The practical element of the experience is something we co-create, which may look and feel like; comfort measures during labour including massage, touch, reassurance and encouragement, support to stay in your body, optimal positioning, promotion of physiological labour and birth hormones,

minimised intervention if desired, consultation, advocacy, peer counselling, advice, on call support, the opportunity to be seen, heard and witnessed, referrals, support of the emotional, psychological and physiological kind, increased partner involvement and reassurance, protection of the birth space and increased advocacy for your informed consent, real time resources when and as you need them, nourishment and care to return to vitality during postpartum. A seamless continuity of care through your entire journey. You may likely have dozens of care providers throughout your pregnancy and labour, as your birth caretaker I will accompany you through your entire journey. This becomes profoundly important, as you enter into the non-verbal portion of labour and require care providers to allow the echo of your desires to permeate your experience and hold you safely.

A caretaker must be a shape shifter, meaning maker and soothing poet, able to read your needs and desires, while fostering safety within the emergence of change, awareness of ways to increase agency over your experience, providing companionship and space as needed. 

It is not the role of the caretaker to speak on behalf of, but rather raise the voice and needs of the birthing person, if and when the care providers, institution or situation has lost sight of them.

She shared wisdom with such grace, making me feel empowered.

After, when the world felt both fragile and new, Kijika held space for me with tenderness that nourished my spirit as much as my body. Her compassion wrapped around me like a warm embrace, reminding me I was never alone. She gave me confidence, peace, and a deep sense of trust.

It was clear that Kijika had significant experience with babies and children and a genuine interest in birth. She always had good advice in relation to birth preparation, the birth itself, post-partum care and recovery for both me and my baby.

For the birth itself, she was remarkable at sustaining herself for the duration of my labour, which was quite long and drawn out. I wanted a to give birth naturally, but I was two weeks overdue and ended up at the hospital being induced with Syntocinon. Kijika supported me the whole way through, particularly in the most intense period of my time at the hospital, which begun in the morning before I started the Syntocinon drip up until the time I was pushing my baby out, roughly 24 hours later.

keeping me nourished and hydrated with food and drinks, preparing essential oils for relaxation and face washers to cool my forehead, trickling water on my back and chest whilst I was in the bath as well as implementing massage and acupressure techniques.

She provided emotional and physical support while remaining alert and logical when it came to making decisions that involved my treatment and adhering to the preferences I had listed on my birth plan. Not once did I feel like I was being judged or that Kijika interfered with the dynamic between me and my partner and I am so glad to have had her there with us. I definitely recommend her to anyone considering having a doula in their pregnancy journey.

When my partner Kayla and I were preparing for the birth of our son, there were two pieces of advice that, for whatever reason, really sunk in. The first was ‘don’t listen to anyone’, meaning that this would be our journey and despite all the well intentioned advice, every parent has to forge their own path and figure out what will work best for them. This resonated. There seemed to be an endless list of warnings and explanations from people we knew, as if certain things were bound to happen to everyone. ‘Don’t listen to anyone,’ helped me remember that our experience was going to be different to others’ and that even when unexpected things happened, it was generally nothing to worry about.

The second piece of advice was, ‘get a doula, there’s a lot happening during a birth and it’s helpful to have some extra support’.

Kijika was super proactive when it came to initiating creative ways to help Kayla feel slightly more comfortable. Kijika and I got into a rhythm of providing massage, soft touch, bathing, offering food and water, and initiating movement and stretching for a more active labour. I’ve heard some men describe the birth of their kids as a time when they’ve 'never felt more useless' but I felt like there were endless ways to lend a hand and be useful, even though we obviously couldn't stop the pain of Kayla's labour. I am very much indebted to Kijika for that.

Kijika’s presence was also amazing because she helped advocate for Kayla’s birth plan. There were moments when the midwives and doctors explained aspects of intervention for the next parts of the labour. There were multiple instances where Kijika slowed those conversations down and made absolutely certain that Kayla was informed in her consent.

At one point, a bunch of medical students entered the room to observe the birth, something Kayla had made clear in her birth plan that she wasn’t comfortable with. In less than a minute, Kijika had respectfully told the midwife that Kayla didn’t want the students present and they were gone. It never got awkward or became an issue. I appreciated this hugely because I got to concentrate on supporting my partner without worrying about kicking people out of the room. When it came to acting as an intermediary between us and the medical staff, Kijika was absolutely phenomenal and invaluable.

On top of all that, Kijika brought her 35mm camera and took a whole bunch of beautiful film photos of the birth. I'm so happy we've got those, because I really wasn't in much of a state to take photos. At every step she was amazing, and I’m stoked that we can now call her a friend.

Kijika was supportive from day one, providing many helpful resources and empathetically listening to my thoughts and concerns.

She was an excellent advocate and encouraged me to listen to my body and intuition and assisted me with simplifying my birth plan. When she was going to be away for the weekend, she organised a stand-in doula who would be available, if I were to go into labour while she was away.

She was not only organised and professional in her dealings, but she provided a level of emotional support and understanding that was so important and needed during several difficult decisions I needed to make throughout my birth process.

At the hospital she brought delicious healthy and thoughtful snacks and gave amazing foot massages.

Her poetic and philosophical yet grounded communication style brought a lightness to the space and her humour was much appreciated. She took great photos throughout the hospital stay and during the post-partum visit.

She also provided support to my partner in the hospital setting and he was very appreciative of her presence. In the postpartum period Kijika attended our house and made us a nourishing meal and provided an opportunity to debrief. I would recommend Kijika in a heartbeat to support you during your birth and beyond, she is a great combination of solid knowledge around birthing and compassionate empathetic presence.