2019 Daddy Doula Award Story by Emma

Nominee for Daddy Doula Award 2019

My husband Chris

Why do you feel this Daddy Doula deserves the award?

Chris was such wonderful support during our birth and the early postpartum period. The standout daddy doula act that he helped me deliver our little (actually not so little at 4kg) boy when our midwife didn’t make it in time. We joke that he ‘caught’ Elliott like a young fledging cricketer is taught just out two elbows together hands together and catch. It was much more than that act that gives him this daddy doula title.

He was right there with me throughout the more intense contractions as we got closer to meeting Elliott. I never once felt panicked or worried and felt we made a really good team to bring Elliott earthside. One of my main memories of our birth experience was Chris breathing in sync with me as I was between pushes. It was a beautiful moment of connection and no doubt helped me feel the oxytocin vibes to surrender that last little bit.

Chris worked hard in a practical sense trying to get the birth pool ready by boiling and transporting individual jugs of water to our ‘backroom’ which was soon to be the birth room & bedroom. He also followed me crawling around on the ground between contractions with yoga mats to help my knees feel more comfortable. After we worked out breastfeedings and the midwives were attending to me, Chris laid in bed skin to skin with Elliott.

Their bond had been cemented from those very sweet first moments. Most of all he has continued to be the most loving, involved and fun to be around father to our little guy, who has now just turned 1 (bringing up all the birth memories).

Special mention to Geesje our private midwife and Nancy our postpartum doula for all their support too.

Describe your birth experience in 3 words:

Powerful, fast, connected

How did you prepare for birth?

She Births® course, doula/prenatal yoga teacher training and discussions with our doula & midwife

How did you bring your baby into the world?

Natural vaginal delivery at home

Who supported you throughout the birth?

Daddy doula My husband Chris

What most helped you through the birth experience?

My mental state and feeling safe within our environment

Was there anything that surprised you on the day?

My own strength and the ability to feel joy during the hardest moments of active labour

What has been the best post-birth care for you?

Food delivered by friends, family and Chris taking time off to help with all the household stuff to let me focus on breastfeeding & recovery.

Anything else you would like to tell us about your experience?

Birth doesn’t need to be painful, scary or traumatic. I am so thankful to have been guided to have an empowered birth experience by taking part in learning with She Births®. xx