« I don’t care what kind of birth you have… A homebirth, a scheduled caesarean, an epidural hospital birth or if you give birth alone in the woods next to a baby deer.
I care that you had options, that you were supported in your choices and that you were respected.”*
January Harshe – Birth without fear
* "Peu importe le type d'accouchement que vous vivez : à la maison, une césarienne programmée, avec péridurale à l'hôpital, ou seule dans les bois à côté d'un faon. Ce qui compte pour moi, c'est que vous ayez eu le choix, que vous ayez été soutenue dans vos décisions, et que vous ayez été respectée."
WHAT IS A DOULA?
The word "doula" comes from ancient Greek and means "in service of" . It refers to those women who, throughout history, have accompanied other women during the period surrounding childbirth, providing them with support and comfort , while informing and caring for them.
A doula provides non-medical support to expectant and/or new parents before, during, and after birth. She offers a safe and supportive space , offering availability , emotional, practical, informational, physiological, and psychological support to (expectant) parents and their families during this transformative time. She is "at your service," and her support is tailored to each individual's needs .
A doula does not perform any medical procedures. Her support is not a substitute for healthcare professionals. On the contrary, she works in collaboration with them. Thus, she is hired by (expectant) parents as a complement to midwife or gynecological care.
The doula is a resource person, a close and reassuring presence for the mother and her partner.
My convictions as a doula
Here are the core, unshakeable convictions on which I base my practice as a doula:
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A woman's body holds the innate knowledge to create life, and then to bring that new life into the world.
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The baby instinctively knows how to be born.
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Birth is a physiological, intimate, and safe process that belongs to the mother and father.
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A conscious, informed pregnancy allows the mother, father, and parents-to-be to prepare for a respected birth, aligned with their own convictions.
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The father (or co-parent, or partner) has an essential role to play throughout the period surrounding birth, and especially during labor itself. It's crucial that they recognize the importance of this role, and the responsibility that comes with it. A partner who is informed about the realities of birth can advocate confidently for their partner — no one is better placed to do so. This birth belongs to them just as much as to the mother!
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Knowledge about birth frees us from certain fears and preconceptions.
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The pain of childbirth is an ally. By understanding its purpose, it becomes possible to ride the waves of contractions WITH it, rather than fighting AGAINST it.
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When everything is in place to support an environment favorable to the release of oxytocin — the hormone of love and contractions — parents can fully experience the incredible event that is birth, whatever its course or outcome.
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While the course and outcome of a birth can never be predicted, it's possible to prepare in advance so that the conscious experience of giving birth can be one of joy, fulfillment and meaning, no matter how it unfolds.
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Pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period form a sacred stage of life that deserves to be respected, honored and celebrated.
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There is a middle ground between the over-medicalization of birth and its over-normalization. As a doula, I stand between the two — between science and the sacred.
The purpose of Doula Support
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To give you practical tools so you can reclaim your power and live the experience you truly want.
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To offer you a safe space of active, compassionate, judgment-free listening.
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To have an ally by your side, who makes sure you have every resource you need to make informed choices, and who supports you in whatever decisions you make.
Important: A doula provides completely non-medical support. She is not a midwife, and her support in no way replaces medical care provided by a midwife or obstetrician-gynecologist.
Unlike a healthcare professional (midwife or doctor), a doula does not have medical responsibility. She does not prescribe medication or make diagnoses. She does not provide any medical care related to pregnancy, the health of the mother, or the baby.
As a doula, I position myself as a "friend of midwives".
“ Roxanne also offers other services and childbirth preparation packages, including a method for turning a breech baby , which I highly recommend! Having planned a physiological home birth, I was starting to despair of not being able to keep this plan because my baby was still head up at 36 weeks. And this method worked for me after just 4 days (compared to 3 weeks of various positions and acupuncture sessions without success). I therefore highly recommend it! A huge thank you!!”
(translated form French)
FULL SUPPORT OR A SINGLE SESSION.
TAILORED TO YOU, EITHER WAY
Whether you need full ongoing support, a one-time presence, or simply a helping hand for a specific situation, there's a formula designed for you.
I want full, complete support — from pregnancy to postpartum
About 4 sessions of 2h30 before the birth, continuous presence by your side during labor (however long it lasts), then 2 sessions after birth — with availability by phone, email and WhatsApp throughout.
CHF 1450.- (first meeting CHF 100.-, deducted from the package if you choose me as your doula)
I want support before and after, without presence at the birth itself
The same personalized support through pregnancy and postpartum — about 4 sessions of 2h30 before, 2 sessions of 2h after — but without a commitment of presence on the day of the birth.
CHF 1100.- (first meeting CHF 100.-, deducted from the package if you choose me as your doula)
I want presence by my side during labor only
An on-call period from 38 to 42 weeks, and my continuous presence with you during labor and the first hours after birth — with availability by phone, email and WhatsApp. A preparation meeting beforehand and a debrief afterward are strongly recommended (not included).
CHF 800.-
I want full/partial support, entirely from a distance
The same personalized support from pregnancy through postpartum — sessions, continuous presence during labor, availability by phone/email/WhatsApp — but entirely via video call, wherever you are.
CHF 900.- (first meeting CHF 100.-, deducted from the package if you choose me as your doula)