October Reflections: Turning Towards Postnatal Support

Ânia Freitas
20 minutes ago
2 min read

Welcome October! The air feels crisper, the evenings darker, and the first golden leaves are starting to fall. Autumn always invites us to slow down, rest, and nourish ourselves with comforting, warm food. Just like the seasons shift, I’ve been noticing shifts in my own doula work here in Belfast too.

For the past few years, I have been offering both birth and postnatal support. But this year, I’ve felt a strong calling to focus more on pregnancy conversations (I prefer that term over “preparation”) and, most importantly, on postnatal doula support in Belfast. Supporting families in those first precious weeks after birth is something that makes deep sense to me and it brings me so much joy and fulfilment.

Looking ahead, I’ll be reducing my birth doula work even further next year so I can devote more energy to helping parents settle into life with their new baby. Being a postnatal doula in Belfast means I can walk alongside families as they recover from birth, adjust to new rhythms, and find their own unique way of parenting.

A Small Update

Some of you may know that I have also been a member of Doula UK for a couple of years, as well as their European Doula Network (EDN) representative. Over the past year, I felt it was time to step back from Doula UK, and I have now cancelled my membership. While I am no longer their EDN rep, I remain an active volunteer within EDN’s social media team. I love this collective of doulas across Europe and even though we’re scattered, our teamwork is strong and inspiring.

A Stormy October Day

Yesterday, was one of those days that remind me how lucky we are to have the little comforts of home. Due to Storm Amy, schools closed early, and like many parents and carers, I had to pick up the kids in the rain. After a windy 20-minute walk home, we changed into cosy pyjamas, warmed up with lunch (the school-packed meal that tasted even better at home), and cuddled on the sofa. Sometimes the simplest moments are the sweetest and made me feel super grateful.

Gathering With Doulas

It’s hard to believe that it’s already been a week since the EDN meeting in Vilnius. It feels like both a lifetime ago and just yesterday. I’ll be sharing a few photos here so you can catch a glimpse of what this wonderful annual gathering of doulas feels like.