My personal journey...

Welcome! If I was searching for birth or postpartum support, I’d want to know the PERSON behind the doula. If you’re like me, you’ve come to the right page…

I think most people would describe me as a genuinely happy and positive person. I honestly think I could get along with anyone and definitely love to have a chat! Outside of my passion for supporting women and families, I cherish spending quality time with my friends and family, a nice glass of red, listening to Kita Alexander, writing and just generally being outdoors (I’ll never say no to a day at the beach!). I navigated the “two under two” adventure, so you’ll often find me chasing after my two young kids, who have taught me to let go and surrender to the beautiful chaos of motherhood.

You can actually catch detailed versions of my own birth stories on the amazing Australian Birth Stories podcast (episodes #296 and #439). But in a nutshell, I lucked out with continuity of care in the public health system through Midwifery Group Practice (MGP) for both my babies.

In my pregnancies I had the same incredible Midwife, a major inspiration behind my journey to becoming a doula. She showed me the profound impact one person can have on your experience and the importance of continuity of care.

My first bub, Teddy, was a positive and physiological hospital birth at 41+2, after 12 hours of labour. My second, Bobbie, couldn’t wait to join the world after pondering her exit day for almost 42 weeks. She took us by surprise with an unexpected home birth on the living room floor at 41+5 (wrapped up in just under 3 hours!). Despite a home birth not being my “plan”, it was a calm and magic birth, and I was once again in awe of the female body and what we can do.

I dove deep into learning about birth during both pregnancies, embracing the process and understanding the power of knowledge. It's a tool I'm committed to sharing with all my clients.

Despite having wonderful births, my postpartum journeys took different paths…

Teddy, my chunky and chill baby, born at 4.5kg, gave me a euphoric birth experience. I felt powerful and proud, riding the "birth high" for months, which made my transition into Motherhood lovely! Breastfeeding was a dream, I had lots of family support and he was a very content baby. Although he turned into a wild little boy (like, seriously wild) as he grew, those early months were precious.

Bobbie, on the flip side, presented a different experience. Dealing with a posterior tongue tie, causing feeding issues and colic, postpartum was challenging. Overcoming that hurdle slowly eased things, and now she's our smiley little girl! But for the first 12 weeks, she cried most of the day. Handling an unsettled newborn, alongside a high-energy 20-month-old, was overwhelming, and there were lots of tears from me too!

Reflecting on these polar opposite fourth trimesters, I'm actually SO grateful to have experienced both. They've shaped me into a doula who's seen both the beauty and difficulty of postpartum, and a doula who can say she has been in your shoes.

Whether it's your 1st or 4th, you can't predict your pregnancy, birth, or baby BUT you can certainly plan for it. And I'd LOVE to be part of that plan.

My mission is to ensure you feel empowered, confident, supported and held through all stages of belly, birth and baby - because you absolutely deserve it.

Much love,

Shuana x