Welcome here! My name is Rebekkah Traptow and It is an honour to be considered to be a part of your birth and postpartum support team! The journey through pregnancy, birth, postpartum recovery and early parenting can be both exciting and overwhelming! It is my absolute pleasure to provide love, encouragement, and help to you along the way!
I’ve had the immense privilege of being part of more than 75 transformative journeys into parenthood throughout my 5-year career! Let me tell you, there’s nothing quite like the breathtaking moment when a long-awaited little soul enters the world and it is a great honour to witness!
Here on my website, you will find the details about my rates and services, answers to your most frequently asked questions, and a compilation of my go-to resources for pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period
Please feel free to get in touch if you have any questions! I am so looking forward to building a sisterly relationship with you and your family as you prepare for and anticipate all that is to come!
Let’s “Doula” this! XO – Doula Tantie
Panel 1
To Love, Encourage, and Help My Sisters
Doula – meaning “woman who serves” & Tantie – Meaning “Sister”
The term “Doula” is used to refer to a trained and experienced professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to a mother (and her partner if she has one) before, during and just after birth. Also used to describe a trained and experienced professional who provides emotional and practical support during the postpartum period.
To me, a doula is like a sister – She shares in your excitement about even the smallest things. She encourages you when you feel overwhelmed. She ensures you are well educated and supports you in advocating for the birth and postpartum experience YOU desire. Above all, she provides unbiased and unwavering love, encouragement, and help to her sisters in pregnancy, birth, and postpartum recovery.
Doulas Make a Difference!
“I have a partner and more than enough family. What can a Doula provide that my support system can’t?”
I’ll be honest, I don’t believe I am “essential” to your birth or postpartum experience. In fact, I often tell my clients that if I have done my job well I become the icing on the cake (that they bake themselves of course). If you’re like me though, and love statistics here are some interesting facts about birth doula support you might find encouraging! *Doulas do not guarantee outcomes! Rather, we provide you with the tools, support and education you need to achieve your ideal outcome.
25% decrease in the risk of Cesarean
8% increase in the likelihood of a spontaneous vaginal birth
10% decrease in the use of any medications for pain relief
Shorter labours by 41 minutes on average
38% decrease in the baby’s risk of a low five-minute Apgar score
31% decrease in the risk of being dissatisfied with the birth experience
While the statistics on the impacts of postpartum doulas aren’t widely tracked, the information available suggests that postpartum doulas greatly reduce the risk of postpartum mood disorders and improve recovery speed/outcomes. We provide families with information and support on infant feeding, emotional and physical recovery from childbirth, infant soothing, and coping skills for new parents. We might also help with light housework, fix a meal and help incorporate an older child into this new experience.
“What exactly do doulas do?”
1. Informational Support – Avoid Google. Ask your Doula.
I can help keep you and your partner informed through each milestone of your pregnancy and postpartum journey. I can also help you find evidence-based information about different options in pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum. A Doula is an unbiased resource. NEVER a source.
2. Emotional Support – Your emotions and fears Are Valid.
A Doula is a continuous comforting presence offering reassurance and encouragement, showing a caring and empathetic attitude and helping you and your partner work through fears and self-doubt about pregnancy and birth. Debriefing after birth is another way a Doula can support you emotionally.
3. Physical Support – Facilitating the birth and recovery of your dreams.
A short list of ways a Doula can support you physically is as follows:
Massage/counterpressure
Position changes and suggestions for optimal labour progression
Assisting with a TENS machine
Create a calming environment (lights, curtains, etc.)
Aroma Therapy
Water therapy (bath, shower)
Hydrating and feeding birther
Hands-on infant feeding support
Light Housework
Cooking and meal prep
Recovery Care Tasks
Whatever you need to feel physically comfortable and supported in birth and the postpartum period, a Doula can assist you with!
How Doulas Support Partners
As your Doula, it is NOT my job to replace your partner, family member or other perinatal support person! My Job is to educate, emotionally and physically support partners to empower them to support mothers through the birth and postpartum period.
Prenatal Education about the birthing process
Helping them work through their own fears or apprehensions
Facilitating conversations with the two of you
Teaching them Pain management techniques
Ensuring they are fed and hydrated
Reassurance and Comfort during the birthing process
Education about how to support a mother in the postpartum period.
Being an extra set of hands during the postpartum adjustment period
Sisterly Love - Expert Care 