I am Viktória Hegedűs, your postpartum doula
My name is Viktória Hegedűs, I am a mother of two, a postpartum doula and a volunteer breastfeeding helper. I am a lawyer by my original profession but my first pregnancy and birth started off a wonderful journey for me.
My mission is to restore the importance, dignity and sacredness of the postpartum period. My mission is to support you physically, mentally and spiritually in these sensitive and vulnerable times so that you can feel held, heard and honored.
My mission is to serve your full recovery after giving birth as best as I can within my competencies. In order to achieve this besides the modern knowledge, I also use traditional methods and rituals that stood the test of time.
Explore the steps I took along the way.
My name is Viktória Hegedűs, I am a mother of two, a postpartum doula and a volunteer breastfeeding helper. I am a lawyer by my original profession but my first pregnancy and birth started off a wonderful journey for me.
My mission is to restore the importance, dignity and sacredness of the postpartum period. My mission is to support you physically, mentally and spiritually in these sensitive and vulnerable times so that you can feel held, heard and honored.
My mission is to serve your full recovery after giving birth as best as I can within my competencies. In order to achieve this besides the modern knowledge, I also use traditional methods and rituals that stood the test of time.
Explore the steps I took along the way.
Explore the steps I took along the way!
1. ) From Fear to Faith and Enthusiasm
Early on in my first pregnancy I realized I was terrified of giving birth and I knew I have to overcome this fear. That was the beginning of my journey towards becoming a doula. So I started educating myself and I managed to turn my biggest fear into a triumph: a beautiful natural home birth. This event was a true initiation into Women Power for me and I could experience the loving acceptance and support of our midwives who held space for us at our big event. It also founded my faith in natural processes and made me realize I have to walk this path .
2. ) DONA Doula
In 2017 I completed a basic DONA doula course with Réka Dézsi that deepened my knowledge in birth and how I can best support mothers during the process.
3. ) Postpartum Helper
My interest gradually turned towards the postpartum period. In 2018 I took part in Miskovics-Kobza Zsuzsanna Meső’s postpartum helper training where I learned about the processes that take place in the mother’s body after giving birth. I also got to know how I can help new families during this period taking into account the physical and the mental aspects too. I still wanted to enrich my knowledge in postpartum care.
4. ) Moroccan Traditional Postpartum Doula
In 2019 I came across Layla B.’s The Nafsa Project School online training. I knew I was meant to complete this course. I got to know the traditional Moroccan midwives’ practices in the postpartum period, how they used to care for and heal the new mother. I’ve been trained to cook traditional Moroccan meals that support the new mother’s (the Nafsa’s) healing. I learned how to transform an ordinary bathroom into a luxury spa and perform a hammam bath and steaming and I also got to know how to do the closing of the bones ceremony. However, most importantly this course shifted my mindset. In Morocco the Nafsa (new mother) is celebrated and cared for like a bride, like a queen. She gets beautiful new clothes, jewelry, make up and everyone celebrates her. This is how every new mother shall be honored. I knew right away that I wanted to give this as many new mothers as possible.
5. ) Volunteer Breastfeeding Supporter
In 2019 I also completed a volunteer breastfeeding supporter course with Ibolya Rózsa IBCLC lactation consultant in order to be able to give proper help within my competences in basic breastfeeding concerns.
6. ) Henna Bodypainter
In 2019 I learned how to do henna body painting on a course of Csillámvilág so that I can provide 100% natural and safe belly henna for pregnant mothers or any other henna motives for anyone who requests it.
7. ) Expert of Hungarian Postpartum Traditions
Later I started studying Hungarian postpartum traditions based on Ilona Bernád’s book titled „The Divine Process” (Isteni folyamat). In February 2020 I also had the privilege to hold a presentation in English in this topic at the 2nd Sacred Postpartum Summit organized by Layla B. where more than 4000 people registered from all over the world.
8. ) Experienced Mother
Being a mother myself, I gained lots of experience in baby-wearing, breastfeeding, cloth diapering and natural newborn care. I also practice the tools of Hand-in-Hand Parenting. Motherhood took me to the next level in my self-discovery journey and I continue to develop myself with different tools and methods. I meditate on a regular basis and I think it’s important to learn to love myself unconditionally, since I strongly believe that this is the path towards a happy and whole life experience.
Let’s speak the same language!
Who is a doula?
Doula is a word of Greek origin. It means a person, usually a woman, who often has own experiences as a mother, completed a doula training and provides non-medical support for the mother before, during and after the birth of her baby.
What is the significance of postpartum period in our lives?
Giving birth is one of the most important rites of passages in a woman’s life in my opinion. However, when our baby sees daylight important changes continue to happen. Our womb shrinks back to its original size, our blood quantity goes back to „one-person mode”, our milk comes in so that we are able to feed our baby and the list could go on and on. In order to support these processes, our body needs a lot of rest, we need to drink lots of liquid, eat nutritious food and keep ourselves warm.
On a soul level we are transformed into a mother (or a mother of two, three, four, etc.). We get to know our baby, learn to recognize his/her signals. This also requires a tranquil environment. Last but not least on a spiritual level the open state returns gradually to everyday life. We can support this by grounding ourselves, resting, getting a massage, paying attention to our body’s needs. In order to help our body heal fully it is worth having extra help around if possible.
Why is it a good idea to plan the postpartum period?
The process of birth is usually hard to predict and control. Many times events turn out differently than expected. However, the postpartum period is easier to plan in many ways. It is worth preparing for these weeks in advance. No matter how the birth turned out, the weeks after can be as tranquil, healing and supporting as possible.
How can I support you as a postpartum doula?
As a postpartum doula my goal is to help you physically, mentally and spiritually by being there and listening to you, doing small house-hold tasks, preparing you nourishing food, supporting your recovery with healing rituals as the hammam and the closing of the bones ceremony. With my help you can make sure to feel stronger, healthier, more balanced and more confident after the postpartum period. With my support the process of becoming a father can be smoother too, as I hold space for the new family so that every member can find his/her place in the new situation.
How I can help you as a volunteer breastfeeding helper?
As a volunteer breastfeeding helper my goal is to provide basic breastfeeding-related information and support so that I can help you succeed in feeding your baby naturally. With my help you can make sure to feel stronger, healthier, more balanced and more confident after the postpartum period. If the problem exceeds my competencies, I will advise you to seek help from an IBCLC consultant.
If you need a consultation solely on basic breastfeeding issues, I provide it free of charge.
