Doula Amanda Nieto
Amanda Nieto
Birth and Postpartum Doula (WOMBS certified)
Supporting Women and Families through Pregnancy and Postpartum
Doulas are professionals trained to provide emotional, physical and informational support to women and their families during pregnancy, birth and postpartum.
Birth Doulas support women during pregnancy and childbirth (vaginal or cesarean births) and Postpartum Doulas assist a mother, her infant and family after birth up to 1 year of age.
Every birth is a wonderful,special and beautiful event in a family's life. Whether you give birth at hospital or at home, it is deserving of celebration and should be a positive empowering experience for the new family. However and wherever you birth your baby, everyone can benefit from having a birth doula. Studies have shown many benefits to having continuous birth and postpartum support. All families deserve the support of someone they trust to guide and assist them at this time. A doulas role is purely supportive and this sensitive,continuous and non judgmental support will give the mother and her family knowledge and confidence in the birthing process and their subsequent journey into parenthood.
The doula does not perform medical checks, can not diagnose, prescribe or make decisions for you but she has knowledge and training in the biological processes of birth and the medical interventions that may arise and can therefore keep you informed.
My primary responsibility is to support you and your family, which will help ease the fear of the unknown and any tension surrounding the birthing process and the postpartum period.
 |  |  |
|---|
About Me
I was born in the UK and have lived in South Africa for 18 years. I have been married to Jaime for 24 years and we have 4 children, Sebastian 23 yrs, Natasha 21 yrs, Alexander 20 yrs and Catalina 16 yrs old.
As a WOMBS certified birth and postpartum doula based in Somerset West/Cape Town, I offer personalized prenatal, birthing and postnatal care in the form of emotional, physical and informational support. My goal is to give you and your family the support and knowledge you need to make informed decisions about your pregnancy,birth and baby care. I believe that birth and motherhood can be a joyful, happy and positive experience regardless of the circumstances which surround it. It should be a positive empowering experience filled with respect, kindness, dignity, compassion, gentleness, humanity and unconditional support. A woman and her family need to have as much control as possible in determining their care and should be encouraged and empowered to be active participants in decision making and self care.
As your birth doula I promise to offer continuous support to you and your partner during the birthing process. I will take the time to get to know you, your concerns and your needs and will do everything I can to make sure your experience is as calm,informed and positive as possible.
As your postpartum doula I will be committed to your health and the wellbeing of your new family. I will be there to provide emotional and practical support as you process your birth experience and transition into your new roles as parents.
Birth doula services
​
I promise to support you in whatever your choice of birth may be (home,hospital,natural,medicated or cesarean).
Prenatal Visits
I will provide:
An initial free no obligation interview.
2 prenatal visits.
Evidence based information.
Phone support during pregnancy and early labour.
On call services from 38 weeks.
Birthing guidance and support
Emotional,physical and informational support during active labour, birth and postpartum.
Natural pain management techniques.
Support,guidance and encouragement for your partner so they are able to assist and support you.
Postpartum Support
General help and assistance directly after birth.
Help with breastfeeding.
2 postnatal visits, 1st in hospital and 2nd at home.
Postpartum Doula services
A postpartum doula is a trained professional who provides emotional, physical and informational support to a woman and her family during the postpartum period (birth to 1 year). She will spend 3-4 hours (or as required) in the mothers home assisting her. The doula's focus is on "mothering the mother" while she recovers from the birth and cares for her baby.
Emotional support
-
I will offer moral support as you process your birth experience giving you a chance to chat about it in order to help with debriefing.
-
I am there as a companion to listen to any questions or concerns you have, no matter how big or small.
-
I will encourage your abilities as a mother to increase your confidence and I will respect your parenting style.
-
I help facilitate communication and encourage bonding.
Physical support
This is tailored to each family's unique needs but can include:
-
General baby care so you can rest, heal,shower,eat, etc.
-
Demonstration and assistance with newborn care.
-
Assistance with breastfeeding and troubleshooting.
-
Assistance with your physical recovery.
-
Care of older siblings.
-
Light household tasks.
-
Light meal preparation, grocery shopping, errand running etc.
Informational support
-
I will provide unbiased evidence based information so that you can make informed decisions in the best interests of your family.
-
I can provide information on normal newborn care, behaviour and general health, ie "Is this normal?"
-
I focus on normal postpartum recovery for mother and infant.
-
Due to my training and knowledge I may notice deviations from normal maternal postpartum recovery, newborn appearance and behaviour, and breastfeeding, and I will refer you to appropriate professionals when needed.
​
​
"Wherever and whenever you intend to give birth, your experience will impact your emotions, your mind,your body and your spirit for the rest of your life.
Ina May Gaskin
​
"New mothers need to be mothered, to be nurtured and cared for by a support network that assists with physical recovery from birth, transition into infant care and the immense psychological leap into a new role."
Lauren Porter
Contact
My birth services and my postpartum services are separate, with different fee structures. Please feel free to contact me about either or both. Looking forward to hearing from you.
​
Amanda Nieto ,
BSc(Hons) Rad, WOMBS certified Birth and Postpartum Doula, La Leche League Leader.
071 334 6156
