Hello my name is Julia and this is my first time blogging. A little bit about me first (in no particular order), I’m an actress, massage therapist (specialising in therapeutic and pregnancy massage), I’m a certified infant massage instructor (I teach parents how to massage their baby over a four week course) as well as working for two not for profit organisations; IAIM (International Association Infant massage) www.iaim.com.au and Future Families a proudly SA run initiative by a local mum Heidi Robins and staffed by volunteer parents www.futurefamilies.com.au. I have a ‘get me out the house one day a week’ job and I am studying to become a doula. I am very passionate about what I do.

For those wondering, a doula is a professional and educated person who helps families through pregnancy, labour and beyond. They are a compliment to the medical staff in hospitals or the attendants at a home birth.
A doula enhances your experience of labour and birth regardless of where, how or with whom you choose to labour and birth. They offer professional birth support to you, your partner and family and provide emotional support, relaxation strategies and physical support as well as education and information during pregnancy, labour and sometimes beyond. 

Doula’s also assist in the birth planning and preparation, including the writing of a birth plan and through provision of information and resources, . Doula’s are on call 24/7 for approx 2 weeks before and after your due date, and of course in attendance at your labour and birth. Doula’s also visit post natally to help your new family settle in together.

 Having a doula provides comfort and continuity of care by way of a number of visits through your pregnancy.

In my next post I’ll tell you more about why having a doula can make your birth a better experience for you and your family.

Until next time,

Julia Fry
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monsoon massage & infant massage centre owner
president of the IAIM (International Association of Infant Massage)
secretary of Future Families Inc
www.monsoonmassage.com.au

0407724628
2/30 Cleland Ave
Dulwich SA 5065

This entry was posted on Thursday, April 17th, 2008 at 12:59 am and is filed under Birth. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.