Doula Chiara Lops

Trust

• Together, we will discover your resources, your own ability to face the adventure of motherhood. I will be there to encourage you, because often the fear of making mistakes can hinder your initiatives or thoughts.

• I’ll be there to help you “normalize” what may seem like an obstacle, to put everything into the right perspective. During pregnancy, changes and everyday practical problems can seem insurmountable. Even more so if you experience pregnancy in a foreign country.

• Relying on a doula also means regaining the right perspective on events. My goal is to instill confidence and tranquility, preparing you for future challenges.

Doula Chiara Lops

Attentive listening

The practical assistance of a doula is always combined with attention to your emotional experience.

• I am prepared for actively listening to your thoughts, doubts, and fears, which will always be welcomed and safeguarded.
• Any emotion and thought will be received without any prejudice or judgment – which may, in good faith, come from people more involved in the family experience.
• We can face the expectations and fears of pregnancy together if you wish
• I always bring my closeness to mothers without exceeding the limit of our relationship, to always foster the best possible experience of motherhood.

Doula Chiara Lops

Practical support and assistance

My support can practically facilitate you during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postnatal period.

Doula Chiara Lops

Awareness

I promote decision autonomy for every mother regarding pregnancy and childbirth, but it’s crucial that every choice is an informed one.

• It’s not always easy to navigate and fully understand all the possibilities, especially when facing an unknown healthcare system in a foreign country – for example, when labor induction is truly necessary, or how and why your pregnancy might be considered ‘non-physiological’ or ‘at risk’
• A doula provides informed support and updated information on various issues and the rights of the mother, as well as the healthcare structures she encounters. You’ll gain a better understanding of what’s important to know in order to make informed decisions
• You’ll receive practical information that enhances awareness of what is actually available for you and increase your margin for action

Doula Chiara Lops

Choice

Once you have stacked up on all the info, you will be supported to decide according to your preferences. My role as your doula will always be one of support; I will help you to voice your needs and ensure they are addressed and met, so that there are no unexpressed desires to regret in the future. It’s a personalized learning experience based on your individual conditions and concerns, which helps you gain confidence in your decisions. I’ll accompany you in asking for what you desire, without fear, and taking control of your motherhood experience, including the choice of your birth team.

Doula Chiara Lops

Responsibility

Going through motherhood means feeling like the protagonist of an important journey, but it also entails many responsibilities – especially if you’re experiencing pregnancy for the first time.

My support helps you to be aware of the challenges of childbirth and supports you in every decision regarding pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting. I’ll help you become aware of your nurturing abilities, encouraging your responsibilities as a parent.

Doula Chiara Lops

Support for couples and families

Parenthood is a transformative experience not only in the life of a woman and her child, but also of her partner. For this reason, as a doula, I accompany couples in welcoming the new life on the way.

• “I always interact discreetly, respecting specific needs – because every family has different needs and must find its own parenting experience.
• Practical advice and daily assistance help the couple manage the newborn, but also provide support during childbirth and postpartum (i.e., partner care in the hospital, overnight assistance).
• I help mothers and couples retrace their personal birth story as well as their experiences as children, which often resurface during the arrival of a new life. Understanding the mechanisms of one’s own experiences can support the couple in processing them and improving parenting skills.
• I’ll always be present and ‘behind the scenes’ at the same time, to create a welcoming environment where families can thrive.

Doula Chiara Lops 

Single mothers

My presence will be particularly valuable for all women experiencing motherhood without the support of a partner.

• I provide support in preparing for childbirth, accompanying you in every situation: from emotional support to assistance during specialized appointments, all the way down to daily practical support.
• I share useful information on childbirth responsibilities and choices, opportunities for single mothers, etc.
• During childbirth, I help you emotionally to boost self-esteem and encourage you practically, through mirroring breathing techniques or giving you a relaxing massage.
• In the postpartum period, I can make a difference by supporting you at night, helping with meal preparation, diaper changes, breastfeeding management, and so on.

As a doula for single mothers, I further enhance listening, attention to your needs, and your well-being.

Doula Chiara Lops

Expat mothers living in Italy

Are you a foreign national who’s decided to give birth in Italy? My mission goes beyond the traditional competencies of emotional and practical support. As an English-speaking doula familiar with the local area, traditions and healthcare system, I can guide you towards the best childbirth experience in Italy.

• My support for foreign expectant mothers involves accompanying them during pregnancy in a concrete way, both linguistically and practically (bureaucracy, assistance with integrating into the local culture, translations, etc.).
• You will receive all the necessary information to understand how the Italian healthcare system works, access to healthcare services, and services dedicated to motherhood.
• My presence provides significant emotional support for foreign mothers who find themselves far from their family of origin.
• Having given birth abroad myself, I can understand what you are going through and what can bring you comfort!

Contact me if you are looking for a doula for foreign mothers in Milan and throughout Northern Italy (Lombardy, Piedmont, Veneto, Trentino, Emilia-Romagna, Liguria, and Tuscany, etc.).

If you are in a different region, don’t hesitate to get in touch: I will be able to advise you on the best way to work together!

Doula Chiara Lops

Blessingway

When the time comes, this ritual dedicated exclusively to you as a future mother needs to be prepared down to the smallest detail. As a doula, I’ll be by your side to help you organize an unforgettable Blessingway

• I will accompany you towards your birth experience by arranging this special gathering with the women in your life whom you wish to have around you on this occasion
• I will stand by you in this celebration dedicated to you as a future mother, assisting you in the preparations you desire: refreshments, music, candles, items, and photos to relive your memories…
• If you wish, we can prepare two distinct parts: one especially dedicated to you and the women in your circle (the Blessingway itself), and a second part open to the whole family.
• I am also available if you decide to organize a baby shower celebration, accepting gifts for the new arrival or revealing the gender of your baby

Doula Chiara Lops

Giving birth at home

Every birth should be respected in the timing and manner decided by the mother and the family.

Giving birth at home has seen an increase in interest in Italy, and it is a legal option in our country. Many women, both Italian and foreigners, see it as an alternative and informed choice for childbirth.

My responsibility as a doula will be to inform you about the opportunities for home birth, with the presence of medical and professional support alongside you.

• You will discover that home birth is possible and safe in the case of a low-risk pregnancy.
• You will have all the necessary midwifery assistance and medical supplies for a safe home birth.
• You will benefit from continuity of assistance: midwives are available to you with several meetings before labor and follow you constantly even after birth. You will have a doula by your side, taking care of you emotionally and practically, before and during the home birth.
• An already well-coordinated team, who knows how to assist in the birth of a child at home. We know you and will facilitates and support your choices

Doula Chiara Lops

Flexibility

My presence as a doula can vary depending on the path you choose to take and the moment we meet. However, my commitment will always be 100%: I am a doula who has chosen this role as my sole profession.