What is a doula?
Some people describe a doula as your fairy godmother! While it can feel a bit like magic, it really just comes down to the care and knowledge of someone who knows how to support you as a new mum. A doula is a non-medical professional trained to support mothers after the birth of their baby, particularly within the 4th trimester or first 3 months after the baby arrives. However, there is no time limit on when you can seek support from a doula.
The 4th trimester is a crucial period of recovery and healing for the new mother as she navigates the complexities of motherhood and her changing identity all while caring for this new tiny human. During this time a woman experiences a huge hormonal crash, which requires care, empathy and lots of support from the people around her.
In the not so distant past we lived in a much more inter-generational set up, with family members of all ages living nearby, who could be on hand to support the new mother with housework, cooking and childcare during the first weeks of motherhood. In traditional cultures all over the world there is a special designation given to this time after birth, where the transition to motherhood is honoured as a sacred rite of passage. During this time the new mother crosses the threshold from her previous life and takes up her new identity. But this transition needs time to grow into and a lot of care, support and understanding from the wider community.
In our modern society, where family units are much more isolated and tend to lack the inter-generational support of our ancestors, a doula can step into that space and provide some much needed relief and support as a new young family finds their feet in the postpartum period. A doula can also provide a connection with the wider community and link the family in with other local support systems, particularly if they are new to the area they are living in. Read more about the benefits of a postpartum doula here!
Most importantly, a doula can provide reassurance and confidence in your abilities, encouragement to listen to your intuition and trust yourself when it comes to your baby - because no one knows your baby like you do!
Sinéad Murphy, Postpartum Doula & Hypnobirthing Teacher
My journey to becoming a doula has evolved from my experience of motherhood - and a calling to provide the support for new mothers that I didn't really experience as a new mum. I had (and still have) a wonderfully supportive husband with a very demanding job, we were living in a new town where we didn't know a lot of people and we were 3 hours away from family. While I adored being a mum and loved my new little baby, challenges with breastfeeding, feelings of isolation from being at home alone with a baby all day and the insecurities of being a first time mum really impacted my postpartum experience.
Rather than easing across a threshold into motherhood being mothered, fed, resting and taking time to heal it felt like being catapulted into an unknown world where the weight was fully on my shoulders. Through my years of motherhood (and 3 daughters later!) I have come to learn about matrescence, the physical, emotional, hormonal, neurological, societal transition to motherhood. I now understand that women who become mothers without any form of support experience this transition in a much more challenging way than those who feel supported, heard and seen. That is why I am passionate about providing this support for mothers in that vulnerable and challenging postpartum period - showing up with food and a shoulder to lean on, ready to listen and encourage and most importantly to support you in trusting yourself and your instincts as a mother.
I also believe that your birth experience can have a big influence on your postpartum experience - so I have also trained with the amazing Katherine Graves as a KGH Hypnobirthing Teacher to equip you with all of the knowledge you need to make informed decisions about giving birth to your baby. I can provide you with a course tailored to your needs, in the comfort of your home that will educate you about everything from how birth works to advocating for yourself in hospital. This course is not about breathing your baby out (although breathing is important!) - it is about taking responsibility for your birth and having all of the information you need to make the best decisions possible for your own unique birthing experience.
I am a proud NESTer, certified in ethical marketing through the Pregnancy & Postnatal Entrepreneurs Collective. This certification reflects my dedication to running a heart-centred, values-driven business that prioritises integrity and transparency. The NEST programme equips birth and postpartum professionals with the skills to grow their businesses responsibly while staying aligned with ethical marketing practices and client care.
