PARENTS EMBRACE PERSONAL PREGNANCY TRAINER
amanda.robbemond@news.com.au ways to deal with one of nature’s greatest miracles, the proof is in the, well – placenta.
Late last year Alicia Cooke, 35, of Burleigh Heads gave birth to a healthy baby boy called Finn.
“He’s such a chilled out baby,” Ms Cooke said.
“I believe it’s due in part to the calm pregnancy and birth.”
Even husband Damien, 38, was impressed with how “empowering” and positive the pregnancy and birth had been with Ms Liviani by their side.
Mr Cooke described having a doula as a “personal trainer”, teaching, guiding and supporting the couple as they learned how to navigate the stages of pregnancy and then eventually, the birth.
“It’s kind of kooky but it’s totally normal,” he said, adding he learnt about 90 per cent of his child-birth knowledge from their doula.
Ms Liviani of 2Life Doula, who has now guided parents through more than 50 births since 2012, said two weeks out from the due date she kept her phone on at all hours of the day in case the parents needed her.
“I try to normalise the situation so (the parents are) not freaking out,” she said.
A professional doula service can cost around $1500.