TELL ME ABOUT WHO YOU ARE AND WHY YOU DECIDED TO BECOME A DOULA.
Naomi: “My name is Naomi Sullivan. I have been happily married to my best friend, my wonderful husband of 11 years as of Jan. 16th with 4 amazing children. I have been an active doula for almost 4 years and run my own doula business, Cornerstone Doula Support and Beyond. I became a doula for so many reasons! I always knew I would do something that involves helping people and also involved infants. It must have been when I was about ten that I found out what a doula and a midwife were. I have been passionate about birth work ever since. I eventually became involved in the surrogacy world. I think that is where I knew I wanted to support families in the delivery room and postpartum. The more research I did and the more I talked with families, the more I realized the lack of support birthing people had in general. Someone they could build trust and connection with, someone they felt comfortable to ask questions to, someone who is a constant in the delivery room with them, who didn’t need to worry about shift change, who could follow up with them and knew their birth story already because they were there. I knew I needed to be that person for families! I am now so thrilled to have my own doula company, be part of the volunteer doula program here in HRM, as well as be a co-chair for the Nova Scotia Doula Association.”
WHAT SERVICES DO YOU OFFER AND WHERE?
Naomi: “I offer prenatal, birth, and postpartum support to families. I am happy to offer my services to HRM and surrounding areas.”
WHAT TRAINING HAVE YOU DONE?
Naomi: “I am trained through DONA International for both birth and postpartum doula and just shy of finishing up my certification as well.”
HOW MANY BIRTHS HAVE YOU ATTENDED?
Naomi: “I am not sure the number of births I have attended as I have never actually sat down and tried to figure that number out before, but have been an active doula for almost 4 years.”
WHAT (IF ANY) POSTPARTUM CARE DO YOU OFFER?
Naomi: “I offer a very wide variety of postpartum care and support! It is way too much to list but it goes from anything from helping with feeding techniques to the first bath time at home to helping siblings and/or pets adjust, to watching over baby while you have a nap or take a nice hot shower. I have a very large list on my website of what type of postpartum care I offer. “
WHAT IS IT LIKE WORKING WITH YOU? WHAT IS THE PROCESS TO BOOK? WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS YOUR “DOULA STYLE” OR YOUR CORE VALUES?
Naomi: “My booking process is very easy and simple. Just send me a message and we can work out a date and time that works for both of us to do a free consultation, to make sure that I am the right doula for you. My doula style I would say is being your informed best friend while you’re on this journey. I want to have open and honest communication with you, always. I want to be your cheerleader, to be the one you go to if you’re feeling worried or stressed or excited. I want you to come to me with your questions so I can give you all the information so you can make your own informed choices and decisions that are best for your family. I strive to earn your trust so that you feel comfortable calling on me whenever you feel. Because it’s your journey, your way. I believe we can achieve it together!”
HOW DO YOU SUPPORT YOUR MOMS DURING LABOUR AND AT HOME?
Naomi: “I support in so many different ways, I feel it would be hard to just give a big list. Sometimes it’s giving them the tips to make certain comfort measures work for them. Or being only a call or text away to answer any questions they have or ease their mind about something that they worry about. It’s giving all the information so that families can make informed decisions that best suits their family. Sometimes supporting a family can mean just being there to help time contractions or distract them from the beginning stages of labour before heading in to get checked out or calling their midwife. The support given isn’t just in the delivery room. It’s so much more than that.”
WHAT COPING TECHNIQUES HAVE YOU FOUND MOST HELPFUL FOR LABOUR?
Naomi: “One of the most liked coping techniques I have been told by past clients is definitely the hip squeeze and using a birthing ball while leaning on their partner.”
HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT PAIN MEDS?
Naomi: “I honestly don’t have a side on whether someone is better off to use pain meds or not. It’s such a personal choice and I think no matter what your decision is, you are about to or have just done one of the hardest things in the world- you delivered a baby into this world. You are a superhero!”
DO YOU HAVE A BACKUP DOULA OR PLAN IF YOU CAN’T MAKE IT TO A BIRTH?
Naomi: “Yes! I always make sure to have a backup doula. Happy to say that, in 4 years, I have never needed to call my back up. But it’s always a good idea to have one on call, just in case!”
YOUR NUMBER ONE TIP FOR LABOUR? FOR PREGNANCY? POSTPARTUM?
Naomi: “Pregnancy tip- hard sour candies really do help with nausea. Labour tip- try getting in a warm bath during the beginning stages of labour. Postpartum tip- Do not be afraid to ask for help! People who offer, really do want to help out.”
ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADD?
Naomi: “I am there to be an advocate for you and to help you through labour and delivery, which can be a very stressful and scary time — especially during COVID. I can help ease some of the stress during these tough circumstances and help make it that happy, joyful experience you are hoping for. I have been honoured to attend many births during this pandemic. It comes with its own challenges of course, but we are in this together. I am here for you and your family!”
Connect with Naomi on Facebook and on her website.
More features to check out:
