Virtual birth planning
Tap into the experience and insight of your local Wellington birth doula and level up your birth planning.
Book a 90-minute video call for $150, before 37 weeks of pregnancy
Is this for you?
Love the idea of doula support but can't invest in in-person care? These virtual sessions unlock the knowledge and insight I bring to the whānau I work with when preparing for birth, together with my two years' experience supporting births in Wellington hospitals.
Spend 90 minutes talking through the practicalities of the birth experience, asking every question you have - wherever you are planning to have your pēpi and whether or not this is your first birth.
Planning your birth at a primary birthing unit or at home? Planning a VBAC? Wondering about induction? Bring those questions too.
Perhaps you’ve been wondering…
What's in a hospital birth suite?*
Which room might you be in for an induction? Your labour? A caesarean? After you've had your baby?
What are the visiting rules?
Who, and how many people can support you? Is there anywhere for them to sleep, and do they get fed?
Where do you go if it's the weekend or the middle of the night when labour starts?
What are my clients’ most-loved and most-used comfort and pain management tools for labour and the hours afterwards?
What do the first minutes and hours after birth look like? Who might you see other than your LMC? What happens if you or your pēpi need medical care or procedures after the birth?
How long do people stay in hospital or a primary unit after having their baby?
As well as the practical questions, we will walk through your own circumstances and preferences. I will run through the likely choices, decisions and scenarios you may face in labour and birth, so that you, your partner and any other birth support people feel confident about what is ahead.
*Health NZ has virtual tours of the Wellington, Hutt and Paraparaumu maternity units.
How it works
Fill out my contact form and i’ll get in touch to arrange a time for our session.
Receive my birth preferences Q&A sheet, which will guide our discussion and help highlight any gaps in knowledge. You do not need to complete it, just note anything you are unsure of, or that stands out.
Meet me on Google Meet for 90 minutes at our agreed time. Your partner and any other birth support people are strongly encouraged to join.
Receive your personal birth preferences 1-pager, plus resources and any relevant signposting to other local services within a week.
Important: what these sessions are not
These sessions do not in any way replace your clinical care or antenatal education. I am not a clinician, and I do not give medical advice. I will signpost you to resources, evidence and further services that may help you with knowledge, decision-making and support you on the perinatal journey.
Your doula
I'm Sarah, a birth and postnatal doula in Wellington. I trained with Continuum Doulas in Frome, UK, and Doula UK officially recognised me as a birth doula in March 2026 after a three-year mentoring process. I work alongside your LMC and clinical care team and do not give medical advice. You can read more about me and my mahi on the About page.
As well as my training and experience, I draw on peer-reviewed evidence from international and national sources, guidelines, reference materials and I will always do my best to be clear where the evidence is limited or a choice you are facing has trade-offs.
Price, booking and terms
Birth planning session: 90 minutes $150
Postpartum planning add-on session available after your birth planning session: 60 minutes, $100
Both sessions must be completed before 37 weeks of pregnancy. Past 37 weeks? Get in touch and I will let you know what is possible.
Bookings open on Monday 9 November
Terms:
Sessions are booked according to mutual availability.
Written birth preferences document to arrive within one week of each session.
Sessions run on Google Meet.
Cancel more than two weeks before your session and you will receive a full refund.
Cancel within two weeks and you receive a 50% refund, or rearrange the date.
If your circumstances change before your session, including pregnancy loss, an early birth or a medical complication, you will receive a full refund.
FAQ
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No, these sessions stand alone. If you decide during or after our session you might like me to support at your birth, please ask about my availability.
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No. I am a doula, which is not a clinical role. My support and is in practical, informational, emotional and advocacy terms. These planning sessions do not replace your clinical care or antenatal education, they are designed to help you feel empowered about the decisions you will face as you plan your labour and birth. Please speak to your midwife, obstetrician, GP or other healthcare provider for any medical questions.
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No, it would just be helpful if you read it before we meet and note anything you are unsure of or that stands out. We will use it as the basis of our conversation.
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A device with a camera and microphone, a reliable internet connection and a quiet space. I will send you a Google Meet link to join - you do not need a Google account to use the link.
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Yes, and I strongly encourage them to bring their own questions too.
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You are welcome regardless of where you plan to have your baby. The content of our discussion will be tailored to your circumstances and choices.
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Yes. We will go through the likely choices, decisions and scenarios, including induction and c-section, so you know what to expect and can say what matters to you.
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So there is time to put your preferences in place before your baby might arrive!
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A 60-minute session about planning for the early weeks at home with your baby, available only after your birth planning session.
Feedback:
“It was really useful to speak to someone who has seen lots of real births, especially specifically in our area. Lots of information we have got has been generic advice.”
“Sarah provided just the support we needed for baby #2 through online sessions validating and supporting how we were feeling and our next steps.”