Doula Services

Doula, (pronounced 'doola') is derived from a Greek word meaning 'caregiver' or 'woman servant'. In today's terms it refers to an experienced person who offers emotional and practical support to a birthing parent before, during and after childbirth.

Whatever your circumstances or background, I support all pregnancies and all parents-to-be are welcomed.

Together we can maximize your potential for a POSITIVE birth, where you feel respected and in control. Together we can discuss your birth preferences, plans and options, and your parenting choices.

I have experience working in all birth settings, home, hospital and theatre. I work comfortably alongside Midwives, Doctors, Consultants and Paediatricians, with you as the person in control of all your choices.

It is a good idea to talk to more than one Doula when choosing a Doula to support your birth. I offer a free first contact phone call, and if we feel a good connection, a further free meeting at your home, (or agreed place, such as a cafe), or at GOODBIRTH in 'The Snug', or a video call, for 45mins for an informal chat. It is important that you are completely comfortable with your Doula, and you are under no obligation to book me at this meeting! If you feel we are a good fit, we can find the right package for you and make our agreement. I have created theses packages, (names inspired by my beloved garden) but I am happy to quote for a service bespoke to you.

My Doula practice weaves traditional birth keeping with science, leaning in to nature's seasonal and lunar cycles. Birthing is very much like entering a labyrinth, a journey to the centre of yourself, and a return. My role is to walk with you as you find your way. not lead you.

LAVENDER

Birth Doula and Hypnobirthing

Private antenatal meetings and full Hypnobirthing course to ensure you and any birth partner/friend, feel prepared, whatever kind of birth you have. This will be bespoke to you, and I will offer up to 9 hours of visits at times to suit you.
A monthly wellbeing call for you to have the space and time to discuss any questions, any thoughts about your appointments, or to talk about how you are feeling.
On call availability around the clock for your birth from around 10 days/38 weeks (can be adjusted to suit personal needs e.g. twins) until your baby is born. I will be available for you to call me when you feel labour may be starting, and support by phone until you feel ready to invite me to come to support you. This will be different for everyone, maybe practical, nurturing, emotional or more for partner support.
Labour and birth support. Depending on your wishes I can help protect your birth environment to provide a relaxing atmosphere, protect your privacy, offer massage, ensure you have drinks and food, breathe with you, help you to try different positions, help you to the bathroom, ensure that any birth partner is cared for and comfortable, and support you both if plans change. I will comfort and nurture you if you want me to, or just be there quietly waiting, in case you need anything, a caring pair of hands. I work alongside any Midwives or doctors who may also be caring for you and providing clinical care. We will have got to know what your individual preferences are during your pregnancy. I offer continuous support that the NHS unfortunately, sometimes can not. I will be with you and your baby for the first feed and in the important immediate postnatal time, I will leave when you are comfortable.
A postnatal visit within the first two weeks after the birth I will offer to visit you at a time to suit you, either at home or hospital, for whatever support you may need, and talk through your birth, (around a three hour visit). You can also use this time for feeding support, time to rest while I take care of baby, help with first bath, time for yourself, or I can tidy/do dishes/laundry!
A second postnatal visit within the first three weeks will be offered, to support you through any early issues. Further postnatal support (day or night) can be arranged as a separate service if you wish (please see postnatal services).
Telephone, text and email contact until your baby is 3 weeks old. You can discuss any worries or ask me questions in this early time which can help you gain confidence or just reassure you. If appropriate I will advise you to contact a midwife, GP or Health Visitor, or signpost to other services.

Our antenatal sessions incorporate your full Hypnobirthing course, and are designed for your individual circumstances. You can ask me anything! I will offer evidence based information, signpost to other reliable resources if needed, and I will support your choices. You will maximise your potential of achieving a birth that you feel positive about.

Subjects to consider:

Creating a Birth Preferences/plan, discussing options and ideas
Place of birth options
Relaxation techniques
Breathing techniques
Baby's position before birth
The importance of hormones
Birth environment
Early labour signs and managing early labour
Eating and drinking in labour
Stages (rhythms) and mechanisms of labour
Being mobile and active, changing positions in labour
Waterbirth
Birth partner support, physical/practical/massage/emotional
Rebozo techniques (using a Mexican scarf)
Pain management options at home or hospital
Biomechanics of birth (if support is indicated)
Ways to navigate if your plans change
Immediate postnatal issues
Postpartum preparation
Early new born care, feeding/bathing

LAVENDER PACKAGE=£1400

FERN

Birth Support

Doula service, offering 6 hours antenatal birth preparation (as above, choosing from subjects that feel most relevant-without my Hypnobirthing course).
Ongoing message support during pregnancy (booked phone calls).
On call service availability for 3 weeks (times will be agreed together).
A postnatal visit, (3 hours, at home or hospital). You can use this time to have a cuppa together and talk about your birth, discuss any thoughts or worries, for feeding support, time to rest while I take care of baby, help with first bath, time for yourself, or I can be a practical support, tidy/do dishes/laundry!

FERN PACKAGE=£1100

CALENDULA

Pregnancy Doula

Continuous, nurturing support throughout pregnancy.

Birth preparation course, (two sessions, 3 hours each, see 'Willow' birth prep for more info) to consider your birth preferences and options, and prepare to become a parent. Sessions may be in your home, at The Snug, or via video calls.
A monthly call, to discuss any questions or subjects about your pregnancy, appointments, labour, birth or the postnatal period, as they arise or evolve.
Email and message support (especially during the last days/weeks of your pregnancy) is included.

CALENDULA PACKAGE=£400

POSTNATAL DOULA SERVICES (tab on home page)

Emergency Birth Support

If you are in an emergency situation, need urgent support or have no birth partner on the day, I may be able to help. Please do contact me if you are in need.

VIRTUAL SERVICES

Please ask for an information about what VIRTUAL support you would like, a combination of in person and video calls can be arranged.

*PLEASE NOTE, I BELIEVE EVERY PARENT SHOULD HAVE THE CHOICE OF DOULA SUPPORT AND HYPNOBIRTHING. PLEASE CONTACT ME TO DISCUSS YOUR NEEDS IF FINANCES OR CIRCUMSTANCES ARE DIFFICULT OR ON INCOME SUPPORT.

DOULA UK HAVE AN ACCESS FUND AND 'DOULAS WITHOUT BORDERS' OFFER SUPPORT.

INSTALLMENT PAYMENTS ARE ACCEPTED. I WILL ALSO CONSIDER SKILL/SERVICE SWAPS TOWARDS PAYMENT