Discover how acupuncture can support fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum recovery with Zoe Papadatos from Coastal Wellness Cottage in this local spotlight.

Curious about hiring a doula on the Central Coast? This in-depth FAQ covers everything you need to know, from costs to support during home birth, VBAC, and more.

Explore the shift from outdated birth beliefs to modern, empowering approaches that honour choice, support, and confidence through every stage of birth.

More than 1 in 3 babies in Australia are born via cesarean, and while this procedure can be life-saving, experts estimate that up to half of cesareans could be safely avoided. Whether you're planning a cesarean, hoping for a VBAC, or simply exploring your options, informed choices matter.

Meet Katey Molenaar, a women’s health physiotherapist on the Central Coast at Gaiacology in Gosford.

Welcome to a new series where I introduce you to some of our incredible practitioners and women’s health service providers on the Central Coast. First up, Rhiannon James Doula who runs beautiful pregnancy circles and offers postpartum care and support.

Labor isn’t something you just endure—you can actively make it easier. A birth course like Birth Different teaches you powerful tools like breath work, movement, and relaxation that help you work with your body instead of against it. If you want to feel prepared, confident, and in control during birth, investing in the right birth education is the game-changer you need.

Most people enter labor feeling more fearful than prepared—but it doesn’t have to be that way. A birth course like Birth Different gives you the tools to manage contractions, understand what’s happening in your body, and approach birth with confidence. Whether you’re planning a hospital birth or a home birth, the right birth education can transform the way you experience labor.

The first time around, it’s all about cute outfits and prams with coffee cup holders. The second time? You’re booking a doula and prepping postpartum meals. But here’s the thing—you can have both. Let’s get you ready for a confident birth and a well-supported postpartum.

Water is one of the most powerful (and underrated) tools for pregnancy and birth. From easing back pain to helping you relax in labor, it’s a total game-changer. As a Central Coast doula, I’m all about practical, no-nonsense support—so here are 7 simple ways to harness the magic of H₂O for a more comfortable, confident birth.

When it comes to spending money, girl math is all about turning a perceived splurge into a savvy investment—and hiring a doula is the ultimate example (promise I’m not biased!). Sure, doulas provide emotional and physical support during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum, but here’s the secret sauce: they also can SAVE you serious cash. From avoiding unnecessary purchases to cutting hospital costs, investing in a doula isn’t just self-care—I like to call it savvy financial planning.

When my baby cousin announced her pregnancy, I couldn’t wait to celebrate her journey into motherhood… not just as her doula but as family!!!

But as I thought about what gift to give, I realized that she’d likely be inundated with adorable onesies, blankets, and baby toys. I wanted to gift her something different—a gift that would support her emotionally, offer her encouragement, and feel truly personal. So I decided to create a DIY Affirmation Kit: a box full of love, inspiration, and tools to help her feel empowered during pregnancy, birth, and beyond.

For modern mama’s, resting postpartum can be one of the hardest things to do. Why? Because we’re wired to constantly be going, to be hustling, to be managing the house AND to be working at the same time. Often, when you’ve just had a baby, without solid support, you will find yourself cooking meals for toddlers (or yourself), cleaning up bits and bobs (because you can’t stand the mess) or running around doing errands (because who else will do it?).

I am very privileged to work in a network of incredible humans who are all dedicated to supporting women and their families through the unique transitions of pregnancy, birth & postpartum.

Below is a list of local practitioners and service providers who I wholeheartedly recommend on the Central Coast.

I first tried Date Mylk in my own postpartum with Lola, and my WORLD was changed. This drink is like a hug in a mug. Creamy, sweet, soft & warms the insides leaving you feeling on cloud 9.

I now make this for mama’s I’m caring for postpartum, not just because of reasons already stated, but because there are also huge benefits to consuming dates in the days after birth:

If you’ve done your any private birth education, you’ll know exactly what I’m taking about when I say “use your BRAINS” in pregnancy and birth. Of course, I don’t mean your actual brain, although, that is often helpful. I mean the decision making acronym B.R.A.I.N.S that will help you decide if something is a HELL YES or a no thanks. Not only this, it will help guide conversations with your health care providers so that you can fully give informed consent for anything that is done to you or your baby.

I think it’s about time we re-branded Due Dates for good. Due Dates are not only totally out of date (no pun intended), but they are inaccurate 96% of the time and usually do more harm than good by putting unnecessary pressure on mums.

So… how did we come to getting these EDDs (estimated due dates)?

I feel that the idea of a doula is misunderstood in so many ways. In fact, I even named my business The “Modern” Doula because I felt that we needed to modernise the type of care women and their partner’s receive in birth, as we now birth in systemic places like hospitals, instead of the home where traditionally, circles of women and birth keepers would be present.

Perhaps I’m too far ahead of myself though because, let’s be honest, most people don’t even know what a doula is. If i could direct those people here, I would. In the meantime, here are 5 things I wish more people knew about doulas.