Birth Preparation & Hypnobirthing
My support services start right from the beginning, offering you guidance and reassurance as you and your partner prepare for the birth of your baby. I provide 1:1 Hypnobirthing sessions specially designed to meet your unique learning needs within your own home or via zoom at a time to suit you tailored to your circumstances. Postnatal/Breastfeeding preparation is included also but can be done stand alone too to help you get off to a positive start on your journey into parenthood.
I believe that valuing your birth experiences, educating yourself and gaining good evidence based information to enable you to make informed choices alongside having a good support network really is key to you gaining positive outcomes.
Working with women/birthing people who are highly anxious and/or have experienced previous birth trauma is something I am particularly interested in to support you to prepare for a calm and confident birth this time around.
My services are designed to offer something for different budgets and provide you support through your pregnancy, your birth and into motherhood, a constant companion for you every step of the way..
Why not book a free antenatal consultation with me to discuss how I could support you best and ask all of your questions
Birth Doula
A question I am asked a lot when people ask what I do for a living is 'What is a Doula?' unfortunately not many people in my area - Lincolnshire - have ever heard the word 'Doula' or know what one is or does...….
"doula[duːlə]: a woman experienced in childbirth who provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to the mother before, during and just after childbirth" (Klaus, Kennell and Klaus, Mothering the Mother)
"Doulas provide continuous support for the whole family through pregnancy, birth and the early days of parenthood. Filling a role that new mothers and families have always needed, we are there to listen, give confidence and not judge. Offering flexible, practical and emotional support we work in women’s own homes as well as in hospitals throughout the UK.
Doulas are usually experienced women who have completed some basic training. We do not offer clinical skills and are not medically trained. (Doula.org.uk)"
A Doula does not advise or tell you what you should do, nor does she advocate or speak on your behalf.
A Doula will inform you of all the information available, she will listen, she will support you in your own decisions and empower you to make them and try stick to them.
She wants you to have the experience YOU want and to do what feels right for YOU and your family and to help it be a positive experience for YOU.
Its YOUR Birth, YOUR baby, YOUR body, YOUR choice, YOUR way.
I feel very privileged to be asked to work with a family and support them in this huge life event.
Why should I hire a Doula?....
You might be thinking.....but why would I need a Doula - won't I get all this from my midwife/health visitor? Sadly, the reality isn't always true. The maternity system in the UK is under huge pressures with staffing, time and other demands and having continuity of care can be rare. Often appointments are rushed and there is little time to fully explain all the risks vs the benefits which can leave you feeling that you have more questions, are not fully listened to or informed and are always having to repeat yourself to multiple people.
Current maternity care has also become very 'medicalised' with almost a 50% caesarean rate. Women too often feel coerced into things they may not have wanted or were 'told to' do this or 'not allowed' to do that. Its so important that women understand their rights and that they have total autonomy over themselves and what happens to them.
While as a Doula I am in no way there to replace the midwives and have full respect for their role in the birth - I believe we need to work together as a team to fully support you. I can provide that constant support and companionship throughout your whole journey that sadly in reality a midwife rarely can. I'm with you every step of the way, I only work with one family at a time and give you my all. I will guide you in your decision making, advocate for you with the Drs/midwives when needed and help you to consent to the care you are being given.
Ensuring you always feel safe, supported and fully informed throughout.
Not only for you but for your birth partner too. I do not replace their role either and we work as a team to care for you.
I want to help empower them to be the best birth partner for you and be there to guide at times they feel unsure or worried themselves.
It has been proven that women cared for during labour by a birth doula, compared to those receiving usual care were:
26% less likely to give birth by caesarean section
41% less likely to give birth with a vacuum extractor or forceps
28% less likely to use any analgesia or anaesthesia
33% less likely to be dissatisfied or negatively rate their birth experience
(Findings of Hodnett’s et al meta-analysis of 15 trials from N. America, Europe, and Africa). There is more research available on the Doula UK website.
Please visit www.doula.org.uk or www.thedouladirectory.com to find out so much more about Doula's and what we do or contact me with any questions. I have also written a blog about Doulas.
The most important thing is that you find the right Doula for you.
Let's book a call to see if we click!
Postnatal
Doula
So the baby is here! You planned and prepared for your birth but now what....?
As your postnatal Doula I am there to offer you and your family emotional, practical and informational support as you transition into this phase of parenthood or expanding your family.
After the birth of your baby and during your recovery period your hormones are fluctuating and sleep deprivation may be taking its toll, life can become overwhelming, nothing is like it was before. You are trying to establish feeding, getting to know your new baby as well as keeping the house in some sort of order and looking after yourself.
A lot of women (& partners) can struggle to adjust to this new life and feel like they are failing because the house is a mess, they haven't cooked a fresh meal for a week and feel that they have had no time to connect as a couple like they once did, or spent quality time with their older child(ren). This is all completely NORMAL and I think we need to remember that we are human and cannot do it all. You have been through a life changing event, you have birthed a human into this world!
So be kind to yourself, allow your body the time it deserves to heal and seek the support you need - it is in no way a sign of weakness. There is no such thing as the 'perfect parent'. You are in what we call the 'fourth trimester' - a hugely transitional period after birth where your baby is adjusting to life outside the womb and you are evolving into family life.
As an emotional health coach and doula I can listen to your worries and help protect your mental health, talking through any anxieties and working together, you are not alone in this. I can give you up to date information and guidelines on lots of parenting styles so you can decide how you want to approach things, I never tell you what you should do.
I support you in your decisions on what feels right for you and your baby - not what your family or friends did or are telling you to do. We all too often loose our 'instincts' and I really encourage new mothers to listen to what their gut is telling them to do and help you feel confident and empowered to to do that away from conflicting external influences.
My role varies day to day and from client to client depending on what your needs and circumstances are but some of the things I can help with are.....
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All parenting tasks/baby cares
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Support encourage and give tips to establish feeding (If you are breastfeeding, as a trained breastfeeding peer supporter)
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Helping Dads/partners to get involved and show them ways he can bond with their baby too and how to support/look after the mother
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Odd light household tasks such as sorting laundry, emptying the dishwasher, taking the baby for a walk while mum rests for an hour.
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Involving older children in helping mummy with new baby or occupying them while you feed.
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Making a light lunch for us all, or help with prepping your evening meal
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Holding space and listening to you over a cuppa and a slice of homemade cake I have made you and offering emotional support (this is my favourite job!).
The right support in the early days is vital for parents mental health and to help you have a positive postnatal experience and research shows that women/families who have had the support of a postnatal doula are less likely to experience postnatal depression and are more likely to fully establish breastfeeding.
If there is ever something I cant help you with I do have strong links with other local services which I can signpost/refer you on to also, I understand my limitations and professional boundaries but always know who we can turn to for additional support when it is needed.
I can do as many hours/visits as you want me to within this fourth trimester (first 12 weeks) until we feel you are coping absolutely fine without me at home. I do have the postnatal package on the website but I do offer an hourly rate if it is just a few hours you are looking for or have a limited budget - do get in touch. Individual custom packages can also be made to suit your requirements.
Let's have a chat and see if you connect with me and feel I am the right person to support you on this magical journey