Alex Schifter
Birth and Postpartum Doula, Women’s circles, Mother blessings, Birthmapping, Birth and Postpartum Education
Services Melbourne and Melbourne’s North
she/her
About
I’m Alex, a mother to two incredible little people, a partner to an excellent human and an experienced doula and facilitator (I don’t love that word but I’m still landing on the right one!). I’m a curious, deeply feeling person who loves to laugh and connect. I’ve recently discovered I’m neurodivergent and it feels like I’m finally finding the many missing pieces of my puzzle. I’m comfortable with big feelings, love new experiences and connection and my hyperfocus skills are next level. I’m an extroverted introvert and can’t live without coffee and fizzy water.
My biggest initiation was that into motherhood. It decimated me, remade me and showed me it’s how we are made to feel through times of transformation that really stays with us.
I’ve been many women in this lifetime and I am sure I will be many more yet. I’m loving being in my 40s- aging is amazing and I am so curious about my next rite of passage and what it will teach me. I am all about celebrating our strengths and vulnerabilities, whatever they are, and love a good D&M (deep and meaningful, in case that’s now an acronym for something else I don’t know about!). I’m passionate about your rights (hello justice seeker) and reminding birthing families of their power.
I believe in you and in individualised continuity of care. You are worthy of being celebrated and my work is always guided by my values. I don’t support birth and postpartum just because I adore babies, but because I am mad about caring for mothers and families (though no denying it, the babies are adorable!)
As your companion, I don’t empower you, because you’re powerful already! I hold you, provide you with confidence, skills and information so that you own doing birth your way. We talk a lot about advocacy, rights, decision making, your needs and the resilience you have during pregnancy so that you can meet birth in an embodied way. This time is YOURS.
We will deep dive into the physiology of birth and postpartum, how we can prepare mentally, physically and emotionally and what you need to feel safe, heard and loved at every stage, which is completely unique to you!
We’ll look at birth and postpartum as a journey that can take many pathways, and plan for them. We’ll deep dive into what’s important for you and why, and focus on how you need to feel during this experience.
I’m always learning and deeply curious about holistic care for mothers, and connecting you with the resources you need. I love working with skilled individuals in the space who bring their own much needed expertise and care. We’ll build up a network of loved ones, health professionals, bodyworkers and supporters that feels aligned for you because you deserve your chosen village.
I’m a matrescence advocate and am passionate about providing neuroaffirming and trauma-sensitive care and I never make assumptions about the stories and experiences you hold.
Training and experience
Birth and Postpartum Doula Certificate (2021)
Birthmapping training with Catherine Bell
Rachel Rose ‘Together’ Circle Facilitator
Short courses in breastfeeding, physiological birth, optimal maternal positioning and postpartum care
Background working in education
Offerings
Pregnancy and Birth Support ($2999)
Continuous support through your pregnancy and birth. When we work together, you’ll understand birth and all the many pathways birth and postpartum can take. You’ll take responsibility for your learning and your choices and consider your options from an informed space.
We'll chat about hospital policy, your options and your right to choice and self advocacy. I’ll help you access the information you need to inform your decision making. We’ll reflect on all things you - your values, your experiences, your ideal and not so ideal versions of how this could all unfold. What you are needing from this experience and how your team can support you throughout. I’ll hold space for vulnerability, big feelings and everything else, because they will most certainly come up. I offer you my presence to meet it all - the discomfort, the vulnerability and the power - and embrace your birth and postpartum as an extension of you. I’ll centre you completely in the experience and hold your hands through the transformation you are going through. You'll feel worthy of care and worthy as a parent. I support families located within 45 minutes of Diamond Creek, a travel fee of $30 per session applies beyond this.
My support will include:
3 in person sessions (3 hours each) before birth tailored around you - from knowing what's important to you, birth education, exploring what makes you feel safe and planning for a restful postpartum.
Ongoing support from the time of booking via email and text.
Planning for all pathways that birth can take before you meet your baby.
On call from 38 weeks or as negotiated.
Labour and/or birth support up until 2 hours after your baby is born.
A postpartum visit to debrief your experience and celebrate you.
Pregnancy, Birth and Postpartum Support ($3799)
All the goodness of my pregnancy and birth support, PLUS I'll dote on you in postpartum, too!
Included is pregnancy support and birth attendance plus 9 hours of postpartum support. You are worthy of nourishing, wholehearted care to support you in integrating your experience and sitting in your power as a mother. We’ll prepare for postpartum and getting to know what's important for you, and you'll receive my 25-page postpartum planning resource. I support families located within 45 minutes of Diamond Creek, a travel fee of $30 per session applies beyond this.
In addition to the inclusions in the previous package we will have 3, 3-hour-long visits once your baby has landed. This support might practically look like:
Nourishing you with warming meals, one-handed snacks and teas and infusions prepared in your home.
Debriefing your experiences with a gentle, listening ear and holding space for all feelings you have.
Supporting with your newborn life, transitioning to parenthood and navigating matresence.
Referral to specialists and information you are seeking.
Creating space or rituals to honour your birth experience and integrate this into your new identity.
Running you a bath, holding baby while they sleep or light touch massage and foot soaks to facilitate relaxation.
Love, reassurance and the holding of space as you transition from maiden to mother, for the first or fifth time.
One off sessions
Mother Blessing (enquire for pricing)
Women’s circle (enquire for pricing)
Testimonials
Hiring Alex as our doula for our first baby was easily the best decision we made during my pregnancy. From our first conversation I knew Alex was the perfect fit for me and my baby. Being my first pregnancy I had a lot of concerns about interventions and not having the birth I wanted. My main desire was to have someone who could advocate for me in the hospital to ensure me and my wishes for my birth were respected.
Alex did all of of this but so much more. She helped my husband and I prepare for our birth with so much valuable information, resources and thoughtful conversations. She helped guide us to deciding what we most wanted from the birth. Leading up to birth I had a little scare about my baby’s size and was given little information about what this meant from the hospital and my GP. Alex supported me through this by providing me with information and also helping me process emotionally what this meant for me. My labour was a long three days and nights and Alex was by my side almost the entire time, either in person or a phone call away. She supported me so much physically but it was the emotional support during this time that was so incredibly valuable to me. Once in hospital Alex was a true advocate, asking the questions I wasn’t able to in amongst contractions. She continually communicated with the midwives and was able to relay information to me and ensure I knew exactly what was going on. In the end I had the low intervention birth I wanted and I know this very well may not have been the case were it not for Alex being with us at home and at hospital for my labor and birth. Her follow up home visits were also so wonderful.
Alex knows exactly what a new mum and dad needs. My wish is for every birthing woman to have access to a doula - you will not regret it! And Alex is an exceptional doula with so much knowledge, kindness and compassion. Can’t recommend her highly enough!
- Victoria
