Birth & Beyond officially launches maternal support services in Seychelles |29 January 2021

The official logo of Birth & Beyond

The official logo of Birth & Beyond

In the following interview with Celia Ponzo, we learn more about each of the maternal support services that she is offering as part of her newly launched business, Birth & Beyond.

Ms Ponzo, founder of Birth & Beyond, has a Bsc in Medical Anthropology and a Masters in Public Health from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. She has also trained to be a Maternal Support Practioner, also known as a Doula.

Seychelles NATION: In our interview with you last year where you explained what your role as a Doula is, Birth & Beyond had not yet launched its services in Seychelles. Can you remind us briefly of the services you are offering?

Celia Ponzo:The focus is to prepare pregnant couples for their birth in order for them to be informed in detail what will happen during that day, as well as being mentally relaxed, and looking forward to the birth rather than being anxious about the day! I also support women who have gone through birth already but want a more positive and calm experience.

Birth & Beyond also focuses on providing pregnant women with the tools to have a successful start to their breastfeeding journey should they wish to breastfeed, as well as preparing new parents for the life changing experience of having a baby. This includes the basics of new-born care, what to expect in terms of sleep, mental health and the baby’s behaviour in the first months.

I also focus beyond birth, hence the name. We focus so much on the birth that we forget to create a support network after birth. Women need to be supported and looked after as much as the baby in the very beginning of motherhood. Hence I provide whatever support they need after birth, whether its breastfeeding concerns, sleep issues with their baby or struggling with their new role as a mother, etc.

Seychelles NATION: You mentioned that you offer a range of different types of packages. Tell us more about these.

Celia Ponzo:The different packages that I provide include the following:

• Birth Preparation
• Hypnobirthing
• Breastfeeding
• Postpartum
• Sleep

These can all be taken prenatally in preparation of having a baby, and can all be done as a group as well, however a minimum of 3 people is needed.

The packages are 5 sessions of 2 hours long each, and it is really a full preparation of each subject of interest. Clients however are able to choose their sessions and do not necessarily need to do the full package, but rather pick their topic of interest.

I also offer postpartum support which is normally tailor-made regarding whatever concerns the parents are going through, and these will be made in the form of one-off consultations.

When restrictions relating to the coronavirus pandemic are lifted, I will be starting group classes (minimum of 3 people to be able to run a group class) and will be focusing on three subjects to be taken prenatally:

1. Prenatal relaxation: breathing exercise, relaxation techniques, bonding with baby, fear release;

2. Breastfeeding preparation: benefits, tips, possible concerns and how to navigate these;

3. Postpartum preparation: what to expect in terms of sleep, mental health, general care.

I will also focus on postpartum classes, including:

1. Breastfeeding support - for mothers who struggle with breastfeeding; 

2. Motherhood - for women to talk about their emotions and how they feel as new mothers;

3. Sleep support – for parents who struggle with their sleep.

Seychelles NATION: With the measures in place to stop the spread of Covid-19, how are you adapting your services for your clients’ health and safety?

Celia Ponzo:I also provide virtual sessions for those who feel more comfortable consulting at a distance online.

During this time of the pandemic, I will promote different tips on how to keep healthy, how to manage the postpartum period alone, should restrictions be in place at the hospital, etc.

Of course, once restrictions are lifted, I will still keep to the Ministry of Health (MoH) guidelines relating to Covid-19, which is to keep groups small in order to have a safe distance between people, wearing of masks, and the use of hand sanitiser at the beginning of class.

For more information:

-           Visit: www.birthnbeyond.net

-           Follow: Instagram: birth_beyond_

-           Email: celia.doffay@gmail.com

-           Telephone/WhatsApp: 2 780 232

F.P.