What is a doula?
As the saying goes, it takes a village to raise a child – and also a mother. Birthing women and new mothers have had support from more experienced women since the beginning of time.
The word doula comes from the ancient greek word and came to mean “woman’s servant”. A doula’s role is to „mother the mother”and provide continuity of care throughout pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.
The doula brings the village back to our modern and urban lifestyle.
As your doula I go along with you throughout your pregnancy, birth & beyond (without the woo woo)!
It is not about how a baby is born, but how women and their birth partner’s are supported and made to feel throughout that journey. My aims are to make you feel safe, seen and heard, and to look back on the experience with positivity. I support your choices whatever, they may be. I also reassure your partner and help him or her feel confident in supporting you.
I’m based in Winterthur serving mothers in Zurich and surrounding areas.
What my clients say:
„Katrin accompanied us empathetically and competently through our pregnancy and birth and made a pivotal contribution to us experiencing a dream birth, and feeling prepared for the time after the birth. We particularly appreciated Katrin’s warm, attentive personality. Katrin’s perfect English and German enabled both parents to be equally included. We recommend Katrin wholeheartedly and without reservation!” – Anna
What are the benefits of having a Doula?
Research shows that a doula assisted birth result in:
. 25 % decrease in the length of labour
. 50 % fewer Caesarean births
. 40 % decrease in use of forceps
. 40 % decrease in use of synthetic oxytocin
. 60 % decrease in use of epidurals
. 30 % decrease in use of pain medication
And some more reasons why having a doula is an amazing choice:
Continuity of care
When birthing in the system, there’s a good chance you won’t know your midwife of the day. Having a doula means you’re practically locking in your constant.
Support your partner
Expecting your partner to be your physical, emotional and advocacy support when they have very little experience in the area is a huge ask. A doula will support your partner so they can be 100 % present for you.
My birth & pOSTPARTUM Doula package:
Spinning Babies® Birth Preparation Class
in Zurich and Winterthur
Ready to make birth easier? A little birth preparation goes a long way. With the right birth education, you can actively make your experience smoother, calmer, and even more enjoyable. Learn how to go after the birth you want with Spinning Babies® – a different take on how movement, balance and smart positioning can make your labour easier.
A birth course like Spinning Babies Birth® Preparation Class doesn’t just teach you what happens during labour – it gives you practical tools and knowledge that make a real difference when the big day arrives.
Regardless if you’re birthing at home or in the hospital, going for a VBAC, or having planed an epidural, the Spinning Babies® Birth Preparation Class will give you the confidence and skills to rock your labour.
What to expect?
In this hands-on class, you’ll learn:
. Simple daily exercises to create more space and comfort during pregnancy
. How your baby’s position impacts labour (and what you can do about it)
. Optimal labour positions that help open your pelvis, encourage baby’s decent, and reduce your pain
. Spinning Babies® is designed to be done with your birthpartner, and will teach them how to support you when it matters most
That’s what Spinning Babies® is all about!
Your investment: 380.- CHF
Travel fee may apply
BIRTH DOULA
in Zurich and Winterthur
I’m here to encourage woman and their birth partners to be bold, empowered, and courageous during one of life’s biggest transitions into motherhood.
Although having a baby is an exciting time, it can also cause insecurity and anxiety, especially if you are far from family or worried that you won’t achieve your ideal birth vision.
Engaging a doula can help you to stay calm and focused before, during and after birth, ensuring you feel empowered through the process!
What to expect
. Initial meeting in my studio in Winterthur or online to feel if we are a good fit
(Energy balancing of 150.- CHF / hour in case I’m not your Doula).
. Emotional support via phone, WhatsApp and mail throughout your pregnancy
. Prenatal coaching sessions
. On call for you 24/7 from 38 weeks until baby’s birth
. Continuous emotional and physical support for you and your partner through labour and birth
. Access to my library and birth tools (TENS, Rebozos etc)
. 1 Follow-up meeting 6-8 weeks after birth in my studio or online
Your investment: from 3’080.- CHF
Add-ons:
. more sessions prenatally or in your postpartum
. Spinning Babies® Birth Preparation Class
. Reiki sessions
. Mother’s Blessing Ceremony
. Closing the Bones Ritual
POSTPARTUM DOULA
in Zurich and Winterthur
Taking care for yourself in the postpartum period is an essential part of your recovery during this sweet and vulnerable time.
Following ancient wisdom I dedicated time and passion into re-learning and reclaiming the art of traditional postpartum care. This old practice is intended to bring warmth into the new mum’s body to heal and restore her. A great holistic way to embrace the change into motherhood.
After the baby is born I provide weekly visits – 12 hours of care broken into either 4 x 3 hour sessions or 6 x 2 hour sessions.
Night doula service upon request as early as six weeks. Getting some extra sleep can go a long way in the mother’s ability to maintain a healthy and happy life.
What to expect?
. Initial meeting in my studio in Winterthur or online to feel if we are a good fit
(Energy balancing of 150.- CHF / hour in case I’m not your Doula).
. 1 individual postpartum coaching
. 12 hours of postpartum care
. Warm, nourshing meals at each visit
. Snacks and warm drinks
. An extra pair of hands around your baby so that mama can sleep or shower
. light housework such as clothes folding, unstacking dishwashers etc
. Emotional support via WhatsApp
Optional:
. Breastfeeding support
. Energy healing treatment (Reiki)
. Postpartum massage
. Bonding bath (Re-bonding)
. Herbal bath and time to relax
. Yoni steaming
. Belly Binding
. Trauma support
Your investment: from 2’480.- CHF
Travel fee may apply
CLOSING THE BONES
in Zurich and Winterthur
A women’s body opens during pregnancy and birth. But we also have opened ourselves to a life-changing experience.
Closing the Bones is a postpartum closing ceremony that gently brings the body, mind and soul back together. This ritual can be a great way to release emotions associated with the birth and transition into motherhood.
The Closing the Bones Ceremony is an ancient practice from traditional Mexican Midwifery, however, similar traditions are carried out in many other parts of the world mainly in South America, Africa and Asia.
What to expect?
My offering includes a birth debrief, an energy healing treatment, a herbal bath (or footbath), a rebozo massage, and the wrapping of the body.
The ceremony will take between four and five hours and will be carried out in the comfort of your own home together with your favourite person.
Your investment: 580.- CHF
Travel fee may apply
Frequently Asked Questions.
What is a birth doula?
A birth doula is a non-medical trained emotional and physical trained person for you and your partner prenatally, during birth, and postnatally. We’re not medical, but we are magic when it comes to emotional support, physical comfort and helping you advocate for your choices.
When should I hire a doula?
The sooner the better! It’s great to reach out as soon as you’re considering doula support to check their availability and touch base. It’s never to early to early to hire a doula (plus, it means you’ll get the support for longer). However, many Zurich doulas like me can accomodate last-minute bookings if their schedule allows so, it’s still worth reaching out.
I have an amazing birth partner, is a doula really necessary?
Yes! And your birth partner will probably thank you. My role as a doula is not to take away from your birth partner, but to support, encourage and guide them too on how they can be the best support to you as possible. A doula helps your partner to shine by taking the pressure off. Teamwork makes the dream birth work.
I'm not near. Can you still be my doula?
Abolutely. We can work virtually (or in person) to get clear on your vision for your birth and postpartum experience, and to tackle any fears that you may be holding on. I will help you to explore these ideas so that you can go into birth feeling confident, informed and ready. This is perfect for mums and families who are not based in Zurich, Switzerland. And if it works within your budget, I’m happy to travel wherever in the world you are to be in the birthing suite with you.
What if I end up having a Caesarian Section?
Planned or surprise, belly births deserve the same love and support. Doula support goes well beyond just the birth experience itself.
Do you offer payment plans?
Yes. I truly believe doula support should be accessible, and my social pricing model allows for flexible payment – same total, whether in one go or ten little steps.
How do I know if you're right for me?
Honestly? Let’s chat. If you feel seen, heard, and your gut gives you a yes – that’s your sign that I might be your doula.
Wanna know if I’m your doula?
We're a good match if...
⊕ You think physiological birth is possible and you believe deep down you can do this, but you want a bit of support getting there.
⊕ You are ready to do the work and really deep dive into the birth world.
⊕ You and your partner are ready to be part of a team.
⊕ You are curious about traditional birth and postpartum wisdom.
We're not a good match if...
⊗ You think a doula will guarantee you a certain birth outcome.
⊗ You question the value and the cost of a doula.
⊗ Your partner doesn’t want a doula at all and won’t be convinced otherwise.
⊗You don’t see the importance in the rite of passage into motherhood.
