ABOUT NATUROPATH and DOULA
-
A naturopath assists with health using natural medicines to increase the vitality of the individual. Women of all ages have sought advice from naturopaths previously during preconception, pregnancy, birth, children's health, to assist with menstrual and other women's health disorders, all the way to menopause. Naturopaths are well educated in nutrition, massage and dietary and lifestyle advice and other natural therapies.
-
A doula is a non medical support person for a woman during labour and birth in particular, however you will meet before and after the birth as well. There is much evidence showing that continuous support during labour has many benefits including: greater birth satisfaction, reduction of interventions and pain relief request such as epidural, less chance of surgical and instrumental birth and less pain experienced.
-
Massage can be used to alleviate pain during pregnancy or to assist with relaxation. It can also be used during labour to provide relief as well as post partum recovery. A limited range of pure aromatherapy oils can be used as well as flower essences to help emotional wellbeing during pregnancy and the puerperium.
HISTORY & MISSION
Emma graduated from the Southern School of Natural Therapies in 2001, with Bachelor of Health Science Naturopathy. She then added natural therapies to her therapeutic massage business, with a special interest in treating pregnancy, babies and children. She worked in private practice in Kew for many years, assisting families with their needs, whilst continuing part-time study in small business management and homoeopathy. In December, 2005, Emma attended an intensive program at the ML Dhawale memorial homoeopathic hospital in Palghar, India. This gave inspiration for a group of us to set up a volunteer homoeopathy clinic at the Sacred Heart Mission Clinic in St.Kilda, where Emma volunteered for many years. Emma currently resides in Mount Eliza and in 2014 embarked on further study in Midwifery at Australian Catholic University. University lecturers inspired her to become a DONA doula to facilitate professional birth support and birth education where she has completed certification through Lamaze, an evidence based birth education program. Emma has attended over 20 births, over 50 labours and hundreds of incidences of antenatal and postnatal care to date. She plans on completing Midwifery study, combining her natural therapies, with a goal of becoming an independent midwife eventually. She has a history of educating nutrition and naturopath students on issues pertinent to childbearing women and also facilitates birth education as well as meditation and relaxation groups in the community.