Bree Stafford, Doula and Birth Photographer
About me
My name is Bree (formerly known as Bree Downes) and I have three divine children who’s births have completely opened my heart to what is possible. My two beautiful boys, whose arrivals took me on a journey through an intervention filled hospital birth, resulting in a Cesarean with my first son. The process of planning a vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) with my second son, resulting in a repeat, yet empowered cesarean. And my darling daughter, who after realising that everything I needed was within, not external to me, was lovingly birthed at home.
Becoming a Doula
This, combined with my doula training with Rhea Dempsey in 2009, has enabled me to support pregnant and labouring women in their journey to motherhood. I am passionate about holistic pre-natal preparation for all new mothers to be, and I have a special interest in VBAC, having experienced and achieved it myself. My calling is to provide women with the wisdom, information and power that I wish I had leading into my first son’s arrival.
Birth photography
Documenting your birthing journey has fast become my favourite thing to offer my clients alongside my support. The two offerings blend beautifully to create an amazing experience that is eternalised in print. This is truly my life’s work.
Nothing else compares to watching a woman move mountains with her own self, watching her rise to a challenge and meet the moment with all that she has. I feel privileged and blessed to have found my calling in birth work. I am passionate about informing and supporting women to achieve an empowering birth experience through nurturing support and professional photographic documentation.
I provide continuous emotional, physical and spiritual support during your pregnancy and your baby’s birth, along with gorgeous imagery should you choose. I live in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne and can travel up to 1 hour to either your hospital or home birth.
Please see here for a list of hospitals in my area of service.
If you would like to read my birthing story please click here.