Birth Doula

Doula's are highly trained to offer physical, emotional and informational support to women during labour, birth and in the immediate post-natal period. With the support of a Doula many women have been able to achieve a positive birth with a reduced use of epidurals, opioid pain relief cesarean births. A Doula would empower a woman and her birth partner to communicate her needs and desires to allow her to achieve a  positive birth experience how ever she chooses to birth.

Doula's are able to provide support by providing personalised continuity of care throughout pregnancy and birth. They are trained to provide specific labour support techniques and strategies which can be personalised for your and your family's specific situation. This support can empower woman to achieve the birth that they choose and to open up and facilitate conversations between the mother and her medical caregivers. 

I have been trained as a Doula as part of a Birth and Beyond Degree with the University of Worcester. I have undertaken additional training in aromatherapy, homeopathy, biomechanics for birth and safe sleep. 

I have gained experience in many types of birth and my support extends to however and wherever you would like to birth your baby.

The Oxford English Dictionary's definition of a Doula is;

"A woman who gives support, help and advice to another woman during pregnancy, during and after the birth."

According to research having a Doula can mean;

• A reduced risk of Caesarean Birth
• A reduced risk of instrumental birth
• A reduced need for pain killers and epidurals during birth
• A reduced rate of induction
• A shorter labour
• Increased parental satisfaction of the birth experience
• Increased likelihood of initiating breastfeeding
• Increased likelihood of successfully establishing breastfeeding 
• A lower instance of postnatal depressive symptoms

After our initial meeting I would meet you and your birth partner if you have one, in the comfort of your home for 2 or 3 visits. During these meetings we will discuss birth preferences, pain management options, active birth skills, massage techniques and practical coping strategies along with any other concerns, wishes and desires for your pregnancy and birth. These meetings not only allow me to share with you evidence based information, the benefit of my extensive training, knowledge and experience but will enable us to build a relationship so I can offer you and your family true continuity of care and personalised support throughout your pregnancy, labour and birth.

You will have unlimited phone and email support from me during pregnancy and I will be on call 24 hours a day from around your 38-42 weeks of pregnancy for in person support during labour and birth.

I will offer my support during the first few hours after birth to help get breastfeeding off to the best possible start and will meet you again in person for one post-natal visit.

I can also offer Pay as you go Antenatal Support. With antenatal appointments feeling rushed or perhaps you don't feel you have been given enough time to explore a topic further with your health care provider I can offer one to one support via zoom at a time that suits you.

If your journey to birth is changing, If you would appreciate some further support with your birth preferences, or perhaps you have been told you are "not allowed" to birth how you choose you can book in sessions for as much time as you might need.