Doula Support for NDIS Participants

Navigating pregnancy, birth, and the postnatal period can be a transformative yet challenging experience for anyone. For individuals accessing the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), having the right support tailored to your unique needs is essential. Elemental Beginnings' Doula services offer emotional, physical, and informational support, empowering you every step of the way.
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What is a Doula and How Can They Help?
A doula provides non-medical, holistic support tailored to your birth journey. This can include:

Prenatal Support: Preparing for birth, building a birth plan, and understanding your options.
Birth Support: Providing advocacy and nurturing care during labour and birth.
Postnatal Support: Assisting with recovery, newborn care, and emotional wellbeing.

Doula Support Within the NDIS
Many NDIS participants don’t realise that doula services can complement their NDIS goals. If your plan focuses on improved daily living, community participation, or capacity building, doula support can align with these outcomes.

For Self-Managed and Plan-Managed Participants

Self-Managed Clients: You have the flexibility to engage doula services directly.
Plan-Managed Clients: Your plan manager can approve invoices for doula services, ensuring they fit within your allocated funding.

I have worked with both types of NDIS clients and plan managers and know how to invoice my services for your needs.

How Doula Support Aligns with Your NDIS Goals
Here are some examples of how doula care can enhance your NDIS journey:

Building Independence: Learning newborn care skills to feel confident in your parenting journey.
Promoting Wellbeing: Reducing stress and anxiety during pregnancy and birth with emotional support.
Increasing Capacity: Assisting with recovery and adjusting to life with a newborn.

The pregnancy journey for NDIS participants, highlighting key appointments, tests, and planning stages.

How do I work with you?

Every family’s journey to parenthood is unique, and my role as a doula is to provide inclusive, person-centred care that honours your individual needs and preferences. With experience supporting NDIS clients, I adapt my approach to ensure that every person feels fully supported throughout pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period.

I provide accessible communication and resources for all my clients, including online learning materials in various formats such as written guides, videos, and audio recordings. During our prenatal appointments, I bring written materials and hands-on teaching tools like a doll and pelvis to help you visualise and practise for birth. While my Auslan is limited to the alphabet, I strive to ensure all communication is clear and accessible, adapting where needed.

Every client I work with has in-depth discussions with me to plan their care. These conversations allow us to create a birth and postnatal plan that reflects your preferences and needs, and I help you to advocate for these choices with your care team. By working closely with you, I aim to reduce stress, foster confidence, and help you feel prepared and supported every step of the way.

We collaborate to explore options and tools that align with your capabilities. This may include practicing different labour positions during pregnancy and advocating for the use of supportive accommodations like shower chairs, wheelchairs, or accessible cribs in hospital settings. My goal is to ensure your comfort and safety while enhancing your parenting journey.

I take the time to understand your capabilities or triggers and discuss strategies to minimise risks. I can meet with your medical team, allied health providers and support workers to ensure everyone is aligned on the best approach for managing your needs during pregnancy and birth.  Most of all, I trust my clients.  You are the expert on you!

My services are flexible and accessible, with prenatal and postnatal care delivered in the comfort of your home. I am also available to attend appointments and provide hospital support during birth or whenever needed.

I believe that every individual deserves to feel respected, valued, and supported as they navigate this profound life transition. By tailoring my care to your unique circumstances, I aim to create a nurturing environment where you can feel confident and in control of your journey.

How to Get Started
Whether you’re self-managed or plan-managed, I’m here to help you explore how doula support can enrich your pregnancy and parenting journey. Contact me today to schedule a no-obligation phone or Zoom chat and discuss how I can support you.

BOOK A FREE CALL WITH KELLY

​If you’re looking for additional support or information, the following resources can help you navigate pregnancy, birth, and parenting with a disability. These trusted organisations and guides are designed to empower parents with practical advice, accessible tools, and advocacy to ensure a positive and inclusive journey into parenthood.

• Disability Maternity Care – Resources and support for parents with disabilities during pregnancy 
  https://disabilitymaternitycare.com/parents-and-families
• National Research Centre for Parents with Disabilities - Parenting tips and strategies from parents with disabilities
  heller.brandeis.edu/parents-with-disabilities/support/parenting-tips-strategies/index.html

Author

As a doula with years of experience supporting families from all walks of life, I am passionate about providing inclusive, person-centred care during pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period. I have had the privilege of working with individuals navigating different abilities.  My goal is to create a safe, nurturing, and accessible environment for every client, helping you to feel seen, heard, and supported throughout your journey.