My name is Claire Edmeston and I am a Doula! Over the past ten years I have been pestered by a sense of deep desire to find my true passion in life, I have walked many different paths in order to find my true north, and then about 4 years ago the word DOULA came into my life. This word Doula, is a Greek word that when translated means “a woman who serves another women” or “a woman who supports other women”. More common terms; such as labouring coach, childbirth companion and labour assistant are possibly more authentic terms to use, if describing what a doula does – or who she is. In order to be a great doula one needs to have heightened listening skills, the ability to nurture, true compassion and empathy, plus a very large heart. A doula is like a silent birth partner, always in the background, yet always close on hand when needed. A doula will guide a Dad to be the best doula for his birthing partner – there is no better doula for a birthing Mom, than her partner…. A birthing doula is not a doctor, nurse or midwife and is not involved in any medical decisions; however I have been trained to have a profound understanding of the biological process of labour and childbirth, plus the usual medical interventions - I am able to explain to the parents what is happening around them in order to relieve any tension or anxiety. I form a communication bridge between the medical staff and the parents. I also act as an effective buffer to any unwanted intrusions. Usually, I have built up a comfortable relationship with the parents prior to the birth, and know what their birth philosophy is and what intentions they have for their child. I become a voice for the mother during labour when the she is unable to express herself with regards to her intentions, and make sure that her needs and requests, along with her husbands, are respected and honoured as much as possible. I am usually the one person that is present with the birthing couple from the start of active labour, offering psychological encouragement and physical assistance through to the birth of their baby and postpartum as well. During the last three years I worked and assisted at over 300 births with a very passionate and dedicated midwife – Henny de Beer. Henny has had a long and very successful career as a midwife, and her generosity to share her knowledge and her dedication to powerful birthing mothers, simply fed my appetite to be the best doula I could be. She trusted me and encouraged me to always support and protect my birthing moms and to help them to maintain their self-belief, which in my opinion is just about all that is required to birth a baby. Recently, I have started a small business called The 4th Trimester which allows me to be of support to the whole family after the birth. I am a firm believer in the philosophy of “What Baby Wants” Basically the 4th Trimester is all about the idea that the first three months of life are treated very much like an extension of life in the womb for the baby. When babies are first born, they don't have the brain maturity to deal with the outside world, they depend on their parents for basic survival, but also for soothing, because they just don't know how to soothe themselves until they are about 4 months old. Compared with other mammals, human infants are much more fragile and vulnerable at birth. They need constant attention and physical contact with other human beings. At the time of birth, they are unable to lift their head, move about, keep themselves warm or feed themselves -- unlike many other baby animals that are born with survival instincts that allow them to get up, walk or run and feed as soon as they are born. Experts say human babies are born with just three basic reflexes: sucking, swallowing and breathing -- and even breathing can be irregular. This may have to do with the immaturity of the human new-born’s brain, which is only about 25% of its adult weight at birth, while most other mammals are born having 60 – 90% of their adult brain size. It is believed that when primitive women evolved to stand up on two legs, the shape of the female pelvis became narrower and resulted in human babies being born three to four months earlier, before their heads grew too large to pass safely through the birth canal. It is as a result of this credence that I consider human babies need the first three months of life to give their brain and central nervous system the time needed to mature. In the course of these first three months, your infant develops into a baby who is able to respond to the outside world. They are able to lift their heads, smile, and coo, develop social interactions, and begin to soothe themselves. This time between birth and the end of a baby's third month is a unique stage of life that excites me and hence my very own 4th Trimester during which I offer on-going support, love and care for the family. QUALIFICATIONS:
• Birthing from Within Doula Training – DOSA
• Mama Bamba Doula Training – DONA
• World Health Organisation – Mother-Baby Breastfeeding Initiative
• The Breastfeeding Clinic – Lactation Management Course
• Sensitive Midwifery Seminar – 2000 to 2015
• Gauteng Breastfeeding Forum – 2000 to 2015
• PNDSA – Postnatal Depression Support Association – 2000 to 2015
• Neumann Neurode Postural Baby Exercises - Facilitator
• Spiritual Birth - Antenatal Course
• Mother Instinct – Antenatal Course
• Childbirth Techniques for Midwives & Doulas
• Burgess & Finch Aromatherapy
• Comfort & Strength in Labour using the Rebozo – Gina Kirby USA
• Conscious Pregnancy & Birth – Hypnobirthing Principles
• Bach Flower Remedies
