About Clare - Doula and Hypnobirthing Practitioner in Sydney’s Inner West

Welcome, I’m Clare

Mum, experienced doula, childbirth educator, placenta encapsulation specialist and lover of the divine feminine. I love helping women tap into their innate power and deep wisdom during times of transition such as pregnancy, birth and the early postnatal period so they can traverse this phase of life with confidence and calm.

When I first became pregnant nearly 23 years ago, I instinctively felt I needed another woman to be present during my labour and birth, who believed in my innate capacity to give birth and who understood that I needed someone to hold space for that inner knowing to come alive. I knew this was not just a physical experience but something profound that I wanted to experience on all levels. I also knew this may be challenging in the ever-increasing medicalised settings that women often birth in and I just wanted someone I trusted, who was in my corner - I didn't know it then but what I was looking for was a doula!

I was then given the honour of supporting a friend during her labour and birth and witnessed my first doula baby come into the world - an event that forever changed my life's course - I had found my calling.

I had a challenging birth experience that required medical intervention (for which I will be forever grateful) but felt greatly supported by those I had chosen to be with me, who knew what was important to me and stayed by my side. My second birth some 9 years later was a very different experience - I was now a doula and called on all the wisdom I had gathered from supporting other women and channelled it into my labour and I roared my beautiful daughter into the world on my terms, in my way. I am passionate about all women having this opportunity to give birth on their terms, in their way.

 Everyone wants a healthy baby but birth is so much more than that.

Birth is a sacred rite of passage that should be honoured for the deeply transformative experience that it is. All birth can and should be a positive, if not beautiful, experience.

For most women birth is not a medical crisis, but rather a generally safe, natural event. We know how to birth our babies and our babies know how to be born. The truth is though, there are many factors that can get in the way of this inner knowing. Independent childbirth education and choosing caregivers wisely are vital.

I offer you unbiased, evidence based information and support coupled with an understanding of the emotional, physical and spiritual transitions for mum, bub and partner. Being able to anticipate the birth of your baby feeling calm, confident and prepared allows you to also feel the excitement of such a special event!

 I have been a doula for 18 years and have had the honour of supporting countless couples through their pregnancy, birth and early parenting journey.

Having trained initially as a birth and postnatal doula with the Australian Doula College, I then went on to complete their comprehensive childbirth education which allowed me to deepen my knowledge and pass that on to my doula clients.

Further training with Birthing from Within, the Sacred Living Movement, in particular Sacred Pregnancy and Sacred Postpartum, and a deep reverence for the feminine rites of passage, has given me a wonderful toolbox from which I can draw when working with clients.

I have witnessed birth in all settings - labour ward, birth centre and home - with all variations of caregivers from obstetricians to independent midwives. Whilst I believe that the gold standard is
one-to-one midwifery care, beautiful births are possible and happen in all care settings, with all care providers - you just need to choose wisely.

I have trained aspiring doulas and mentored emerging ones and feel gratified knowing there are more passionate, committed birth workers entering the profession.

Through my own experience and that of witnessing many births,

I have a deep knowledge of the power of the devine feminine that lives in the womb of all women, whether they realise it or not. I know that when this is acknowledged and tapped, a woman is capable of anything.

This knowing, along with extensive training in the physiology of birth, an understanding of the hormonal dance during labour and a sound knowledge of natural therapies to reduce anxiety and increase comfort, all combine to give me a set of skills that can be used to your advantage and adapted to your individual needs.

The transition from maiden to mother is physical, mental, emotional and spiritual - I know this, I feel this, I respect and honour this.

Qualifications

Birth and Postnatal Doula - Australian Doula College

Childbirth Educator - Australian Doula College

Placenta Encapsulation Specialist - PBi

Hypnobirthing Australia™ Certified Birth and C-section Practitioner

Cert IV Reflexology - Nature Care College

Diploma of Remedial Therapies (including aromatherapy) - Nature Care College

Certified Health Coach - Institute of Integrative Nutrition

Currently studying Advanced Diploma of Clinical Western Herbal Medicine

Memberships

Doula Network Australia

Placenta Services Australia