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What is a doula and why should you have one?
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Not every doula is the same, but in a nutshell, a doula is your personal trainer for birth and I work with families towards their specific goal for the birth of their baby by meeting with them to ascertain these needs before birth.
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During birth doulas are there in every non-medical way you can think of, including massages for the labouring mom, answering questions, getting water, ice, snacks, and tending to the mother's emotional needs – and we give dads/partners bathroom and meal breaks. I am also available to be used as a human shield but thankfully I have never been taken up on this offer.
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With natural birth, I assist with pain management strategies, with C-section births I either support the mother when her partner is with the baby, or I stay with the baby if her partner wants to be with her.
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I am your personal birth fear chaser!
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As your doula I have the training and experience to help you through the emotional, physical and educational roller-coaster that is pregnancy, labour and birth. My purpose as your Birth Doula is to empower you to have your best birth possible, I will support you in WHATEVER you choose for your labour and birth. During an emergency C-section a mother can feel scared, lonely and even frustrated or angry. As your doula I can be a great help to be there for you throughout the process.
I don’t perform medical procedures at all and I work with any birth, albeit natural, epidural or C-section.
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Why should I be your birth photographer?
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It is an honour and a privilege to be allowed into a sacred birth space to capture the moment a family welcomes their newborn into the world. From a bright hospital theatre to a candlelit home birth, I have the experience to skilfully capture the raw, honest emotions and pure magic of the moment when you and your partner meet your new baby for the first time. As a seasoned birth doula I am extremely familiar with all forms of birth (and hospital protocol!) and know how to work inconspicuously in a birth space.
As a professional photographer of many years, I pride myself on being able to take artistic photographs that are unique and personalised and not a 'one size fits all.' Also, I do not offer any other type of photography - birth photography and my professional development as birth photographer is my only focus. If you are looking for a birth photographer who will go beyond just the average 'cookie-cutter' birth photos, contact me today to find a package that will suit your unique needs. For examples of my previous work, please click here:
As your doula, I will help you navigate your options and support your decisions for your birth. I do not just support clients choosing an unmedicated birth, I support you with all types of birth. Your birth, your choice. Period. This is your birth and my role is to support you in your goals. I have a lot of experience with C-section births as well. You may find that you need to schedule the delivery date of your baby to be born via C-section (no matter the reason.) I support you throughout this process and prepare you by addressing any fears you and your partner may have about the procedure. I will help to make the hospital experience less stressful and less clinical, and with a C-section help with the surgery interfering as little as possible with the process of bonding with and caring for your precious new born baby. I will also help to establish breastfeeding if you so wish, and assist you so that your baby receives nourishing colostrum right after surgery. I add light.
Exclusive Birth Photography &
Professional Birth Doula Assistance
Meet Nicci.Doula:
Mom, Birth, C-Section, Adoption and Bereavement Doula, Professional Birth & Remembrance Photographer, CEO / Trainer at NCOT (Pty) Ltd and Writer.
I am 48 years old, mother to three beautiful boys, Nathin (25), Kevin (23) and my 'laatlammetjie' Jaedin (10). I am married to Christo and we reside in a leafy suburb at the foot of the Magalies mountains. Memphis and Gracie are our fur-babies. I love all my children (four-legged and two-legged) very much and I am extremely proud of them. Besides being a mom, I am an avid reader, an indie writer, a professional photographer, a qualified events manager and of course, I am a Birth, Bereavement and Adoption Doula. I am the CEO of NCOT and I have also launched South Africa's first ever Online Miscarriage & Infant Loss Bereavement Training Program in 2018 and I am excited to say that the course is doing so well, I have developed other online courses too. Please visit www.ncot4u.com for more information.
My latest book WHEN THE SHADOW COMES was released on 15 October 2020 and can be accessed here: www.books2read.com/niccicoertze
Social Media
"Nicci was an incredibly knowledgeable and supportive presence during our daughter's birth. We're so grateful she was a part of it!"
BECCA
"Dis so gerusstellend om te weet mens het iemand op wie mens se knoppie enige tyd kan druk, en wat dedicated is om jou en jou man by te staan en deur als te help. Selfs toe dit absoluut moeilik geraak het vir my het Nicci aanhou support om deur te druk. Dankie vir jou Nicci!! ☆"
DANIELE
MICHELE
"Woorde kan nie beskryf hoe Dankbaar Ek is vir Nicci nie. Sy het my deur my kraam proses gehelp soos geen ander mens Ooit sou kon nie. Sy was die Rots en steun pilaar waarop Ek en my man albei kon staat maak om Ons Engel Kind Lienke in die wereld te bring. Ek sou dit eerlikwaar nie sonder haar kon gedoen het nie en as dit nie vir haar was nie weet Ek nie wat sou gebeur het nie. Sy was daar met elke tree wat Ons moes neem en het Ongelooflikke ondersteuning gebied vir beide myself en my man. Nicci jy het my help my kind in die wereld bring en elke keer wat ek vir haar kyk sien Ek die Waak Engel wat jy is en is ek van voor af Dankbaar dat die Here jou op My Nico en Lienke se pad gestuur het."
Reviews
POSITIVE EXPERIENCES
I’m proud to have received wonderful feedback from some of the amazing women and families I’ve worked with. For me, the most rewarding part of the job is to share in one of the most memorable moments of their lives. Feel free to browse some of their testimonials below.
Or click here for C-section specific testimonies: C-SECTION TESTIMONIES
Please click on the star for more reviews from my clients:
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