Frequently Asked Questions
Where are you based and what area do you service?
Hold The Mother is based in Greensborough/Eltham — North/East Melbourne and service the areas within 30 mins and up to 60 mins for birth support. We also provide virtual support if you are not within the service area.
What's your certification?
Molly has a Bachelor Degree in Public Health and Health Promotion with over 10 years experience in community supportive care, completed her Postpartum Doula training with Newborn Mothers, the Together Course by Rachel Rose, Breastfeeding Education by JWP and the Postpartum Kitchen Apprenticeship.
Tori has completed her Postpartum Doula training with Birth Right Training Academy, is due to complete her Birth Attendant studies with Rhea Dempsey, she is also an Aware Parenting Instructor, The Together Course by Rachel Rose, Seasons of Matrescence® Educator and Guide training with Nikki McCahon.
Jen has completed a Nutrition Degree and specialises in Women’s Health, as well as completing her Postpartum Doula training with Newborn Mothers.
We are always looking for ways to up skill and bring education, research and quality supportive care into our work. We are trained in First Aid and have our WCC.
Who are your services for?
Our work is focuses on care in pregnancy, birth, postpartum and in the depths of motherhood. Mothers deserve support across the journey, wherever you are at - we promise to meet you there, with empathy and care.
While our name literally mean’s to Hold The Mother, it is important to highlight that we support the entire family, partners, siblings, newborns - because when the mother thrives, her entire circle benefits.
We also work closely with our community to offer events and workshops that bring connection and support. We believe in the village, and offer support in building yours.
What is covered within your Doula work? What is not covered?
A doula is a trained professional who provides continuous physical, practical, emotional and informational support to their client before, during and after birth.
Countless scientific trials examining doula care demonstrate remarkably improved physical and psychological outcomes for both pregnant, birthing and postpartum people and their baby. Doulas have a positive impact on the well-being of the entire family.
When we look at out birth support, our essential role is to provide continuous support, no matter what decisions our client makes or how they give birth. Importantly, a doula’s role and agenda are tied solely to the birthing person’s agenda.
In other words, our primary responsibility is to the birthing person - not to a hospital administrator, nurse, midwife, or doctor. We will focus on providing you with physical, emotional and informational support throughout your labour. This may look like a labour massage; providing you with reassurance, encouragement and emotional support; or providing evidence-based information or guidance for decision-making during your birth.
We will work with you to support your birth preferences and respect your choice - we do not have any agenda and offer non-judgmental support. Our job is to help you make choices that are right for you - what those choices end up being are not important, so long as they are yours. Doulas are trained to support births - at home, in the hospital, with midwives or doctors, medication free or with pain medication, vaginal or caesarean. At Hold The Mother, we are not qualified to provide support to those choosing to Free birth without medical professionals present.
It is important to understand that a Doula is not a medical care provider. We do not offer medical advice or provide clinical treatments, make decisions for you, or pressure you to make a particular choice for your care. Doulas do not perform clinical tasks like monitoring your blood pressure or checking your baby's heart rate.
As experienced Doula’s we know where our boundaries are and when a client needs to be referred to a specific health professional, whether it be GP, Midwife, Lactation Consultant, Women’s Health Physiotherapist, Psychologist when appropriate.
When we work in the Postpartum space, it is worth noting that our aim is to provide you with nurturing, personalised care in a period of time that often feels tender. By working together in the lead up to your postpartum, we gather an understanding of how you would like to be cared for, what are your priorities and how can we centre you during this period of time.
Do you have insurance?
Yes, the HTM team have specific individualised insurance that supports the needs of the work we offer, and our clients.
Can we meet before we work together?
Of course! Establishing a trusting, comfortable relationship prior to working together is essential. We would want to make sure we have the same vibe, and are on the same page. We offer a 20 min free phone call to get to know each other. We can always arrange a face-to-face coffee date if you need a little more before booking. You can book directly on via the Bookings page on the website.
Can I customise the care to suit my needs and budget?
Each of our Packaged Services - Deep Doula, Embrace Doula, Held Doula, are customisable. We strongly believe in the value of the number of sessions set within each package, offering continuity of care, time to share information and prepare.
You have the option to add on meal packages (the first one is always included).
You have the choice on when you would like to lock in your sessions, and we work with you help you figure out when you need support most. or example as soon as you return home from hospital, once your partner returns back to work.
Return clients receive a discount on additional sessions booked, plus discounts on any other service - Ceremonies and Virtual Support.
Do you offer payment plans?
Yes, we also offer payment plans to help you budget for postpartum care. A retainer payment it required at the time of booking, and we then collect final payment closer to your expected birth date/our start date.
How do I get my partner on board?
We get this ALL the time and we totally get it.
Your partner will be SO great at stepping into his role as a dad/mum, with support and learnings. It is a huge transition for both of you. While our care centres around the mother as the change trough pregnancy, birth and postpartum is HUGE - the flow on effect from the support she receives will reach the entire family. We will ensure the fridge is full so nobody needs to worry about dinner, tidy the home to create a sanctuary for the whole family to rest when sleep deprived, provide an extra set of hands so that both of you have time for yourselves - and for each other. We will be the anchor that enables a positive, empowering experience for both of you.
This is an investment into the most incredible chapter of your lives.
What happens if my little one arrives 'early' or 'late'?
Baby is going to baby! For many, we have no idea when baby will arrive, we have an estimated date and we can work with this. We will usually book your first session one week after your due date, and we allow flexibility in my schedule to move sessions if we need to.
With Birth Support, being ‘On Call’ is part of both the Embrace and Held packages, meaning for 2 weeks before your EDD and two weeks after, Tori will be on call for your birth.
How do you go with dietary requirements?
Our menu is focused on foods that will nourish and fuel hungry, tired parents. We can certainly adapt and cater to dietary requirements.
If you select meal bundles in your package, the package includes: 2 x Main Meals, 2 x Snack.
We often lean on Postpartum Meal services near us, like Kates Here Now, Emily The Doula or New Bub Club to provide meals to our clients.
When should I book a Nutrition Consultation?
Jen offer nutrition support to mothers in pregnancy, postpartum and in motherhood - each season requires different nutritional needs. Whatever your priority is, whether it is support in pregnancy to prepare for postpartum, suffering from postpartum depletion or wanting guidance as you move through motherhood — Jen’s personalised service will support you.
Can I organise support as a gift?
You sure can, we love this! We offer gift vouchers to a dollar amount, or we can work together to build something special for the mum in mind.
When should I book your Services?
We recommend booking in as early as you can.
We have limited availability for 1:1 Birth and Postpartum support to ensure our clients get the very best service from us.
Many of our clients will book in the first trimester, we are then connected and supporting you through the whole journey. You can book a connection call to explore what support looks like for you.
It is also important to note, that it is never to late to seek postpartum support, whether you have a newborn or 5 months in, our care is for you.
What about your ceremonies?
Our Mother Blessing Ceremonies and Closing Ceremonies are beautiful celebrations at different stages of your motherhood journey - we have limited availability so do recommend connecting with us early to secure your date. You can read more about both of these offerings on our Service page, including what’s involved, investment and time required.
We adore holding space for mothers.
Got another question?
Please email us at hello@holdthemother.com.au - we would love to hear from you!
