Professional perinatal support

Professional perinatal support is a unique form of work that is, first and foremost, built on the deep immersion of the support person into the situation and living space of the pregnant woman and her family. It is not like ordinary help or consultation — it is a journey of shared presence, mutual acceptance, and support throughout pregnancy and childbirth. The timing of meetings is fluid, and appointments can be difficult to schedule. The relationship between the birth companion and the family is the foundation that determines how the entire birth process unfolds — how safe, empowering, and resourceful it will be.
It is important to understand that any party can step back at any time if the connection does not form — because support during childbirth is impossible without trust and sincere engagement.
Contact with another, with oneself, and with what is happening — this is the key to building relationships that have intrinsic value, where support and acceptance become a foundation for a positive birth experience. When choosing a perinatal companion, not only professional competence matters but also personality, life experience, inner beliefs, and the ability to be present throughout pregnancy and childbirth. The task of the support person is incredibly complex in its apparent simplicity — to remain present throughout the birthing process with the woman and her family, maintaining a sense of safety, strength, and autonomy.
To be with a woman at this most crucial moment in life means to be alive, authentic, non-imposing, and not overwhelming the situation with one’s own fears or expectations. The birth companion creates a space in which trust is born first and foremost, senses what is unspoken, and respects every choice the woman makes — even if it seems foreign or unfamiliar. Perinatal support is the art of being, of loving, and walking alongside — an art that heals and helps the mother, father, and child to grow.

How do I understand professional perinatal support?

It is an interdisciplinary field that brings together non-medical forms of support during conception, pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. The companion provides not only physical and emotional support, but also guidance through the healthcare system, facilitates communication between the family and medical staff (midwives and obstetricians), informs about available options and rights, assists in decision-making, and creates comfort and relieves tension in stressful situations.
This is a professional who is available 24/7, ready to step in at any moment and provide long-term support for pregnancy and childbirth — for as long as the woman and her family need. Amidst the flow of information, advice, and external opinions, they help focus on what truly matters in the moment, supporting the family’s sense of responsibility and independence.

How is professional support different from personal experience?

Many believe that having personal experience of pregnancy and childbirth is enough to help others. But perinatal support is an entirely different level. It's not about "I went through that too" or handing out "formulas." It’s about the ability to listen, to hear, and to see without judgment; to constantly reflect on one’s own motives and emotions; and to deeply respect the choices of the woman and her family.
A professional companion knows how to separate their own personal experience from the support process — they do not interfere, impose, or lecture. They create a space where autonomy and strength are born, without illusions or manipulations. This is both an art and a responsibility that cannot be learned from books or videos. It is a skill of living, growing, and being honest with oneself.

Main dangers and challenges in perinatal support

Harmful motives that can damage the process and harm the family:

• The desire to "save the world" or "do everything right" — this is not support, but a need to control and change.
• Helping the “needy” in order to feel important — this disempowers the woman, strips her of responsibility, and weakens her.
• The desire to "do a good deed" for recognition and gratitude — the true result lies not in praise, but in the joy of witnessing a woman’s strength and independence.
• Unresolved personal issues and a lack of emotional maturity — working in support requires clarity, emotional hygiene, and well-defined boundaries.
• Attempts to teach and impose personal experience — this obstructs the real process and narrows the woman’s space.
• The most dangerous trait is intrusion — when the companion crosses boundaries and disrespects the woman’s needs. The safe zone is listening, clarifying, and accompanying without pressure or persuasion. Support is not propaganda, nor a fight for ideals — it is pure presence and compassion.

Education and Professional Path

Training in professional perinatal support is a long and profound journey. A one-year course based on mentorship and support combines theory and practice, including supervision and real births under the guidance of experienced specialists. This approach not only teaches knowledge but also cultivates essential personal qualities — the ability to feel, accept, take responsibility, and not lose oneself.
A vital stage of training is supervised support in maternity hospitals, where students gain experience within the real healthcare system, learn to interact with medical staff, and protect the family’s interests.

Why is it important to study perinatal support?

Because it is not just a job — it is a calling, an art, and a responsibility. You can’t just “decide to help” — you must be aware of your own motives, know how to manage your emotions, and avoid projecting your experiences and needs onto others. You must learn to listen, to be there without imposing, to respect choices, and to create a safe space.
In this kind of support, not only a new life is born — but also a new strength in the woman, in the family, in the new family. It is a long, sometimes difficult, but immensely important path, which one must walk consciously, with an open heart and a clear mind, with a sincere desire to work — including on one’s inner world.
I invite everyone who is ready to walk this path — to learn and grow, to support and be supported.

Professional perinatal support is not just a profession — it is a way of life, the art of being with someone in their most important process, a journey that lasts a lifetime.