About Us
At Hold The Mother, we believe that when a baby is born, so too is a mother and she deserves to be gently held during this time of immense change. Our name reflects our purpose: to hold you, the mother, with care, reverence and steadiness through the powerful transitions of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.
A Doula offers more than just support — they bring calm presence, practical care, emotional steadiness, and unwavering encouragement. Each doula on our team brings her own unique strengths and passions, offering personalised care tailored to your needs, values, and circumstances.
Whether it’s birth support, help around the home, navigating early motherhood, identifying potential challenges and offering resolutions, or connecting you to trusted support networks, we’re here to honour your space and walk alongside you.
We take the time to understand what matters most to you. We listen, deeply, and offer gentle guidance that helps you return to your own inner intuition.
Because to hold the mother is to support the whole family.
When the Mother is nurtured, heard, and resourced, she can meet her journey into Motherhood with strength and softness. That’s what we’re here for.
The word Doula comes from the Greek word doulē, the meaning of which translates to ‘serve women’.
A Doula holds the mother.
Meet Our Team
Molly Knowles, Postpartum Doula + Founder
My approach
I am deeply passionate about women's health, particularly in life after birth. I focus on the mother, celebrating her, and work to create a proactive, positive and supportive postpartum experience for her and her family. When the mother is cared for, her entire family and her community thrive.
I hold space, offer emotional and practical support both virtually and in person. My work centres around four pillars of postpartum care - Nourishment, Rest and Self Care, Recovery and Community. I adore working with mothers and their families of all kinds, to nourish and nurture - what an honour it is to be invited into such a tender time.
I support families with:
Postpartum Preparation: Confidence building, education on what to expect
1:1 Postpartum Care: In-depth, personalised care to hold you, in your postpartum
Virtual Doula Support: A friendly face online to move through the seasons with you
Doula Mentoring: Gentle encouragement and strategy sessions for emerging or curious Doulas
Ceremonies: Mother Blessing and Closing Ceremonies to honour your experience
Events, Education and Community Building: Cultivating the village and providing accessible information and resources
My qualifications
Bachelor in Public Health and Health Promotion
Extensive experience of over 15 years in Supportive Care, the importance of proactive care models and evidence based resources and information
Certified Postpartum Doula
Completed in 2020 with Newborn Mothers, trained to provide exceptional care to families in the fourth trimester, with focus on tending to the physical and emotional needs of the Mother
Continuously updating skills in the following areas:
Postpartum Nutrition (The Postpartum Kitchen Apprenticeship, 2020), Sleep Support (Making Waves, 2025), Ceremonies and Circle Facilitation (2024) and Breastfeeding Master Class (2025)
I am continuously learning from experts in the space, to confidently share evidence based knowledge with our community.
A little more about me
While I feel this work blends into my motherhood story, when I am not supporting clients, I am adoring on my two gorgeous little babes Jude (5) and Remi (3) who keep me busy.
I love moving my body, and the calm it offers my nervous system. I love food, and the way it fuels the body, but also brings joy and connection.
My house is messy, and I am riding the wave of early parenthood with you. I am from a big family and I am surrounded by the most beautiful village of family and friends, and this is what I want to share within my work. Community is so important to me, and I am keen to be part of yours.
Molly Knowles is a certified Postpartum Doula, Circle Facilitator and Community Builder, offering essential support to families across Melbourne’s north east.
I’m Molly, it’s so lovely to have you here.
Hold The Mother was born in 2020 following my own experience of entering Motherhood. It was completely life altering. It shattered me into a million pieces only to be placed back together with awareness of what mothers actually need in postpartum and early motherhood. Dedicated care, a community to wrap around her as she emerges from one of the biggest physical and emotional transitions life offers.
I became totally obsessed with learning about Pregnancy, Birth and Postpartum and completed my studies to become a Certified Postpartum Doula. I built Hold The Mother around nap time, a second pregnancy and postpartum, and have since supported over 50 families and built our incredible community.
I offer supportive care to families in the North East suburbs of Melbourne and Virtually. I believe I bring a calming presence into the home, and intuitively move through each season with you, while providing the practical, physical and emotional care you need to thrive.
Tori Polson, Birth + Postpartum Doula
Hi, I’m Tori.
I’m a Birth and Postpartum Doula based in Eltham North, serving families across Melbourne’s north east. I offer care that is grounded, gentle, and centred around the mother, through pregnancy, birth and those early postpartum months when everything is new and tender.
My focus is on you. Your experience. Your needs. Your story. When mothers feel supported and seen, the whole family benefits.
Whether you are preparing for birth, looking for someone to be by your side during labour or finding your rhythm with a newborn, I offer holistic and personalised support for this big, beautiful season of change.
My journey into this work
When my first daughter was born in 2016, everything changed. It wasn’t just the arrival of a baby it was the beginning of a whole new version of me. That experience sparked a deep curiosity about what mothers really need as they move through pregnancy, birth and beyond.
Since then I’ve spent the past few years learning, listening and showing up for mothers in this space. I bring together my lived experience and professional training to support women with care that’s compassionate, practical and real.
My approach
I believe birth is a rite of passage and one that deserves to be met with presence, support and respect. I offer care that’s grounded, emotionally attuned and tailored to each family. There’s no one-size-fits-all here, and no expectations about how things should look.
I support families with
Birth preparation: Clear, confident and individualised guidance
Labour and birth support: Calm, continuous care throughout labour and birth
Postpartum care: Nourishing, practical and emotional support in the early weeks and months
Matrescence mentoring: Space to explore the identity shift of becoming a mother
Aware Parenting tools: Gentle strategies for connection and attunement with your baby
My qualifications
Certified Birth and Postpartum Doula
Trained to provide in-person support throughout labour, birth and the postpartum period, with a strong focus on emotional safety and personalised care
Seasons of Matrescence® Educator and Guide
Specialised training in the emotional and psychological changes of becoming a mother, including identity, values, relationships and personal growth
Aware Parenting Instructor
Certified in a respectful and connected parenting approach that supports emotional awareness, deep connection and healing for both parents and children
A little more about me
I live in Eltham North with my husband and two daughters, where life is full, messy and beautiful. I love slow mornings, spacious days and meaningful connection with other women and mothers. I believe in honest conversations, warm cups of tea and reminding each other we’re doing better than we think.
Tori Polson is a certified Birth and Postpartum Doula, Matrescence Educator and Aware Parenting Instructor, offering holistic support to families across Melbourne’s north east.
Jen Vezzaro, Nutritionist + Doula
Hi, I'm Jen.
I am a degree qualified nutritionist and a postpartum doula. My philosophy for postpartum nutrition is for it to be easy, realistic and nourishing. I want to empower you to feel good through your nutrition and wellness practices so that you're able to get through the beautiful chaos that is postpartum and motherhood.
I know firsthand just how hard it is to keep up with your nutrition and also how easy it is to feel depleted and exhausted during postpartum and beyond.
Nutrition can have a powerful impact on your postpartum journey and I am here to educate, support, guide and nourish you.
My approach
I believe that every mother deserves to feel good. There are many moments in postpartum and motherhood that are uncontrollable, however nutrition and wellness practices are aspects that we can control.
I offer personalised support to help you to feel nourished and to prioritise your healing and well-being through nutritional practices. Nutrition and wellness is personal and my individual approach allows you and your family to feel heard and to ensure a balanced and positive approach.
My goal is to make nutrition manageable, not stressful for your day-to-day life. My holistic, balanced and flexible approach allows me to keep up to date with the evidence whilst also combining all aspects and the realities of motherhood.
My services include
I support mothers with:
Virtual Nutrition Consultations: Personalised, evidence based and supportive discussions to help you move through postpartum, whether you are wanting to be proactive, or feeling the effects of postpartum depletion and wanting a specific plan in place to feel good. Initial Consultations and Follow Up Consultations, offering continuity of care, inspiration and motivation.
My qualifications
Bachelor of Health Science (Nutrition and Exercise)
Completed in 2023 with a focus on general and public health through the life stages. This degree showcased the importance of health, nutrition and exercise with it's role in promoting health and preventing disease.
Certified Postpartum Doula
Completed in 2023 through Newborn Mothers. Trained to provide physical and emotional support during the fourth trimester with amajor focus on supporting the mother.
A little more about me
Going through my own postpartum ups and downs with my two kids Luca (nearly 5) and Amelia (1.5), really opened my eyes to the impact that nutrition can have, both positive and negatively. I started focusing on my health and targeting specific nutrition and wellness practices to help me in feeling good day to day (even when I couldn't control much with two young kids!)
I come from a big, loving and loud Greek family and that village around me has really shaped who I am a mother and person and also shaped my love for food.
I love to watch the real housewives and most reality TV shows. I love a long nature walks and listening to podcasts. When I am not fueling my body nutritionally, I am fueling my soul with a nice bowl of vanilla ice-cream and chocolate brownie or pudding on the couch when the kids are finally asleep!
I am right there with you in the thick of the chaotic days of motherhood. I hope that I can be a gentle reminder that looking after yourself is not only important, it is very necessary. You deserve to feel good.
Jen Vezzaro is a certified Nutritionist and Doula, offering proactive and compassionate support to Mothers across Australia and the world.
Join our Community
We believe so strongly in building a community of care for the Mother. To do this, we have a strong referral list of services near and far that offer the highest quality of care. Including IBCLCs, Osteopaths, Physiotherapists, Psychologists, Cleaners, Nutritionists, Babysitters, Acupuncturists, Mum and Bub Exercise Classes and many more. Our Clients have access to all of our contacts.
If you work in this space of Mother centered care, we would love to hear from you!
