Janet Purcell RN CBD

A little about Me | The Birthplace Doula | Janet Purcell

My friends tell me I’ve been passionate about birth and supporting women all my life. As I’ve grown older and wiser, I’ve come to realise that isn’t how you birth but rather how you feel about your experience that matters.

When my first baby was born I suddenly realised how isolated I was. I had no extended family to help me. My husband worked away for 3 weeks at a time leaving us at home, quietly struggling. We survived of course but I can see all the ways I could have made life easier and happier for us. Planning support in postpartum and asking for help are essential to an easy transition.

It’s my own postpartum and birth experiences that have led me to becoming a doula. I started Birthplace about five years ago with the intent of changing birthing environments in Australia. Birthplace creates and curates beautiful pregnancy and birth essentials for a positive birth experience. This work immersed me even more into the maternity system and highlighted what mothers need more than ever… support.

My work background has a variety of roles that I believe give me a unique perspective of support, safety and health. I am a currently registered nurse however my role as a doula is non medical and has a well defined scope. I volunteered with the Australian Breastfeeding Association for 5 years and during this time completed training in breastfeeding education. I have a background in health and safety and educated families in Child and Baby First Aid for 2 years.

Doula work fills my heart. I feel truly grateful to be welcomed into families homes during such a special time in life.

Qualifications & Experience

-Birth Doula Training | Child Birth International
-Basic Skills in Perinatal Mental Health | COPE Foundation
-10280NAT Certificate IV in Breastfeeding Education | Australian Breastfeeding Association
-DV Alert Domestic and Family Violence Response Training | Life Line
-Registered Nurse | Cork University Hospital
-Current First Aid & CPR
-QLD Working With Children Blue Card Holder
-BSB41419 Certificate IV in Workplace Health & Safety
-Child & Baby First Aid Educator