“The things you are passionate about are not random, they are your calling”
Where it began
My awe of childbirth and the passion that comes with it, is something that seems to have always been with me, its something I feel I was called to do early on in life. In many ways I have always been on the path leading to making it my profession.
Training
My first daughter, Asha was born at home in 2005 and after my second daughter, Ella, was born is 2008, also at home, I became set on becoming a doula and signed up with Childbirth International to train. I then joined WOMBS (Women Offering Mothers Birth Support) some years later and finished my training in 2014.
Trust birth
Nothing fills me with more joy than supporting a mother on her journey in childbirth, helping her make informed choices in her pregnancy and helping lead her to an empowered birth, no matter the circumstances.
Service and support
My support of women during birth is something that feels 100% natural, it's like a ‘sense’, rather than something I was taught to do. I feel highly sensitive towards and deeply aware of a mother's needs when giving birth. I can help bring a beautiful sense of calm to the birthing room. I have a non-judgemental approach, gently helping mothers and fathers make informed decisions that are best for them and their family. I help to navigate and prepare them for the ancient path to parenthood.
A women is never more beautiful than when she is giving birth, especially when she can let go and trust that she is being well supported.
Your
Baby's
Birth!
Services
I live in Plumstead, Cape Town, covering the areas of Cape Town CBD, Atlantic Seaboard, Southern Suburbs, and the deep South.
For other areas contact me for more info.
Prenatal
• An initial interview
• An antenatal visit, where I assist you in developing a birth plan.
• On call for you from 38 weeks
Birth
• Home visit in early labour, if appropriate, before hospital transfer
• My support during your labour and birth
• At least 1 hour postnatal care with the aim to establish a breastfeeding relationship.
Postnatal
• A hospital visit.
• A home visit in the first two weeks of being home with your baby.
TESTIMONIALS
Some words from my clients.
Testimonial by Candice
Testimonial by Miguel
Testimonial by Nina
Contact Me
Feel free to contact me for a consultation. Please let me know:
Your estimated due date,
Who you primary caregivers are,
Where you want to give birth.
Its hard to put into writing how amazing Catherine was during the birth of our son. Catherine was the first doula that we met with. She was kind enough to meet us at our home, and as soon as she left the meeting, my husband and I turned to each other and immediately agreed that she was extremely knowledgeable, prepared and very calm. She asked us questions such as how important is a natural birth, how important is breastfeeding and we were required to rate these on a scale of 1 to 10. I enjoyed answering her in depth questions because it made me think very carefully about what I wanted and the reasons behind my thoughts.
We found Catherine quite late in the pregnancy (36 weeks) but even though she had not been with me through the initial phases of the pregnancy, she was with me for the most important few weeks. She would often send me text messages to ask how I was doing, and I really felt that I could ask her any question (no matter how stupid!) and she would answer honestly and with great insight. The information she gave us was always spot-on and very valuable.
The big day arrived, and my waters broke on the Friday night. By Saturday morning my contractions were still not very strong and we knew there was something wrong. Catherine gave me advice on what to do and met me at the hospital.
My son passed meconium in the womb and went into distress. In the end, I had an emergency caesarean section and Catherine was with me every step of the way. I hadn't done much research into c-sections, but she talked me through the entire process and held my hand when I was very nervous. I was very concerned about my son's health, but Catherine was right beside me talking me through each step. She was so passionate and helpful throughout the birthing process. When my son was taken to be checked, my husband went with the doctor and Catherine stayed with me while the doctors were stitching me up. I became very nauseous from the anesthetic, but Catherine knew exactly what to do and offered me some lemon oil to sniff – it made me feel so much better. I don't know what I would have done without her! She took the most beautiful photo's and video's of the birth and of the first time my son and I saw each other. These are still my most precious photos and I watch the videos often. She encouraged skin to skin and delayed cord clamping to make the experience as natural as possible.
After the operation I was wheeled to recovery and she stayed with me the entire time. My operation was at an unfortunate time (5pm) and the nurses were changing shifts. This meant lots of papers to sign and they needed to take vitals from me and my new little baby. I was becoming more stressed as I had not had a chance to even look at my new little boy and enjoy the moment with my husband. Catherine could sense this and tried very hard to ask the nurses to give us a little space. She is kind and gentle while at the same time firm – an wonderful quality that not many people have! She was an amazing advocate and I always felt that she was in our corner, defending this sacred moment.
Within the first hour, Catherine encouraged me to start breastfeeding and helped me to latch my son. She sat with me and showed me a technique that I still use. She came around to the hospital each day to check up on me and our new little family. Again, I felt comfortable to ask questions about how I was feeling and breastfeeding. Catherine was able to answer each question with confidence and care.
About a week after being at home, Catherine came to visit. My son was very colicky and Catherine was able to offer lots of advice on what to do. She even showed me how to use the noo noo pie wrap that I was given! She always had open lines of support and communication during the pregnancy and leading up to the big day, providing helpful information on various pre and post natal care.
I could not have asked for a better support. Hiring a doula may be seen as an extra expense to take on for the birthing experience, but for us it would be a must! I felt that my husband was able to support me with confidence because of the expertise and calm nature of Catherine. We are so thankful for everything that Catherine has done for us and already plan to use her for future births! Catherine made bringing out beautiful son into this world just that much more amazing.
Testimonial by Miguel
Catherine's support before, during and after my wife's delivery was amazing.
Before the birth, Catherine met with us on two occasions to get to know us and our birth preferences. Catherine's bubbly personality made these meetings feel like coffee with a friend.
Through sharing her own experiences, both as a doula and as a mother, she was able to manage our expectations of child birth and calm our anxieties. She committed to supporting our birth plan without judging our decisions and was available on Whatsapp to answer our (often stupid) questions.
During the delivery, Catherine was a great support to both myself and my wife. We had previously thought that a doula would not be as helpful for a cesarean section. We could not have been more wrong! Catherine was there every step of the way, calming us both down during my wife's unexpected c-section.
During the operation, she stayed with my wife the whole time and kept her informed of all that was going on in the theatre when I had to leave her side.
Immediately after the birth, she liaised with the nurses to ensure that our baby was reunited with his mom as soon as possible. She came to visit us on several occasions at the hospital, offering advice on breast feeding and caring for a newborn. She subsequently came to visit us at our home to check that everything was going well and for us to reflect on our birthing experience.
Overall, Catherine provided a calming presence at a time of much uncertainty. It is strange to think that we did not even know what a doula was until a few weeks before our due date. I am so glad that we looked into it and discovered Catherine! I cannot recommend her more highly.
Testimonial by Nina
As soon as I had a doula booked the peace of mind it gave me knowing I would have a compassionate and knowledgeable companion alongside my husband and I during labour, made the fee worthwhile, long before I even gave birth! All apprehension evaporated and I began to look forward to the birth of my first baby, instead of dreading it.
Catherine was a back-up doula for me as the doula I hired was not available due to my baby arriving 5 weeks prematurely. So I hadn't met her before the day of my sons arrival. But when Catherine arrived at the hospital with me already in labour - her warmth and calm manner immediately put my husband and I at ease. We felt like we had known her our whole lives!
I had a "back labour" when meant all the pain I felt was in my back. Catherine very ably helped me get into comfortable positions while giving me physical and moral support. This included a lot of massaging my back which brought incredible pain relief.
She made my husband feel included throughout and I felt so supported during the labour process. With Catherine's calm, motherly and compassionate attitude she helped both Nick to stay calm.
With Catherine's help I managed to have the medication-free labour I had hoped to experience. I would have definitely ordered an epidural soon after the contractions started without her! At the same time I always felt supported in my decisions and knew if I had wanted an epidural or any other medication she would have supported that too.
Due to complications nearing fill dilation I ended up having an emergency c-section. Catherine was able to be there for us in the theatre too - providing emotional support through a traumatic time. She stayed with me all the way until we had our baby back in the maternity ward, also assisting with bonding and initial latching. The photos she took during this time we will cherish for ever!
I honestly can't recommend Catherine highly enough! She brought calm and care to the most challenging day of my life and I will always be most grateful to her.
Her follow up service was excellent too and she visited us twice in hospital and we have kept in contact since.
If you want to have a positive birth experience you won't regret hiring Catherine as your doula. We are on a tight budget so the cost was a big deal for us - but it was worth every cent!"
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