Essential Me - Doula

29/01/2026

29/01/2026

🟣 BLOG POST
I began researching and writing about 'pushing' in the late 1990s. Unfortunately, directed pushing is still a cultural norm despite all the evidence against it.
https://www.rachelreed.website/blog/pushing-leave-it-to-the-experts

17/01/2026

14/10/2025

🥰🤩🙌

29/09/2025

Check out the smiles at this incredible homebirth. I supported this family having their second baby, along with two midwives and a student midwife. When we debriefed after this beautiful birth, mum (and everyone else in it) gave me permission to post this photo as she wanted to share how many people it took to be well supported to achieve a wonderful homebirth 🥰
She said we were her “dream team”. 🤩

05/09/2025

Sharing on behalf of friend Gabriela Rosa 💙

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23/08/2025

Closed- or open-glottis pushing for vaginal delivery: a planned secondary analysis of the TRAnexamic Acid for Preventing postpartum hemorrhage after vaginal delivery study https://ow.ly/HMyf50Q99Qy

09/07/2025

Another recent birth with repeat clients (first photo now and second from a couple years ago) - this one was a beautiful waterbirth and exactly what she wanted. Both births were at the RHW Birth Centre and this second one was much faster than the first. Fortunately we didn’t need all the OMP exercises as baby was in a great position and the labour presented smoothly. We did use acupressure points, essential oils, breathing techniques and motivational affirmations.
Mum says she found having me there really made a big difference for her confidence in feeling safe, like she could do it, knowing she was well looked after. Such a privilege for me to work with them again.

03/07/2025

I’ve had the privilege of working with so many repeat clients lately. Here we are a couple years later debriefing the beautiful homebirth of their second baby. 🥰
It’s so special to me to be invited to support every client’s birth, and even more so for a second (or third) time. Such a journey we go on through one of life’s biggest transitions. ☀️🧡

05/06/2025

Earlier this year I had the pleasure of supporting this beautiful homebirth. When the couple hired me, they were working with a private OB and planned to birth at their local birth centre, however as their pregnancy continued, and as she processed more of the feelings and trauma from her first birth, mum realised she didn’t want to be anywhere near a hospital. She switched her care over to a private midwife and achieved the hands-off intervention-free birth she dreamed of - just moments after this photo was taken.

In this picture I’m pushing down on acupressure points (Jianjing GB-21) that help at the end of labour (second stage and placenta) - it’s also a distraction and can be a comfort measure. I try to keep out the way as much as possible to facilitate dad as the primary support person, and balance when doing things is actually helpful, rather than becoming another intervention for the sake of it.

I’m very much of the mindset that if it’s not broken, don’t fix it - and sometimes doing less and just being there can be the best support we can offer as doulas. Of course if things aren’t going to plan, then all the OMP tools and exercises come in handy and can make a big difference too.

If you’re considering a doula, please get in touch, I’d love to help 💜

www.essentialme.com.au


Thanks Lu 📸🙏

05/06/2025

Important new research on the value of autonomy and independence in midwifery 

Imagine being handed the tools to save lives but being told you need someone else’s permission to use them. This is the reality for many midwives around the world, who are recognised as the backbone of maternal and neonatal care1 yet, they are often denied the professional recognition, independenc...