Doula Heart Network
Over the past 12months I have had the pleasure of working alongside Renee Adair and her wonderful Doula Heart Network. The Network has made available several doulas to support the young women in the YWCA YWISA program.
Renee has also provided individual childbirth educational and information sessions to our young mums.
The service has been bestowed in a compassionate and supportive manner with real respect for the young women.
The Doula Heart Network has also provided much needed baby clothes and furniture when requested.
On a personal note; through Renee's support, education and encouragement I was able to be a support person for one of our young mothers, and to be on hand when her son was born. An experience I will cherish forever!
Thank you.
Linda Higgins-Reid
Group facilitator/Caseworker
Asylum Seekers Centre
18/04/08
I am the Health Care Coordinator of the Asylum Seekers Centre of NSW. We are a small, independent, not-for-profit organization, which provides practical support and pursues social justice for community-based asylum seekers. Our clients have all applied for a protection visa on-shore and are awaiting final determination on their refugee status or request to remain in Australia on humanitarian or compassionate grounds. The vast majority of our clients hold Bridging Visas, which render them ineligible to undertake paid or voluntary employment or to receive Centrelink or Medicare benefits.
With this background in mind, I applied to Renee Adair of the Doula Heart Network for some birthing support for 2 clients who had recently presented to the Centre in an advanced stage of pregnancy. These women had little or no knowledge of the birthing process and were understandably extremely anxious and unsettled. Our clients’ support network had been completely dismantled when they had fled their countries of origin alone, after experiencing persecution and trauma. I had received Renee’s contact details from a colleague working for the Barefoot Doctors Network, and was told of her legendary generous, and compassionate spirit in dealing with marginalized and vulnerable pregnant women.
After linking them in with Jacqui and Melanie, our clients experienced security and comfort for the first time in a long while. They were able to relax and prepare for their deliveries with the most up-to-date perinatal education and expertise available. Their fears and feelings were responded to in a positive, supportive manner, with clear and sensible descriptions of expected changes. Under Jacqui and Melanie’s anticipatory guidance, our clients were well-prepared for their confinements and both delivered healthy babies in a caring environment.
A most heartfelt thank you to the Doula Heart Network for creating peace of mind and a safe haven for 2 very vulnerable new mothers. Your understanding and empathy have substantially contributed to 2 happy births as nature intended, thus providing the best possible start in life for their little ones.
Kind regards,
Sally Harrold
Health Care Coordinator
YWCA - Young Women's intermediate Supported Accommodation Service.
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