DESCRIPTION

Jules Brooks - Doula

I am an experienced Doula and have been supporting couples through their birth journey for 20 years. I am a Childbirth Educator, Calmbirth Practitioner, Birth Counsellor and the Mother of 3 teenagers.
My interest in working as a Doula was by inspired by my own birth experiences, after having a caesarean section and two natural births, I felt drawn to this work, wanting women to have better birth experiences.
I completed my Doula training with Rhea Dempsey ( in 2001). I work in the public and private hospital system as well as home births. I am experienced in working with natural birth, VBACs, inductions. and same-sex couples.

My support is for the birthing woman and her partner and I see my role is to uphold what is important to them. I view birth as a normal life experience and I believe in women's bodies and their ability to birth and hope to pass on that trust and confidence.

I bring many skills to my work on a practical, physical and emotional level. I use my expertise as a Calmbirth practitioner and work with breathing and relaxation techniques, as well as working with your body before and during labour to make space for baby and create optimal fetal positioning using 'spinning babies' techniques.

What I feel is most important is that couples have a positive experience however their birth unfolds.
My birthing package includes:
• Support during your pregnancy
• 2­-3 ante natal visits including a birth plan meeting
• Subscription to our About Birth Online Birth Education Program
• On call for a 4 week period ­ 2 weeks either side of your due date
• 24 hour availability and support throughout your labour
• Access to our resources and referrals to other health practitioners
• 1 postnatal visit (Extra support visits are available if needed)

Birth package cost ­ $1,850.00 -­ 2 Payments

We endeavour to offer a respectful, open and honest service, where the integrity of your views and beliefs are upheld at all times. We are open to working with all varied birthing options and respect all religious and spiritual requirements.

WHY HAVE A DOULA ?

•Provides support is for both the birthing woman and partner
•First births can be long, partners need to break, eat etc…
•Have the benefit of an experienced person in birth
•Help with understanding information and decision making
•Uphold the things that are important to you

In 2017 Cochrane Review releases results for ‘continuous labour support’

Definition of continuous support-
At minimum support during ‘active labour’ and often longer

Type of support –
•Emotional
•Comforting the birthing women
•Communicating Mothers wishes to caregivers

The review looked at 3 types of support
•Doula
•Hospital Staff
•Personal association – Friend or family member

The results were that Doula support had the best outcomes

Benefits –
•39% less likely to have a caesarean
•35% less likely to have a negative birth experience
•15% more likely to have a spontaneous vaginal birth
•Reduction in the use of syntocin
•Reduction in the use of medical pain relief
•More likely to have shorter labours
•Less likely to have an instrumental delivery
*Australian National Partnership for Women and Families - Cochrane Review 2017

Testimonials:
We welcomed our daughter Laura in November 2019 and had the most wonderful birth! We’re so grateful to Jules in her role as our Doula and truly feel like her presence at Laura’s birth made such a positive impact.
My husband and I decided to work with a Doula primarily to have the advocacy support in the hospital system. We chose to work with Jules as she had so much experience and after meeting with her, we loved her energy and felt really confident knowing she would be in our corner.
Jules was absolutely fantastic in supporting me in my late pregnancy and birth. Any questions I had, Jules was available to answer with knowledge, warmth and compassion… which is exactly what you need when birth is a new experience for you! My husband also found having the extra support from Jules allowed him to stay more connected to me and it resulted in him being more present at Laura’s birth (and being able to focus on rubbing my back!)
Having Jules by your side for your birth journey is a wonderful and supportive experience that I wholeheartedly recommend to anyone.
By Ester

Thank-you so much for all your incredible wisdom and for...
believing in me and ensuring I always kept believing in myself,
for hosing my back in the shower for hours on end,
for ensuring my voice was heard when I couldn't speak,
for holding my hand and knowing when I needed it held,
and for supporting my journey into this amazing new world of motherhood.
Georgi