About Me

Hello, my name is Tania Delahoy. I am a birth attendant and doula based in Oakleigh, Melbourne.

I am mother to two beautiful children and it was during my first birthing experience, The Birth of Jessica Rose that I met some of the most wonderfully supportive women working within the birthing network in Melbourne. They were there to nurture me when I was in need and enabled my birth and transition into motherhood to be a much gentler experience. I will be forever grateful for their assistance and the knowledge they imparted.

This experience led me to this amazing work and inspired me to support women and families through pregnancy, birth and early parenthood.

Even though I am an advocate for normal, physiological birth, I respect each woman's choice in options of care and their ideals about birthing. My role is to provide informational, physical and emotional support to women and their partners, without judgment, enabling them to enter into their birth feeling confident, empowered and safe.

I am a trained medical scientist with over 15 years experience. Although not able to support you in a medical capacity, you can feel comfortable knowing that I am familiar with hospital settings, medical terminology and liaising with medical staff, particularly in regards to helping to advocate your preferences.

As a birth attendant, I support women in different care settings including birth centres and public and private hospitals. I am also very supportive of birthing at home in conjunction with independent midwives.

I have been working with Lina Clerke - Wonderful Birth since early 2004 and have trained as a Birth Attendant with Rhea Dempsey - Birthing Wisdom in 2007.

I am experienced with both Calm Birth and Active Birth techniques and recommend that my clients attend private childbirth education classes. I am also able to assist with breastfeeding, settling and sleeping techniques - all with a gentle, baby-centered approach.

In order to continuously update my skills and knowledge, I regularly attend workshops and seminars. I have an extensive library of birth and parenting resources and a comprehensive contact list for anything you may need.

I have been privileged enough to work with many families of different ethnic backgrounds, religious beliefs and family dynamics.

I welcome any enquiries regarding my services and I am more than happy to meet for a free initial consultation.

Philosophy

I believe that birth is a normal physiological process. When a woman is educated around birth and her choices, when she trusts in her body's ability to safely birth her baby and when the birth is allowed to unfold in its own time in a setting where she feels secure and supported by those around her, it can be an amazingly transformative and empowering process. It can be an experience that gives your baby the most gentlest of beginnings, facilitating bonding and attachment, giving them a secure basis for life.

Even when things don't quite go according to plan, as your birth attendant I can help support and guide you through your options. I will help you every step of the way to create a fulfilling and joyous birthing experience, no matter what the scenario may be.

Birth Attendant's Role

My role is to assist women and their partners achieve a beautiful birthing experience. Through establishing a relationship with you during your pregnancy, helping to create an idea of what sort of birth you are working towards and helping to bring it to fruition.

I work with a woman to prepare for the most important event in her life; her body will be working at peak performance physically, mentally and emotionally and by creating and protecting a nurturing, safe space in which to birth, wherever it may be, a woman is able to achieve the best possible birth experience.

I can act as an advocate for your preferences and help guide you through the maze of choices and terminology both before and after the birth. I can be an understanding ear and confidante.

Supporting the partner and/or other support team members is also a very important part of my role. At times, birth can be confronting for them as well as tiring. I spend time with partners or the support team prior to the birth outlining how they can actively participate in the birth and be a real source of strength for their woman. Having a birth attendant who they know and trust to reassure them and to support them as well is very important, sometimes a knowing smile or nod is all they need to feel reassured that all is well. My ideal is for the woman and her partner to be working intimately together, my role being to cocoon them in support.