Valuing Mothers Before, During and After Birth

Freedom Births
Your Taranaki Doula

Looking for someone who understands? Who has been there before? Hi, I'm Carol Burroughs a mother of 8 children, (1 husband!). My passion is not to inspire you to have 8 as well, (unless you want to!), but to be a living testimony to mothers. Restoring hope and offering relief. Providing a care plan tailored to You, Your baby and partner.

Carol Burroughs

CD (DONA)

My passion in life is to help women and their partners to experience pregnancy, birth and those first days of babyhood in a positive, empowered and nurturing way. As a qualified doula (a non-medical person who provides emotional and physical support and practical help and advice to parents-to-be), I can help you have a birthing experience you can treasure. 

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Having birthed eight children of my own (one induced birth, one water birth, a home birth and several natural hospital births) I have extensive personal experience in childbirth!

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I became a certified doula in early 2017 and have completed further training in breast-feeding support, perinatal mental health and holistic support therapies. I am always looking for further opportunities to learn about how I can support my clients and their partners.

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I love what I do and regard supporting you and your partner during this very special time in your lives as a privilege to be honoured.

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Services

My passion as a doula

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I love giving you time...

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💙 Time to share..
💙 Time to reflect..
💙 Time to work out what's worrying you and causing anxiety..
💙 Time to look forward and plan.. 💙 Time to discover your rich inner resource 💙 and time to face what you need to face..
💙 Time to be loved..
💙 It all takes time - and is one of my greatest resources and gifts to you 🌷

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To find out how I can support you to have the best possible birth for you, contact me...

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Personal Doula Service

As your doula I give emotional and practical support to you and your partner through pregnancy, throughout labour and during the first days of your baby's life.

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We get to know each other by making time to talk so you can share your thoughts, hopes, dreams and anxieties about your upcoming birth.

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* You experience total commitment from me; an experience where you are honoured, and respected in a time of vulnerability. Where our relationship is honoured & valued due to time spent together beforehand, building trust and connection.
* You will feel supported, empowered, and accomplished because together we’ve practiced breathing, rebozo techniques, relaxing, movement, and voice together.
* Your partner also feels empowered, part of the birth, and supported, able to help and enter your birth space if he wants to.
* In the privacy of your own home we cover-

Role of hormones, Practical comfort measures using your 5 senses, How to prepare your Glamour Bag for labour, Simple daily strategies to help baby get and stay in a good position, Breathing techniques, Birth positions, and How you can incorporate what brings you joy, pleasure, freedom and creativity into Your labour and birth.

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Two weeks before your due date I am on call just for you! I am available to support you right through from early labour to delivery, regardless if that requires a transfer to hospital or a home birth.

I offer practical advice to help facilitate a smoother and more effective labour, and am happy to provide reassurance and encouragement to partners on what THEY can do to help you!

I am also there to fill birthing pools, make refreshments, facilitate phone calls and do any other small task that may help at the time.

Once baby has arrived, I come and visit to give breastfeeding help, practical tips on caring for a newborn and also provide an opportunity to talk about your birthing experience.

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For more information see  "What I offer in Prenatal appointments."

Birthing With Passion Classes

1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th baby?

Need a refresher class? We cover -

* The role of hormones during labour
* How to use your 5 senses and movement for pain relief
* Using a rebozo (Mexican shawl)
* How partners can support
* How to set up your birth space

Many people want a natural birth but don't know how to prepare their mind and body for one. There is so much you can do.

"You don't have to walk through the hospital door asking for an epidural co that's all you know." Come and discover what a Glamour Bag is and how to fill it with your own personal supports for labour and birth. Feel empowered, prepared and supported. 

Birthing with Passion is relaxed and informative using movement, breathing, vocalization, visualization and other practical techniques which enable you to have the personal birth experience you seek.

Welcome pack with free samples for all couples!!

Bookings are essential as class sizes are limited.


Can't come that night? I also offer personalised classes in your own home. Email me for details.🌷

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“I really enjoyed the class and learned so much. Very informative and would love to go to another! I’m looking forward to birth because you gave so much great info and props and exercises to use during labour." Anna Singh

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“After experiencing a traumatic birth with my second child, I was full of anxiety about giving birth to my third baby. Carol from Freedom Births was amazing at calming my fears and helping install excitement back in me.
Carol's 'Birthing with Passion' class was highly informative, from learning about the roles hormones play in our body through role play to fantastic tips and tricks that help make the birthing process more enjoyable.
Carol has a beautiful, calming manner and is extremely knowledgeable in all she does.
I thoroughly recommend Carol's services to all pregnant women and their birthing partners.”  Dianna Smith

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“As a first timer I had no idea what to expect or the best way to approach the situation. After the class I can walk away knowing the best strategies to help with the birth." Daniel McKelery

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 Postpartum Support

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Feeling engulfed by washing... emotions...baby's...siblings...and "information overload" ?
 

Looking for someone who understands motherhood? Who doesn't have all the answers but has been there before? Someone with a listening ear offering an oasis of peace and calm...a tranquility you desire. Bringing the comfort and support you so desire but seem just out of reach. You don’t have to keep pretending that all is well when reality is quite different.
 

“Living my passion - so you can live yours” is not just a tagline – it’s my passion and life’s calling.
 

 Restoring hope, offering relief.
 

I would be honoured to serve you. Enabling you to trust your intuition and do motherhood YOUR way.
 

Maybe you don't want someone to come in and just take over after you've had your baby - maybe you just need a friend to come alongside, who's happy to walk in and take you and your house as you are.

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No set agenda other than seeing what needs doing. On a practical level, helping with meals, folding washing, listening, giving you space, helping you build a network of support so you can have the confidence, energy and joy in this - your most precious time. 

No judgement, no need to tidy up before. Acceptance and friendship. Compassion and a knowing that I've been there before.

Believe me I have!

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Reaching out is your first step to receiving. All you have to do is ask 🌷

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One thing that has become very clear to me is the value of a Postpartum Doula!  I truly, really see and FEEL the value in it. Each parent has a care plan perfectly tailored to THEM and THEIR BABY. This is not google searching "How do I get my baby to sleep?"

It's having someone actually physically there to help with a fussy baby, to help make a plan for finding support and building that support village, helping find resources, giving a desperately needed break, and helping find peace and joy as YOU know and want it.

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I'm living my passion so you can live yours 💙

Personalised packages available to suit every family.

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TENS Machine Hire

A TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) unit can naturally help reduce your pain during labour and childbirth by stimulating your body to produce ‘feel good’, and natural pain-killing hormones (endorphins).

Portable and non-invasive, it allows you to stay mobile during labour and totally in control of your pain relief. There are no lasting side-effects so is safe to use for both yourself and your baby.

Hirage is for four weeks ( pick up two weeks before your due date and return two weeks after)

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