Birth & Postnatal Doula
Supporting you as a Doula
Bringing your baby into the world, whether it’s your first, second or more, creates big and beautiful changes. It’s a hugely transformative experience where you deserve to feel safe, supported and like someone’s got your back the whole time. So from the moment you book me as your Doula, I’m there for you at each step. I’ll be a part of your team and I'll support you practically and emotionally through your pregnancy, at the birth of your baby and in the early weeks of parenthood.
Here’s what you can expect with me as your Doula:
In pregnancy
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You’ll feel safe, cared-for and listened-to. As your doula I’m there to hold space for you to explore your feelings and wishes around birth and caring for your baby.
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In a system where you’ll no doubt see lots of different healthcare professionals on your journey, I’ll be your constant: a familiar & reassuring presence. I can even come to appointments with you if you’d like this extra support.
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I’ll help you prepare for labour, birth and the early weeks with your baby through our antenatal sessions (which can include my full hypnobirthing course) in your own home with your birth partner.
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I don’t advocate a certain type of birth or place of birth. I want you to have a POSITIVE birth and that looks different for every person and could change for you through our time together.
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I’ll help you work out what feels right for you, navigate the maternity system and support you & your birth partner to feel confident advocating for yourselves.
For your birth
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I’ll be on call for your birth 24/7 from around 38 weeks until your baby is born.
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I’ll support you wherever you choose to have your baby. I’ll be with you during labour and birth from the moment you need me and I’ll stay with you until you feel settled with your baby.
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I’ll know your birth preferences inside out and will be advocating for you and supporting you and your partner.
Postnatally
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I’ll come and see you in the week after your birth when you can reflect on your birth experience if you'd like to.
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You’ll then have me ‘in your pocket’ during the first four weeks as you navigate the early days with your new baby. You’ll be able to call or message me if you need any support or reassurance.
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You have the option to book me for further 1:1 support in your home where I can help with anything from being a listening ear to light housework to holding your baby while you have a nap or take a bath.
Take a look at my doula packages below.
Payments
For Birth Doula packages, a 50% deposit will secure your booking and payment plans are available for the remaining balance. This is payable by four weeks before my on-call period starts.
My Qualifications
My qualifications range from qualifying as an antenatal teacher and breastfeeding counsellor with the University of Worcester, Hypnobirthing teacher training with Love Your Birth to completing my Doula training with Nurturing Birth. I'm a pregnancy & postnatal yoga teacher, trained with Sally Parkes Yoga and I've also completed training courses on Biomechanics For Birth and Aromatherapy for Childbirth.
It’s so important that you feel I’m the right Doula for you so I offer a free, no obligation Zoom or telephone catch-up so you can decide if we’re a good match.
Standard Birth Doula Package
What’s included?
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My full support from the third trimester onwards (around 27 weeks) via voice notes and messages. I want you to feel like someone has your back. Whether it be navigating the maternity system, offering reassurance, building confidence and exploring your options in preparation for birth or a simple check in and a chat when you need it.
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Two x 2hr antenatal visits at your home to help you feel prepared for birth. Through these sessions you’ll gain the confidence and knowledge to decide on your birth preferences and learn about your options and the recommendations that may come your way. We’ll chat through your choices around aspects of labour and birth and I’ll support you to create your birth plan. During these sessions I’ll get to know you and your partner even more and find out about your wishes. With all of my packages I offer an additional coffee catch up as you approach (or pass!) your estimated due date if you’d like one.
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I’ll be on call for your birth 24/7 from 38 weeks until your baby is born. We will have discussed in depth about how and when to contact me. (If you go into labour before 38 weeks, I will do everything I can to be there to support you).
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I’ll be by your side throughout labour wherever you're giving birth. Just knowing that you and your birth partner have that continuity of care and a familiar face will help you feel so much more relaxed. I’ll be a calming presence from whenever you need me, throughout labour and until you’re settled after your baby is born. I’ll know your birth preferences inside out and be advocating for you and supporting your partner.
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A postnatal visit. I’ll come to you for a 2hr postnatal visit where you can reflect on your birth, we can have a chat (and I’ll make you a hot drink!) and we can talk about how feeding is going.
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I’ll support you for the first four weeks after the birth. My care doesn’t stop as soon as your baby’s here – I’ll be part of your support network to help you feel confident navigating life with a newborn. My support continues until around four weeks post-birth via messages and calls. You’ll be able to call or message me when you need any added support and reassurance.
Enhanced Birth Doula Package
I recommend this package for first time parents and/or if you’d like support before the 3rd trimester.
What’s included?
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Everything in the Standard Package plus...
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My FULL bespoke Hypnobirthing antenatal course (four x 2hr sessions in your home completely tailored to your needs). All my hypnobirthing tracks, resources and an accompanying course manual are included. Hypnobirthing has amazing benefits and the course will leave you feeling so confident and with loads of practical skills and tips to have a positive experience.
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My full support will start from the point you hire me, no matter how early.
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Postnatal planning. I’ll help you reflect on what you’d like your immediate postnatal period to look like and help you create a postnatal plan so you feel ready, prepared and in control.
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A 2.5hr session in your home covering feeding and looking after your baby. As a breastfeeding counsellor I have supported hundreds of families on their feeding journeys. We’ll cover whatever you need - from breastfeeding, formula and combination feeding to safe sleeping and newborn behaviour.
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I can attend midwife / hospital visits with you if you'd like me to. Sometimes appointments can feel overwhelming and you may want someone there to support you and take on board any information/ recommendations that are being discussed. With me by your side you’ll feel extra confident in advocating for yourself every step of the way.
Postnatal Doula
Becoming a mother is a time when you need to feel settled, to rest and have the space to get to know your baby and feel your way around this new and often completely disorientating way of being. My aim as a postnatal Doula is to support you in whatever way you need in your early days and weeks of motherhood.
Postnatal Doula Support
1:1 support in your home (min 3hrs each visit)
How I support you on my visits depends on your needs at the time. It could be...
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Light house work - e.g. running the vacuum round, putting a load of washing on and hanging it up, stacking & emptying the dishwasher, washing up, putting shopping away.
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Help with daily tasks such as doing a quick shop, walking the dog, dropping off a parcel.
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Nourishment - preparing a meal and/or snacks from what you have at home, making you hot drinks.
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Emotional support - I offer a calm, nurturing presence so you can share/reflect/offload, for as long/often as you need.
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Reassurance - helping you tune into your instincts & supporting you with newborn care.
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Time for you - I can take care of your baby while you sleep/rest/take a bath.
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Signposting you to any resources that may be beneficial (e.g. chiropractor, lactation consultant)
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Text/phone/email support throughout our time together.