HOI. I'M OLIVIA AND THIS IS MAMAMIE.
As a postpartum doula, I support you during the postpartum period and beyond. I hold the space and assist you on your journey into motherhood.
The birth of my daughter four years ago came very suddenly and unexpectedly. At a time when I was still working full-time and was still a long way from slowing down and taking a break. Perhaps this contributed to the fact that as soon as my daughter was lying healthy in my arms, I tried to carry on as I had done until the birth. So: going out, inviting friends and family over, cooking, washing and cleaning, organising appointments and a bit of weeding in between (yes, really). I didn't allow myself and my baby much rest in the first weeks and months – very much in the spirit of: The more everything is like it was before the birth, the better.
I remember the first visit to the paediatrician ten days after the birth, when I set off alone on foot in the rain, cold and wind. Two days later, the first train journey with the baby to a friend's birthday party (I spent most of the short evening breastfeeding in a storeroom instead of with my celebrating friends in a restaurant). And I think back to the moment a month after the birth, when I was completely exhausted and upset on the phone to my mum and told her about my guilty conscience about cancelling a visit (although everything inside me was crying out for peace and quiet).
As a postpartum doula, I want to give you what I was missing in my postpartum period and the months that followed. I want you to be able to let go, rest and recharge – so that you are stronger for the intense months and years that follow the birth of your baby. And I want you to consciously experience the transition to being a mum as a special, valuable stage in your life. So that, despite all the challenges, you can grow with joy and confidence and lovingly accept and shape the changes in yourself and your life. After all, these are all prerequisites for you to be able to fully recover from your birth, for you to stay healthy (also in the long term) and for you to be the mum your child needs.
‘Mothers are the soil from which humanity grows. And if we want humanity to be healthy, we best take care of our soil: THE MOTHERS.’
RACHELLE GARCIA SELIGA
WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO ME
Authenticity
In my company, you can be who you are. There is room for all your feelings, thoughts and experiences. You can expect the same from me: I will be genuine and honest with you.
Personal responsibility
You know best what you need. I see it as my job to create a space in which you can listen to yourself and realise your intuition. You are the expert when it comes to your wishes and needs - I ask questions, make suggestions and give ideas.
Trust
The trust you place in me is the basis for my support. It enables me to create a safe environment in which you can open up. Accordingly, I take the utmost care of your trust: everything you share with me stays with me.
Appreciation
I use the resources at my disposal (time, energy, food, etc.) sustainably in my work. I am grateful for and respect the knowledge and traditions—some of which are ancient and come from various cultures—that have been passed on to me. They make my work possible.
TRAINING
My services are based on modern as well as ancient knowledge and experiences of different cultures and traditions that have been passed on over many generations, which I have been able to familiarise myself with in the following training courses*:
\ Rebozo basic and advanced module with Mirjam De Keijzer, Swiss Babywearing School (2024)
\ INNATE Postpartum Care Practitioner with Rachelle Garcia Seliga, INNATE Traditions (since 2023)
\ Beng Kung Belly Binding with Nora de Staël, Swiss Babywearing School (2023)
\ Ayur-Doula with Steffi Workman, Akasha Ayurveda (2023)
\ Ayurveda cook REEA, Rosenberg Academy for Ayurveda (2022)
\ Holistic Ayurveda nutrition and health counsellor REEA/HPS, HPS (2021)
\ 50 h Yin Yoga Teacher Training with Josh Summers, Air Yoga (2020)
\ Basic course in aromatherapy with Erika Haussener, SfA (2019)
* I am neither a midwife nor a therapist. My offer does not include any medical services and is always to be understood as a supplement to the support of medical professionals. Health insurance companies do not pay any contributions towards my services.