Gabrielle Targett

Fremantle / Perth

Phone: 089-336 4347

e-mail Gaby
Website: www.alabouroflove.com.au

Hi my name is Gabrielle Targett, I have been working as a Doula since 1997. During this time I have attended many births in various hospitals,the birthing centre at King Edward Hospital and at home with private midwives.

My greatest achievement to date is parenting my three children all whom I water birthed at home with a private midwife. I feel my birth’s were the most empowering,positive,beautiful and peaceful experiences of my life. This is my reason and driving force behind educating others so that they too can have the opportunity to experience natural birth in this way. My commitment in assisting women and their partners is my soul aim and passion especially in this time of intevention and medical interference in what should be a natural normal process.

After the birth of my third baby, my eldest daughter Jaeosha turned to me and said "Mum I hope that I can have a baby in the water just like you when I get older". I hope and pray that natural birth will still be an option when her time comes.I also hope that one day my daughter will still be able to have the choice of the type of birth she wants.

I feel I have the background knowledge, skills and understanding of the birth process and just what the female body is capable of, given the right support both mentally physically and emotionally. My intent is to totally honour a woman in labor and support and guide her through her unique birth experience and assist her partner to feel comfortable and at ease during the labor and birth.

Currently I am working as an Independent Childbirth Educator (giving non-biased information and education to women and couples). For the past eight years I have run an Aquatic Ante Natal exercise program at the Fremantle Leisure Centre. Currently I am also running Ante Natal Fitball classes in Fremantle . My background is iin Human Movement; I have a BA in Physical Education and have lectured and taught Aqua fitness, Health and Fitness for the past 10 years at TAFE and independently through my business.

I am currently working on becoming a certified Doula and Post Natal doula through DONA (DOULAS OF NORTH AMERICA) and have just participated in the Hypnobirthing Facilitators Course.

My goal for the future is to train more Doulas as there is a great demand in our community for women to be honored and supported during childbirth.

e-mail Gaby

Toni Armstrong

Perth - 08 9448 0973

e-mail Toni

For Toni's details, click here

Toni Armstrong BA (Psych); PG Dip Psych
(08)9448-0973 0439949975
birthingbuddies@iinet.net.au

I have been fascinated by pregnancy, birth
and babies since childhood. My first close-up experience with birth occurred when I was
around 8 years old. One of my mother’s friends called in at our home whilst in labor with
her second baby. She wanted to labor at home as long as possible and We lived near the
hospital where she intended to birth. When she felt she was close to birthing her baby we
all set off for the hospital. I distinctly remember being with my mother in a nearby waiting room while her friend's baby was born. I was so excited to hear his first cry. We were immediately called into the room to see him. I was in absolute awe of the whole experience.

My fascination with the creative process of birth grew into a passion during my own pregnancies
prompting my return to university to complete a degree in psychology. Over the years I have
continued to deepen my knowledge, skills, and experience with pregnancy and birth through regular attendance at national and international conferences, training courses, workshops, study groups, and in supporting women and their families during pregnancy and birth as a doula.
With a background in education, a solid foundation in the psychology of children and families, and my own parenting experiences I am well positioned to support, and honor, women and their families during their unique journey toward new life.

I am available to…

• have a chat about the wonders and the worries of your pregnancy, birth and
  early parenting experience
• support you throughout pregnancy to enhance your early parenting experience
• support you through your birth in the setting of your choice
• facilitate a reduction in fear and stress relating to pregnancy, birth
  and early parenting
• facilitate childbirth education sessions (private and group)
• facilitate community education through talks for community groups, and
  in schools
• suggest helpful resources

I believe that women and their families deserve to be honored in their choices whatever they may be.

Birthing Buddies

‘Preparing heart and home for new life’

Bee Westbrook

Mandurah – 9582 2524

I am the mother of 2 beautiful individuals who are now in their twenties. Through my experiences over the last 20 years of Mothering and Parenting my journey has included being an Early Childhood Educator, Teacher Assistant, and Manager of a youth agency and the Project Manager of the ‘Eyes Wide Open’ Project.

In the last few years I have been drawn to working and supporting the young parents in our community. I am passionate about the early beginnings of life and the impacts on children due to life experiences from conception to pre-adolescents. This has led me to encouraging and supporting young mothers during their pregnancies from conception through to becoming a parent.

The result of my efforts has been the creation and development of the ‘Eyes Wide Open’ project, which supports young parents from pregnancy through to parenthood.

An extension of this project is to be able to offer these young parents the opportunity to access the support of a doula (professional birth support) during their new life situation of becoming a mother/parent.

As a doula, I offer continuous emotional, physical and informational support, prior to birth, during birth and post birth - honouring the needs of the mother always. My goal for the young mother is to assist her to reach the best possible outcomes for a natural birth where ever possible, assisting her to make her birthing experience as special and sacred as possible.

Be Westbrook

Please feel free to contact me:-
MANDURAH WA 6210
Ph; 9581 3365wk, 9582 2524a/h,
Mob: 0419 906 330

Alison Plumridge

South of the River
9337-6467

Later whilst traveling overseas I became further interested in birth and very inspired by a couple who had birthed their baby all by themselves in India after simply chatting to a local village midwife about what to expect. Their absolute faith in themselves and in the natural birth process was what encouraged and inspired me a few years later to seek out my own equally positive experience when I became pregnant with my first child.

I went on to have two amazing births, each totally unique, both without any medical pain relief and the second being a smooth and easy water birth at home. Since having these incredibly empowering birth experiences my awe of birth has increased tenfold and my interest has grown into a deep passion. It is now my aspiration to support and honour other women and their partners during their own pregnancy and birth journeys so that they may also experience deeply fulfilling and empowering births.

With a university background in psychology I have always been interested and involved in assisting others to educate themselves and to self-initiate positive change in their lives. I have recently completed my doula training here in Perth and have also trained as a Community Childbirth Educator through Birthplace W.A. Since having my two children I have connected with many of the wonderful community resources and networks available and feel confident in supporting parents-to-be and new parents in their journeys.

As a doula I am able to offer:

• support during labour and birth at either home, hospital or birth center.
• support for partners during labour and birth so that they can feel relaxed and comfortable and hence be the best support they can be for their partners.
• Pre natal support including childbirth education and information regarding choices and resources.
• Post natal support including practical home help, breast-feeding and sleeping habit advice, information about community resources and support networks.

I believe that birth is an inherently normal and natural process and that honoured with the time, space and support she needs, a woman can be incredibly strong and powerful as she brings her baby into the world. I also believe that women need to trust their bodies during the birth process and to approach their births without fear and anxiety but with excitement and anticipation. I thoroughly enjoyed both my births and it is my dream that more women and their partners can also experience the same joy as they birth their own babies.

May your birth be all you desire it to be – you deserve it! Alison Plumridge

Donna Hamilton
0438376793
donna@creativespaces.com.au

Working in Fremantle, East Fremantle and surrounding areas.

My name is Donna Hamilton, I live in East Fremantle with my partner James, our 12 year old son and our 6 year old daughter. I feel right in the heart of our community – the kids go to our local primary school and our business is within walking distance to our home. I am a new doula and I can’t wait to begin assisting women to have a natural and satisfying birth experience. I completed my training with Gaby this year, but I have attended births for friends at home and at hospital. My own births were both breech and I have come to be passionate about this work through my experience of one highly intervened birth and one totally natural. I can tell you, in my opinion natural is better for everyone!!

I have worked in expressive dance and creative movement and group facilitation, and I aim to help women connect their bodies and their inner selves – bringing more of who they are to their birth experience. My training in this work and my life experience helps me to be a highly effective communicator and educator. I think pregnancy is a beautiful and fascinating state, I love the pure visibility of the cycle of life and transformation, right there in a woman’s blossoming belly! It is a great time to be open, learning, attending to the needs of your body and dreaming of the life you will share with your new baby.

“Bloom” is my seven week pregnancy dance class designed to help you explore, express and celebrate your pregnancy and transition to motherhood. Please contact me for details of the dates for the next group, or to ask about my availability as a doula for you and your partner.

donna@creativespaces.com.au
0438376793

Gaynor Pyman

Mandurah – 9586 2777

Mandurah

Hello my name is Gaynor Pyman, I live in Mandurah Western Australia. I am a mother of two beautiful children, Oliver (2001) and Emily (2005). I’m also pregnant with my third due January 2007.

It was in between the birth of my two children, that my friend of 18 years asked me to be present for the birth of her daughter (2003) to help support her and her husband. (What an amazing experience). Then when she asked me again with her second daughter (2005) I was honoured and also very excited. It is such a privilege when some one asks you to attend a birth of a child, you are supporting them while they undergo an amazing journey of bringing another life into this world.

Since then I have complete a ‘doula’ training course by doing so I can help other woman and their partners achieve a beautiful natural birth experience, that I believe every woman is entitled to.

South of the River
Mob: 0404-993-277

South of the River
Mob: 0404-993-277

Trained Doula
Diploma Massage Therapy (AAMT member)
Bachelors Degree Human Movement Science

Passions and Beliefs

Giving birth is every woman’s birthright, a momentous and significant time in her life. The way in which birth is carried out affects us as women, affects our partners and families, and ultimately affects our babies. It is through sharing in other women’s experiences that I have come to believe so strongly that normal, natural birth can be an empowering, positive experience for everyone involved.

We are living in a world where birth is feared and treated as a sickness. It is my hope that through INFORMED CHOICE and education we can help women to better understand their bodies and trust their instincts in order to experience birth in a way that is safe, empowered , satisfying and normal. When we work WITH the body, instead of AGAINST it, beautiful things follow.
Relevant Background and Experience

• My second brother was born when I was 13 years old, igniting a fascination with the topic of pregnancy and birth. It was around that time that I knew I had a desire to work closely with women and families, but in what capacity, I was not sure. Since then, I have soaked up any information I can get my hands on, knowing birth would be a part of my life one day. I frequently attend conferences, workshops and mother’s groups not only as a means of personal preparation for my own birth experiences, but with the intention of helping to educate others.
• I have completed the “Labour of Love” Doula Training Course in 2007, and since then have continued an independent study on the topic of labour and birth, with a particular interest in the history, psychology and social aspects surrounding birth.
• I am a Remedial Massage Therapist with a strong background in anatomy and physiology and have an interest in helping the body to operate at it’s full potential. My skills in remedial and relaxation massage can be applied throughout the pregnancy, at the birth, as well as post-natally.

What I can provide to you

• Help to explore ideas about birth, raising questions and topics of discussion that you and your partner may not have considered, and at all times, helping to give a balanced view.
• Assistance in creating a “Birth Plan”, a way of helping you to define what you want for your birth. Our thoughts really do create our reality!
• Resources that allow you to make an INFORMED CHOICE with relation to your pregnancy, location of birth, maternity care provider and other important details.
• A sense of reassurance that you AND your partner are being looked after, honored and supported.
• Post-natal care and support including practical assistance at home (cook a meal, quick tidy-up, throw in a load of laundry – it all helps!), breastfeeding assistance, and post-natal resources that are available to you and your family.
• Referrals to Childbirth Education Courses, Pregnancy Yoga, Ante-Natal Aqua Classes and Fitness classes, Lactation Consultants, Parenting groups, Pregnancy and Parenting Products…there really is a wealth of information out there .
  

Hello, I’m Patricia. My passion for helping women was ignited when, at the age of 6, I was lucky enough to witness my mother catch her friend’s baby as he was born at her home, surrounded by a handful of captivated children. It was a quick birth, the midwife didn’t make it in time - but it was perfect. This for me was the best illustration of exactly how birth should be; natural, intuitive and supported.

Over the years, I have had the privilege of attending a number of births – in hospital and at home - among my family and friends. Each of these births has been a totally unique experience, yet equally
miraculous, heart-warming and awe-inspiring. The wonderful home water birth of my own son in 2006 breathed new life into my passion. I decided on that day that I would dedicate my life to women and birth. I wanted every woman in the world to experience the elation I was feeling having just given birth the way my body had intended.

I feel that it’s every woman’s right to feel safe, supported and honoured as they embrace the process of birth. It is also their right to know and partake in the unravelling of a best-kept secret: that natural birth is NOT a terrible, painful, dangerous experience to be feared. With the right preparation and support, it is a strengthening, empowering and wondrous transformative process!

I am currently studying towards becoming a midwife at university, and have recently completed training as a doula. My ultimate goal as a doula is to help each woman reach a place within herself where she feels completely confident in her body’s ability to birth, and to wholly support her as she embraces and surrenders to her body and her intuition. I feel I have the knowledge, dedication and experience to inform and guide you, and your partner on your journey through pregnancy, birth and beyond. ‘Nobody but your body knows how you birth best’.

Kristy Brookes
B. App. Sc
Grad Dip (Ed)
kristybrookes@yahoo.com.au
Ph: 0419934557

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if every woman had a positive, empowering birth story to share?
Hi, my name is Kristy and pregnancy, birthing and parenting are my passions. As a mother of two beautiful boys, I marvel daily at the living miracle of natural birth and parenting. Having experienced the joy and elation of natural birth, my aim is for every woman to be able to reflect back on their birth experience with those same feelings of joy, achievement and empowerment that I felt! Birth is a spiritual journey of beauty and discovery – and I believe that all women have the right to feel supported and honoured throughout their experience. And I believe that every woman should be given the opportunity to birth how she desires!

As your doula, I will support your emotional, physical and spiritual needs throughout pregnancy, the birth and in the weeks and months after your baby is born. I am interested in all aspects of holistic parenting – from pre-conception care, pregnancy, and natural birth and bonding through to breastfeeding and natural parenting ideals. I have a special interest in Postpartum Doula Care where I can offer you in-house domestic care (settling back at home, cooking meals, cleaning or shopping) and most importantly, support you to confidently embrace breastfeeding. I would also love to share my passion for homeopathy with you! I will show you how this wonderful healing modality can support you effectively throughout your pregnancy, birth and in the post-natal period.

It would be an absolute honour for me to be a part of this exciting journey with you and I look forward to sharing my love and passion with you. “Birth is not only about making babies. Birth is about making mothers - strong, competent, capable mothers who trust themselves and know their inner strength.” - Barbara Katz Rothman