Janet Horwell
Postpartum Doula | Postpartum Preparation | Pronouns: she/her | Based in Nelson/Tasman, Aotearoa | New Zealand. Supporting families online worldwide.
About
Kia ora, hello my name is Janet and I’m a mama to two beauties and I’m a postpartum doula and a matrescence practitioner. I deeply care about designing a better future for mothers where they are truly supported and no mother gets left behind or falls through the cracks of the system. 82% of mothers don’t meet criteria for a clinical diagnosis of postpartum depression, but they still deserve and need help navigating motherhood in this climate. If this is you, I’m here for you.
I have spent most of my adult life between Melbourne and Aotearoa/NZ so I feel at home in both of these places and continue to work and connect with mamas across the trans-tasman.
I now live in ‘The treehouse’ (rakau whare) in Nelson, at the top of the South Island where I look out to a hundred year old Oak tree where I am reminded daily of the transformation of motherhood and the ever changing seasons we pass through. The challenge and the beauty. And importantly, that every season is just a phase.
I got into postpartum and matrescence work because I want mothers to know there is another way. We can enjoy mothering and parenting, and we can grow, change and lean into our creativity and surround ourselves with the people that help us shine.
Before becoming a mother I worked in technology and corporate roles and this shift from a daily life focused around achievements and progress made it hard for me to understand and value the ancient craft of Mothering that I had found myself in. I remember asking my midwife if I had postpartum depression, because I felt so lost and didn’t feel like myself anymore. She assured me I didn’t, but I didn’t have a path to follow to find my way. I now realise I was one of those 82% of mothers who didn’t have a clinical diagnosis of postpartum depression, but was still really struggling to understand myself in motherhood.
I am so grateful for my new path - helping mothers recover after birth and find their way on their mothering journey, wherever it takes them and however it looks. I won’t let you fall through the cracks of the system and I will help you to find a path that is your own.
Training, Qualifications, Professional and Lived Experience
My experience in the postpartum and matrescence space has included some of the following:
Supporting solo parents, LBQTIA+
Second time parents juggling a newborn and toddler
Returning to work after a newborn or second child
Mental load
Formal Training and Education:
Matrescence Practitioner training with Matrescence Practitioner New Zealand
Motherhood Circle Facilitator - Rachael Rose
Postpartum doula training with Newborn Mothers
Circle of Security Parenting - Attachment Parenting by Brainwave Trust
First Aid Certificate
Working with childrens check
Human Centred Design, IDEO
Adaptive Leadership
Master of Communications, RMIT Australia
Packages and Offerings
Online Matrescence coaching
Online postpartum support
Online and in-person Matrescence circles. See my website for the next upcoming circles.
Birth Reflections | $165 online via zoom | BOOK NOWA birth reflection is for anyone who has felt that an experience of birth, either their own or a person you supported. These sessions are designed to move at your pace, with care and respect for what feels safe to explore.Do you want to:explore birth experiences whether recent or years agoprepare for an upcoming or future birthmake sense of how the birth happenedunderstand your current responses to the story unpack and understand medical decisionsunpack and understand your own choices throughout the process?You’re not expected to arrive with a clear story or questions. Sometimes this space is you talking and telling your story from start to end and other times it’s more organic and you might speak about particular parts of your experience that are remaining with you in an unresolved or unclear way.More offerings coming soon.
Areas Served
Online and Nelson/Tasman Aotearoa/NZ
Testimonials
“I found Janet's support made a huge difference in my first few weeks post partum. She has great empathy and genuinely cares for her clients. I had an extreme hormone drop a few weeks before her planned visit and she called me to provide support (where I just cried to her over the phone) and she sent links to helpful resources. She checked in with me multiple times after that as well. At her visit, she was happy to help with whatever i needed. She cooked, we went for a walk and had a great chat. The social connection from someone who really gets post partum and how hard it is made a difference too. Janet is not only warm and empathetic, but she has great insight and advice that she shares only if you're comfortable.I highly recommend her service, to give yourself an additional support post partum who will actually help and make a difference when you really need it!”
Who I am a great fit for
My support is best suited to Mothers who have been in the corporate or business world and are trying to find their rhythm in Mothering. This could be finding their way in the change of identity from maiden to mother - in adjusting from corporate achievement to finding purpose in motherhood. I also love helping with mental load challenges and mothers returning to work after their first or second baby.
Book an initial chat
If you are searching for a Birth Doula in Melbourne, private birth education or personalised antenatal classes, the best place to begin is with a free initial chat.
This is a relaxed 20 to 30 minute conversation where we can:
Explore what you are looking for
Discuss your pregnancy, previous experiences or concerns
Clarify whether private birth education or postpartum support feels like the right fit
Answer any questions about how I work
There is no pressure and no expectation. Just a genuine opportunity to connect and see whether we align.
You can book your initial chat via Radiant Birth using the link below.
Related Radiant Birth Services
If you are exploring birth education and postpartum preparation, you may also be interested in:
All services are designed to provide evidence informed, holistic preparation for pregnancy, birth and early parenting.
