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Home ยป Kids ยป Mums & Babies ยป How a doula can help if you are having a baby in Hong Kong

How a doula can help if you are having a baby in Hong Kong

30 September, 2017 by Expat Living 3 Min Read

https://expatliving.hk/doula-baby-hong-kong/

Childbirth is one of the most physically and emotionally taxing times of a womanโ€™s life, and having strong support in place is key to a positive birth experience. As a doula, Jeanne Hauguel of Birth Story advocates on behalf of the parents-to-be who work with her.

A doula can provide support during your labour
A doula can provide support during childbirth and beyond

โ€œA doula is a professional trained in childbirth, who provides emotional, physical and educational support to a mother who is expecting a baby, is experiencing labour, or has recently given birth,โ€ she says. While they donโ€™t provide medical care, doulas are knowledgeable in the medical aspects of labour and birth. โ€œThis means they can help parents gain a better understanding of procedures and complications that may arise in late pregnancy or during birth,โ€ says Jeanne. โ€œWe help parents get prepared for the most memorable day of their life!โ€

An extra advocate in hospital

Unlike in other countries, where a midwife-supervised home birth can be an option, most women who give birth in Hong Kong will deliver their baby in a hospital. This can mean seeing a constant stream of medical professionals, which can be unnerving and distracting for labouring mums. Jeanne explains that additional support can be invaluable. โ€œA doula acts as an advocate for the mother, encouraging her in her desires for her birth; unlike most medical professionals, they are with you throughout the process. They can provide comfort with pain relief techniques such as breathing, massage and optimal labour positions. They also encourage participation from the partner while offering reassurance,โ€ she says.

And what about mothers who are deliberating between delivering in a public or private hospital? โ€œIn a private hospital, so long as the motherโ€™s obstetrician is OK to have a doula in the birthing room, then we can stay throughout labour and birth. In public hospitals, only one accompanying person is allowed in the delivery room. The partner will go with the woman while I stay available by phone.โ€ She adds that parents delivering in a public hospital often hire a doula to support labour at home, โ€œfor as long as the mother feels comfortable to do so, or until she is showing signs of active labour. I help them transfer to the hospital when they are ready.โ€

Support for any type of delivery

Does Jeanneโ€™s support also extend to mothers who are delivering via planned or emergency caesarean section? โ€œOf course! Parents having a C-section need support as much as parents aiming for a natural birth. The goal of a doula is to help parents have a positive and safe birth experience, whether they chose an unmedicated, medicated or caesarean delivery.โ€

So, when should expectant parents looking for more information and support get in touch with a doula? โ€œAny time, really! Some parents need reassurance from very early in pregnancy,โ€ Jeanne says.โ€œOthers feel the need to speak to a doula when they reach the end of the second trimester and start planning antenatal classes. Some will book doulas right at the last minute, although of course it can be difficult to ensure availability!โ€

And the support doesnโ€™t stop once the baby arrives. โ€œAfter birth, doulas can spend time helping parents to care for their newborn, helping with the breastfeeding process and encouraging bonding between the new baby and family members.โ€ Finally, Jeanne says that theย doulaโ€™sย purpose is โ€œto help women have a safe, memorable, and empowering birthing experience.โ€ And that sounds like support that all parents-to-be can benefit from.

Jeanneโ€™s 3 top tips for expectant parents in Hong Kong

#1 Choose your doctor and hospital wisely according to your needs and birth wishes.

#2 Consider hiring a doula for antenatal classes, labour and birth support, and postpartum help, to ensure that your birth experience will be positive, loving and empowering.

#3 Even if you choose not to work with a doula during the birth, itโ€™s worthwhile having their contact details for afterwards. We often need help and the postpartum experience is just as important as the birth itself.

Birth Story

doulabirthstory.com

This article first appeared in the August/September 2017 issue of Expat Living magazine.ย Subscribe nowย so you never miss an issue.

Looking for a babymoon destination? How about one of these relaxing tropical holiday destinations

Categories: Kids Mums & Babies Tags: Babies Childbirth Doula Mothers Parenting

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Thanks Julianna for this delicious 
Easy Blueberry Oreo Cheesecake to start the weekend!
Serves 4, or 2 if you're hungry๐Ÿ˜‰

Preparation time: 15 mins Ingredients:
โ€ข 6 digestive biscuits
โ€ข 50g butter 
โ€ข 250g cream cheese (1 brick) 
โ€ข 6 Oreo biscuits
โ€ข 125g blueberries (1 box)
โ€ข 100g milk or whipped cream 
โ€ข 5 tablespoons sugar

Instructions:
For crust:
1. Crush digestive biscuits in a big bowl and add melted butter.
2. Press together at the base of the cake mould.
3. Set aside to cool.

For filling: 
1. Beat cream cheese, sugar and milk or whipped cream on medium speed in a bowl until it is smooth and creamy. 
2. Add crushed Oreos and beat until they mix evenly. 
3. Pour the filling over the cooled crust.
4. Freeze for two hours and top with blueberries!๐Ÿซ
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Recipe: Flourless Pecan Cranberry Brownie

Ingredients

Brownie base:

2 servings of Nuzest Clean Lean Chocolate Protein
1.5 cup of pumpkin puree
1 cup of hazelnut butter or almond *
1/2 cup of raw dark cacao powder
1/2 cup of chopped pecans
1/3 cup of dehydrated cranberries
2 teaspoons of Manuka honey ** Optional
White chocolate drizzle:

1/3 cup of melted cacao butter
2 tablespoons of cashew nut butter
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
1-2 teaspoons of Erythritol
Dark chocolate drizzle:

1/3 cup of melted cacao butter
2 tablespoons of cashew nut butter
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
1 tablespoon of coconut oil
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1 teaspoon of Erythritol
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Brownie base:

Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius.
Grease a square baking tray with coconut oil and line tray with parchment paper.
In a large blender, mix all the brownie ingredients together until smooth.
Pour the brownie mix into the pan and bake in the oven for 20 minutes.
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Chocolate drizzle:

You will need two separate mixing bowls for the white and dark chocolate drizzle.
Melt the cacao butter at low temperature and mix with the rest of the ingredients.
Pour the chocolate drizzle over the cooled brownies.
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Good morning! Weโ€™ve got another delicious recipe from @charissa_and_co_wellness ๐Ÿ’•

Recipe: Persimmon Vanilla Chia Porridge

Serves 2

Ingredients

PERSIMMON-VANILLA-CHAI-PORRIDGE.jpg
Chia Vanilla Milky Layer:

1/2 cup of chia Seeds
1.5 cup of coconut milk
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
2 servings of Nuzest Clean Lean Protein Vanilla 
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2 Medjool dates
2 slices of fresh persimmon
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1 whole persimmon chopped
1/2 cup of coconut yoghurt
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Instructions

Chia Vanilla Milky Layer:

Blend all the ingredients together apart from the chia seeds.
Once the mix is well blended, add the chia seeds and mix well. Place in a glass jar and leave overnight in the fridge.
Persimmon Coconut Porridge Layer:

Blend all the ingredients together until creamy and smooth. Place in a glass jar, leave overnight in the fridge.
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