Photography by: Trina Cary Photography
Introduction
Can you give me a little background on yourself?
So much background but I’m originally from Perth Australia, moved to NYC when I was 20 for modeling I had a baby at 22 - a home birth that changed my world. Moved to Berlin at 23ish, became a single mother which sucked! Did my doula studies and certification in Austria and London. Met my now husband, had another beautiful girl and am currently working in the birth field and postpartum field. Forever growing and learning! My German is so bad still after living here so long.
Tell us a little about how you came to live in Berlin?
My first daughters father wanted to study art in Berlin and me just being a stay at home mother at the time I followed and always up for a new adventure, it was then there was just so much stress finding an apartment me transition from career’s which for me was a massive moment and big deal modeling wasn’t working in Berlin at the time and with no family support the stress for to much. I would love to one day move back to Aus and be grounded back to the earth in Perth but for now someone has other plans for us so I’m trusting our journey and rolling with it all.
What inspired you to become a doula?
My own birth! I had a doula and midwife present at my first birth. also someone who was a expat living in nyc so far away from home I had not much support and someone to guide and message on pregnancy stuff, fears, concerns was exactly what I needed. Also her support during the birth was just magic she held space and allowed me to reach my full potential it was Then when I did my studies this is so where I wanna be not realizing how hardcore doula work is thou (in a good way)
What inspired you to launch Mama Muun and how do you develop the recipes?
I was Tabea the Co founders doula for both her sons births so we really have a very special relationship. We have a friend in common and she started a postpartum Food Service in Melbourne she was the one that said we have to do this she really motivated us, we mostly get our recipe from what works with my previous clients as a postpartum doula, some of Jess recipe from her cook books “wholy goodness”, mainly what mothers need after birth nutrition wise, from our own personal experience and we create them all ourselves at the moment. It’s season based so we also go by what foods works for which season too.
How has being a mother impacted or influenced your career?
Ah yeah I mean tough question, I’m very busy and trying to balance everything I’m learning still. But recently it was Mother’s Day my 8 year old answers these questions on paper about me and it said what does mum do best? she said she working really hard. Showing kids hard work is important i think but also balance too. I guess having my second I was experienced mentally but not physically, we are never ready physically because it’s so different each time.
Pregnancy
What type of prenatal care do mothers receive? Is it a combination of OBGYN and midwife-led care? [I read that birth is midwife-led in Germany and that only in emergencies can Doctors help in childbirth without a midwife. Can you share any information on this?]
Generally you have a Frauenartz which is a woman doctor like a gyno, or you choose a midwife care which is this amazing thing called a beleghebamme which is your own personal midwife that is on call for you and comes to the birth that day with you, you an do prenatal meetings with her too as well as your doctor cab alternate pre care. Some woman choose only gyno support but as we all know the appointments are long and very rushed. They book up very fast the beleghebmame so you have to be before 11-12 weeks to book which is a shame and puts pressure on the woman who only maybe just found out about them. During the birth at the hospital you will get the midwife on duty and only a doctor comes in if there is Intervention needed or towards the end part of the birth.
As a doula can you share some of the ways that you prepare mothers both physically and psychologically for birth?
I think starting from the inside, working on trigger points, what clients relationship to their menstrual cycle and how that can relate to our body confidence, I’m not a therapist so I think mail thing for a doula is to listen and hold space. Guiding clients with information rather than fear based information is important too. Physically I always recommend to practice spinning babies exercises, choose a fitness they like, body checking in and mind checking in, we meet few times I don’t like to say how long for its more quality based than time based. I’m a professional friend in a way guiding them with local resources and reminding them that they are amazing! Because they have this internal confidence inside then they just haven’t accessed it yet and sometimes they don’t realise it till day of the birth, where transformation happens.
Are there any foods that are recommended for pregnant women to avoid during pregnancy?
I think it really comes down to culture. I think avoid high sugars, so only good sugars and fats.
Birth
Did you give birth in Germany?
My first daughter was born in New York at a home water birth, second babe was born in Berlin and was a home birth transfer, but a very positive one turns out I just needed some gas and air. I think its a good thing I had a long difficult second birth because now I look at my clients and go I know it hurts but you can do this. I gave birth within 2 hours being at the hospital and went home few hours later so felt like a home birth still. I pushed over an hour with Lenni and she was 4.2 kg posteria and born in her water sac so there was a lot going on. My first was 3.1 kg so I just never knew I could grow big babies.
What are your philosophies around birth?
I believe that having a conscious birth is possible by all, its not about having a all natural birth thats not what births about natural birth isn’t for everyone due to past traumas, health lots of difference reasons. So I like to say my aim is to make sure your heard, respected and treated with love in that room and if you don’t know your options you don’t have any, also you can have the most medicalised birth but have the best outcome because she knew her options all the way, there is still ways a woman or birthing person can be in charge of there own body by just asking questions. So I like to prepare clients and partner to speak loud and ask questions to get the answer they feel comfortable with. Also reminding them about there rights as a human and self advocacy!
What are your favourite ways to support a mother during birth?
All the ways!
Can you share anything about the hebammecocktail or the midwife’s cocktail for inducing birth? Do you use anything similar to naturally help labour?
As a doula myself I don’t encourage to take or ingest/insert anything as I’m not a medical professional (unless it’s sex with their partner) but in Germany there is this very interesting technique the home birth midwives use, where they dip oil (I think it’s uterus oil) into a tampon and the mother insets it and its almost a ripening oil as a gentle form of induction. They are very against castor oil here where is the USA for example my midwife suggested this to me. I would recommend my clients to have a relaxing massage, see a chiropractor , spinning babies (is babe engaged or facing the right way?) or osteopath there really is no natural form of induction though. Babies come when they need too.
I saw a photo on your Stories of a room with a bath under what looked like a ceiling covered in lights that looked like stars. Can you share a little bit about that - is that a place to give birth?!
Yes its a hospital called West End Hospital - birthing rooms in Berlin hospitals are pretty amazing. It has a very large tub, almost always (if asked) they have a birthing stool too. A fabric cloth hanging from the ceiling to hang off or use for pushing. The star like roof is magic! I don’t have a favourite hospital in Berlin because i’ve seen too many good and not so good things at the same hospitals so I support my client, what they need and also to respect my boundaries about protecting myself too. It comes down to the midwife and the doctor on duty at hospital “policies or philosophies“ don’t mean anything. It comes down to personality of the staff and the birthing persons attitude towards birth and her support people she brings with her.
Postpartum
I read that many hospitals in Germany conduct exercise classes to help you to get back into shape and offer healing measures such as sitting bath and Sunlamp therapy. Can you share anything about this? For example, I have never heard of sunlamp therapy before and am interested to know if the culture focuses on mother care and helping mothers heal post birth.
I’ve never heard this either. They do this more in other cities maybe but they have this amazing pelvic therapy courses which are 6-8 week courses covered by your health insurance. Where you learn how to care for your pelvic floor muscles its called a rückbulidung course! The midwives also could visit the newborn parents at their own home for up to 6-8 weeks - the first week they come daily to check health of baby and mother (fully covered by insurance too).
What do you personally believe were the most important things in aiding postpartum recovery both mentally and emotionally for yourself and your clients?
Cooking and holding baby while they sleep. Take a shower or just have a little them time. For me good quality whole foods and rest during postpartum is my main thing, the rest of course is important. Sometimes the partner can’t have too long off work so creating a postpartum plan is something we can control and can be helpful. Having professionals numbers on stand by, for example, lactation consultant. I think support is number one, having a supporting partner and family. If not you can hire a postpartum doula. In Germany most postpartum doulas are private, but some can be covered by insurance called a Mütterpflegerin, so they are like a postpartum doula, they cook, basic cleaning , support plus more!
“I think support is number one, having a supporting partner and family.”
Can you share a little bit about “Wochenbett” – week’s bed? Is it true that there is a German law that forbids doing any kind of work in the first eight postpartum weeks?
Yes the Germans are strict with this. You cannot leave the house either, they encourage the new mother to stay in bed for at least 5-6 weeks. A lot of the midwives I work with have a nice rule, first 2 week in bed and then move to the living room. It’s Important to not stand for to long building pressure on your uterus which has just gone through a lot, so when we stand after having babies we are not supporting the uterus at all.
In what ways do you think this “slowing down” during those first weeks is beneficial to new mothers?
Your body has just had a massive shift and change, and I think if you don’t take care of yourself in the first few weeks it really determines how the rest of your motherhood will go. It’s also the only real time we have an excuse (as sad as it sounds) to just eat, nourish, hydrate, heal, sleep and be in the newborn bubble.
Is it true that in German baby books, it often recommends that in order to get fresh air, the baby should be outside for a minimum of 30 minutes morning and afternoon? Is it typical to follow this advice?
Yes they are a big believers in fresh air, and I think it is great even in the winter. They also suggest baby to wear a beanie inside even in summer!
Breastfeeding
Germany
If you think the world could learn one thing about how Germans approach pregnancy, birth, & motherhood, what would it be?
I feel like the German mothers are very strong, so almost them asking for helps is sometimes impossible, often midwives say ‘you don’t need that’ when actually, times have changed a lot, we don’t have our families around all the time, and someone like a doula or postpartum doula can be so helpful for the new mother, this way of thinking has to change where we don’t have to suffer anymore we need to bring back to care
What is one piece of advice you would like to give other mothers?
There is no such thing as a ‘perfect mother’ - trust your intuition and find your mama tribe to go on this crazy wild ride with.