Birth Doula Offerings by Terri Nicholson
About Terri
I am a mum of 4 boys (ages range from 21 to 7yo). I gave birth to all of them at home ~ attended by homebirth midwives ~ one on the verandah, two in a birthing pool inside, and our last one was born under a beautiful teak tree. I grew up in the rainforests of Terania Creek in the Northern Rivers of NSW, and apart from 3 years in Bolivia & Chile, this is home.
I trained as a Naturopath, Herbalist and Massage Therapist at Southern Cross University, and have been practising for the last 23 years, with a particular focus on pregnancy and post-natal massage and support.
My 4 year Diploma of Body Centred Psychotherapy with the Institute of Energy Science, means I am comfortable with holding a safe and loving space for anyone experiencing strong emotions. The body work/massage I do can bring deep relaxation/healing before/during/after labour, as well as for other family members if needed.
My work is influenced by the wonderful perspectives of deep ecology and my experience working with healers in South America. Simple ritual, ceremony and helping create a sense of sacred space and safety are things I love and have many years of experience with. I weave song, meditation, breath, incorporating the senses, always grounded in our profound and unquestionable belonging to this living planet.
I have been attending births and supporting families for the last 21 years. Most of these have been planned homebirths (working alongside registered homebirth midwives). I do have experience with supporting mummas who transfer to hospital from home, as well as planned hospital births and c-sections.
I support families within about a 1hr radius from Lismore.
Qualifications & Experience:
Bachelor of Naturopathy (SCU)
Diploma of Body-Centred Psychotherapy (Institute of Energy Science)
Diploma of Thai Massage
Experience as Birth support/Doula for 21 years
24 years experience as massage therapist (particularly with pregnancy and post-natal massage)
Testimonials
Makaylia
First time mum ~ homebirth
By Makaylia ~ “From the moment met Terri I knew she was going to be a special part of our birthing experience. But I never could have imagined the ripple affects of pure love, support, valuablility and care would have on us as a new family.
I met Terri a few weeks before our daughters birth, being new to The Channon community she made me feel so loved and nourished by organising a woman’s blessing circle and ceremony.
During our labour journey Terri was so close by and attentive which put myself and my partner at ease, because we decided on only having the two of us with no other family members for back up.
I am grateful for Terri as our labour ended up going for 3 days. Terri made sure my partner was taking breaks, eating and sleeping. She constantly kept me hydrated and comfortable.
Terri used her wisdom of massage, healing, singing, breath work, and optimal birthing positioning exercises to allow baby to flow gently down for one amazing birthing story!
I loved how Terri made me feel so comfortable and safe, I was able to just focus, go inwards and surrender to the experience!
There was no fear when our midwife didn’t quite make it in time for birth, arriving moments afterwards, and myself catching our precious baby on delivery.
I am forever grateful for Terri and her supportive husband who gave so much time for us as well. Terri is an angel.”
Jackson
First time dad ~ homebirth
By Jackson ~ “During our 3 day labour journey it was great to have Terri around our home for support.
She took care of our sacred space, loved us, kept us hydrated and nourished and allowed me to have my breaks in between Makaylia’s contractions.
As a partner I wanted to be beside Makaylia the whole time. I felt completely comfortable knowing Terri was with Makaylia.
Terri went above and beyond with her unconditional love and support, not only during labour and birth, but also the weeks leading up to birth and the first few precious new born weeks afterwards. Terri is an amazing woman.”
Zoe
First time mum
By Zoe ~ “I can’t recommend Terry highly enough as a doula.
She was a beacon of light and incredible support for me during what was a traumatic labour and a difficult post-partum period.
She provided last minute support, came as quickly as she could and was consistent, grounding and nurturing throughout my labour and recovery.
My only regret is not having her on board sooner. Eternal gratitude to you, Terri”
Complete Doula, Massage, Ceremony & Photography/Video Bundle
Here are ways I can support you and your family though your birthing time.
You can draw on any or all of these offerings as part of the bundle depending on your individual needs.
All the good things included in Bundle… |
Pre-natal period |
3 x 1.5-2hr visits for consolidating connection and trust, to check in about upcoming birth prep. These visits often combined with prenatal massage. |
1 x pregnancy photography session. Full 1 hour session and all pics in digital high resolution. |
Unlimited text/email/phone support |
Herbal medicine advice |
Facilitating a Blessing Ceremony ritual (or sharing ideas). Can include ecoprinting of bunny rug/clothing for baby etc. |
Helping organise food roster for post-birth time |
On call 24/7 for 3 weeks prior to ‘guess date’ and 3 weeks after |
Labour/birthing period |
Unlimited time presence during labour and birth. (This may include being present for ‘early labour’ before established labour and midwives arrive, during active labour/birth, and then staying for some hours after the birth). During labour you will be able to receive all the practical/energetic support from my experience as a doula, including massage, pressure points, breathing guidance, medicine drumming, song etc as appropriate or wanted. |
Birth photography/videography. I can capture your labour/birth time with photography and video (depends how hands on you need/want me at the moment of birth). I do any photography with sound off, so it can be very subtle and unobtrusive, but very lovely to have later. You’ll get a beautifully edited birth video 5-15min long, and all full resolution photos (not limited). |
Placenta art. I can help capture the beauty of your ‘tree of life’ placenta prints following the birth. |
Post-natal period |
Helping activate food roster |
3 x 1.5-2hr post-natal homevisits and support/massage. This can include hanging with elder sibling if parents need a rest or other practical support. |
1 x baby/new family photography session within the first 3 weeks. Full 1 hour session and all pics in digital high resolution. |
1 x 3.5hr ‘Closing Ceremony/Integrating Birth Session between 4-12 weeks postpartum. This is a profound and beautiful experience of debriefing and integrating your birth experience and ‘closing the bones’. (I work around breastfeeding needs of your newborn). Assistance by Sunny or Nat |
Unlimited text/email/phone support |
Extra lovely things included… |
Botanical ecoprinted goodies – bunny rug and onesie for baby, 2x pillow cases for family . |
TOTAL FOR BUNDLE $3,000
* Split payment options available in increments of $500 up to 6 weeks post-partum if needed.
* I can be negotiable and tailor the bundle to suit your specific needs so don’t hesitate to ask. For example if you just wanted the doula/photography/video for the birth only, and wanted to engage my other services/offerings as individual sessions as needed.
Note: I don’t take on a birthing doula role with families planning to freebirth, but would love to support you alongside your qualified homebirth midwives. I most often work with the amazing homebirth midwives in the Northern Rivers NSW, Sunny Hunt from Holistic Family Homebirth and Nat Hills from Nat Hills Midwife.
Contact Terri
Please reach out as I can tailor the bundle to your specific needs.
I’d love to hear from you, and we can make a time to meet up for a free initial connection session, and see if we are a fit.
Phone: 0400 394 373
Email: terrinicholsonmoss@gmail.com
Terri’s Photography
Examples of Pregnancy Photography
Examples of Labour/Birth Photography
Examples of Baby/Family Photography
Integrating Your Birth Experience – Closing the Bones Ceremony
About the Closing the Bones Integration Ceremony
This is a sacred ceremony to support you in integrating your birth experience and finding a deep sense of peace, healing and connection inside yourself.
This is a profound experience which weaves intuitively through these different aspects and more.
- Opening sacred space
- Song & setting intention
- Sharing about your birth experience and whatever is arising for you
- Wrapping of your body with 5 cloths – at head, shoulders, pelvis/belly, knees and ankles – energetically ‘closing the bones’
- Integration and connection with red thread line (mother ancestral line)
- ‘Strengthening the spirit’ through the senses. Use of smells, sounds, temperature
- Sound bath – medicine drum, song, rainstick, bells
- Washing with warm herbal water as nurturing/cleansing/letting go
- Full body massage with warm oil to nurture and release tension in the body
- Guided meditation through deep time & ecological self ‘harvesting the gifts of the ancestors’
- Ritual gratitude offering to mother earth and intention stepping forward
- Closing song
- Sharing over tea and snacks
It goes for about 3 -3.5hrs.
Sunny or Nat, wonderful midwife friends, may attend also and assist, if that feels welcome.
I lived and worked with a traditional healer in Bolivia, South America, which gave me a deeper appreciation for ritual and work with the senses to ‘strengthen the spirit’. A 4 year Diploma of Body Centred Psychotherapy with the Institute of Energy Science, means I am comfortable with holding a safe and loving space for anyone experiencing strong emotions, and can perceive the energetics of what is occurring in their body also. Combining this understanding with the body work/massage I can support deep relaxation/healing
My work is influenced by the wonderful perspectives of Deep Ecology and connection to nature, having grown up in the rainforests of Terania Creek, and trained with Joanna Macy. Simple ritual, ceremony and helping create a sense of sacred space and safety are things I love and have many years of experience with. I weave meditation, breath, incorporating the senses, always grounded in our profound and unquestionable belonging to this living planet. As a singersongwriter and musician I understand the power of song, music and sound and weave this aspect in also.
I can sit with grief and all the feelings. So this ceremony is absolutely appropriate for those who have experienced pregnancy loss or birthing a stillborn babe and are wanting to integrate and heal.
I adore dropping into a sacred container space to support healing and profound connection in this post-natal closing ceremony.
I can work around the needs of your baby during the ritual, so it’s fine if you need to feed bub etc.
By Sophie ~ “I loved it so much. In particular I really loved your weaving in song, that was truly so beautiful and I would get goosebumps every time. Also I really loved the scents and herbs you brought into the ceremony, it really helped me drop deeper into my body.
The part where you washed me was one of my favourites, I felt transported to the little girl in me with my mother and grandmother around.
Contact Terri
Please reach out as I can tailor my offerings to your specific needs.
Phone: 0400 394 373
Email: terrinicholsonmoss@gmail.com
