Small things can make a big change!

 

 

My name is Barbara and I am originally from Switzerland, but I have lived here at Kaust since 2017. I have three wonderful kids born in 2012, 2015 & 2021.
 

My daughter was born away from home down under in Australia. I was halfway through my pregnancy when I moved there. Without any family and hardly any friends, I went into labour very unexpectedly at 33 weeks. At that time, my husband and I had taken the first of five sessions of a childbirth class. Totally unprepared, I was very anxious about how we would all cope with this situation. After a long labour, I gave birth to our little healthy baby girl only using gas for pain relief, but with the help of foreceps in a hospital. I got great support during my labour by the midwives and was lucky enough to have them at my side all the time. They never left me alone in the room which helped me feel safe and their encouragement gave me the confidence that me, my baby and my body could do it. Due to the prematurity, my baby and I were separated right after birth and I could only hold her in my arms for the first time more than 24hrs later. I struggled with breastfeeding and having enough milk as well as emotionally.

My second child was born on term back home in Switzerland in a small hospital. I was in labour for less than two hours and at the hospital for even less than one hour. Everything went so fast that I needed no pain relief at all. There was no time for IV or a long CTG and I recovered really quickly from this birth. I breastfed with no difficulties and I was one of the rare women producing more milk than my baby could drink.

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After having gone through these two totally different birth experiences, I really became passionate about pregnant and new moms. I even thought of giving up my job as a Flight Attendant and becoming a midwife instead.

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Because of my first birth far away from home, I realised how important it is to have a birth partner that supports you during your pregnancy and the entire labour. I even wished I 'd known the midwife before and could have debriefed my birth experience with her a few weeks later. I had many questions that were unanswered for a long time.

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After having moved to Kaust, I found out about the Amani Birth Program and became a certified doula. This doula program for natural birth was delevoped by an American midwife who married a Saudi husband and converted to Islam. The program is embedded and adapted to the Saudi Culture and Islam.

 

I have chosen this program because I think it is important to understand what culture we live in so we can prepare ourselves for the best possible birth we are hoping for. 

 

I am also a Flight Attendant for Swiss Airlines. I have been flying with them for more than 20 years. During this time, I have met people from around the world and listened to their stories. I am open and receptive to differences and I appreciate them! I have travelled around the world and I love learning about new cultures. I think this really helps me as a Doula. As a Flight Attendant, I go through medical emergency training every year. This training includes CPR and how to handle birth on board of an airplane.

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With my knowledge as a HypnoBirthing Instructor, I can perfectly support mothers with breathing and massage techniques.

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If you would like me to be part of your non medical birthing team during your most exciting transition in becoming a mother, don't hesitate to contact me for more details and to check if there is an available spot left.
 

Contact: barbara.krattinger(at)bluewin.ch or 056 525 97 95,

                 Whatsapp on request, living at Kaust

 

Barbara and Nour collaborate and help out as back up if necessary.