AUDE LEMINEUR-MURRAY, birth doula
Aude Lemineur - Murray
Birth Doula.
I am a mother of two, former Secondary school English teacher (in France), and passionate about pregnancy, birth and supporting families in this beautifully intense journey that is parenthood.
As an expat, I knew very little about the maternity system in Ireland so when I got pregnant at the end of 2013, my initial reaction was to panic. I froze. A friend suggested I did some research and hired a doula, which I did and I had an amazing and empowering birthing experience. After that I knew I wanted to become a doula, so I trained with DONA in October 2015 and from then on, I felt honored every time I got to support a family.
I trained in Rebozo use with The Doula Element in February 2016 and in June of the same year I professionally trained in Dancing For BirthTM, then certified for three years as an instructor. I still use the programme to promote mobility in labour and birth as I absolutely believe it is a great tool to have in a 'birth kit'.
I loved rebozos so much I trained with the amazing Thea Van Tuyl in November 2017 in advanced rebozo techniques. These two trainings complemented each other really well.
Another element I have always used and wanted to incorporate to my skills is aromatherapy. I grew up using oils so it felt natural to study aromatherapy. I am newly qualified in aromatherapy, as of May 2019, and have just started the next level, an advanced aromatherapy course and am very excited to learn more about the chemistry and science behind it.
I had a beautiful homebirth in August 2018 where my then four year-old daughter, my husband, midwives, student midwife and fantastic doula, which only reaffirmed my love for playing a part in helping to normalise the beauty of pregnancy, labour and birth.
I currently serve as a birth doula in Dublin city.