Utopia Holistic Health and Holidays Utopia Holistic Health & Holidays Issue 8 August 2 | Page 23

 especially the mother to feel more in tune with her body, more calm & content.
 https://www.bellybelly.com.au/birth/ecstatic-birth-natures-hormonal-blueprint-for-labor/
Doula's are all for the alternative, however we also support the families decision whether it be
mainstream or alternative. As much as we are prone to educate our mothers of other ways of
pain relief during labour, supplements to take during pregnancy, things to be mindful of such as
delayed cord clamping & placenta encapsulations to name a few. We are also non-judgemental
towards mainstream ways of birthing. Whether it be to have an epidural, an elective caesarean
or an assisted birth by a doctor. We are there to accept and support your decisions. We are
open minded to these ideas and will help you feel comfortable to make your own decisions in
your birth experience.
 On a personal level. Before becoming a doula. I have had two children of my own. I had my first
birth experience 8years ago and viewed birth as an illness. A challenge. The hardest thing a
woman has to endure in. My experience was difficult. I vowed to myself after having my
daughter that I would never put myself through anything like that again. And so it stuck… 2
years went by, 4 years.. 5. I was so adamant that our family of 3 was complete. It wasn't until
the 6th year that I received all signs and a spiritual prompting to have another baby. I felt like I
was offering myself for sacrifice (pun intended).  I wasn't all too keen on the idea as the
thoughts of my first birth never left my memory. It haunted me for so long after. Once I
accepted to being pregnant again, we fell pregnant with my 2nd and I began to research. I was
surrounded by natural health practitioners that taught me how incredible our body works.
It was through Chiropractic that made me more aware and more capable of handling labour. I
was given spinal adjustments every week during pregnancy & fed positive info about the
female body. Most importantly, I was told continuously that I could birth my baby naturally.
The more I surrounded myself with this positive circle of knowledge the more I believed in
myself. When the time came, I gave birth naturally, without intervention, through a water birth
with my husband by my side, my main midwife and a student midwife who acted as my doula. I
will forever be grateful for the people around me who made an impact on how well my birth
went. I worked hard during my pregnancy to research, to inform myself to be active daily, to
give myself positive self-talk, to make sure I was adjusted every week, to bonding intuitively
with my baby through utero and to remain calm & content throughout my birth.
Every birth is different. Both my births were far from different to each other. My mindset
played a huge part in each outcome. Our mindset is the most powerful tool to have during
birth. If we change our mindset on how we view birth & pregnancy, our whole world changes.
 As your doula, I am there to hold that space for you. To motivate you always. To continue to
support during birth. To listen. To offer up to date information on hand. From my own
experience and from what I have learnt through my studies and also from current doula
experiences, I have learnt how important it is to be of comfort to each family. How important it
is to have a doula in your team.
 Please take the time to view my website www.inspiredbirth.co and Facebook page Inspired
Birth Co. for more information on what I have on offer and how my work as your doula can
make you feel comfortable through this exciting journey of yours!
 Love & Light, Shana Afu
Inspired Birth Co. SBD Doula + Infant Massage Australia