provide emotional support

Continuous presence throughout labour 

Verbal encouragement, praise and reassurance (“normalising” the experience) 

Mirroring the birthing person’s experience and matching the feeling and tone 

Remaining calm and steady, showing a caring attitude 

Empathising with the birthing person, supporting what they want 

Talking through fears and self-doubt with birthing person and their partner 

Re-framing circumstances to help birthing person view themselves and their situation more positively

Processing the birth story postpartum - empathising and clarifying when appropriate

Needing Ritual & Ceremonies instead?

Check out my Pregnancy and Postpartum Ceremonies, Blessing Rituals and Spiritual bridging as you navigate the journey of Motherhood.

Yes, take me there!

Birth + Postpartum Packages - COSTS, FEES and all that Guff

How much does a Doula cost?

Experience and services offered are the major difference. My fees are very transparent and during our meet and greet we can tailor a package to you and your family's needs.

I created my services with blocks in mind so you can pick and choose what suits you, always knowing that the fundamentals are covered.

Please note - I have a minimum package which is labelled "BASE" 
Throughout my years of offering birth and postpartum support, this is the minimal requirement for me  to support you.

BASE - $2, 200

 * 2 Antenatal Meeting (Birth  + Postpartum Planning Session)

 * Birth Mapping

 * 1 x weekly Check-In from 36 weeks via phone or Zoom (15 mins)

 * 24/7 on-call for labour and birth support for 2 weeks before and up to 2 weeks after your estimated due date

 * Labour & Birth Support

 * 1 Postnatal Home Visit (90 mins) in the first 6 weeks after birth to debrief your birth Story and share the journey

 * 2 x weekly Virtual Check-Ins for the first 6 weeks after birth (15 mins)

 * Guided Meditations & Sound Therapy
 
 * Reiki and Ancestral healing

 * Exclusive use of my library and online resources

EXAMPLE PACKAGE - $2,800

 * 2 Antenatal Meeting (Birth  + Postpartum Planning Session)

 * Birth Mapping

 * Soulful Session (connecting to your Ancestors)

 * Sensory preparation (tone, sound, colour, taste)

 * 2 x weekly Check-In from 36 weeks via phone or Zoom (15 mins)

 * 24/7 on-call for labour and birth support for 2 weeks before and up to 2 weeks after your estimated due date

 * Labour & Birth Support

 * 3 Postnatal Home Visit (90 mins) in the first 6 weeks after birth to debrief your birth Story and share the journey

 * 2 x weekly Virtual Check-Ins for the first 6 weeks after birth (15 mins)

 * Guided Meditations & Sound Therapy
 
 * Reiki and Ancestral healing

 * Exclusive use of my library and online resources

EXAMPLE PACKAGE - $ 3,400

 * 3 Antenatal Meeting (Birth  + Postpartum Planning Session)

 * Birth Mapping

 * Soulful Session (connecting to your Ancestors)

 * Sensory preparation (tone, sound, colour, taste)
 
 * 2x Sound/Energy Healings

 * 2 x weekly Check-In from 36 weeks via phone or Zoom (15 mins)

 * 24/7 on-call for labour and birth support for 2 weeks before and up to 2 weeks after your estimated due date

 * Labour & Birth Support

 * 6 Postnatal Home Visit (90 mins) in the first 6 weeks after birth to debrief your birth Story and share the journey

 * 2 x weekly Virtual Check-Ins for the first 6 weeks after birth (15 mins)

 * Guided Meditations & Sound Therapy
 
 * Reiki and Ancestral healing

 * Exclusive use of my library and online resources

Contact me to organise a free call or meet and greet.

I look forward to connecting with you and learning how I can best support your during this chapter in your life.

© 2024 The Heart Grove