I'm a birth doula, antenatal educator and pregnancy coach based near Welwyn Garden City in Hertfordshire. I've been working with pregnant parents since 2014, helping them understand pregnancy and birth, work out what matters to them and feel properly prepared for what might happen.
Movement and the way our bodies work during pregnancy and birth have always been particularly important in my work. It's why, alongside my antenatal education training, I've trained in pregnancy yoga, pre and postnatal exercise and biomechanics for birth. I'm also a hypnobirthing teacher, postnatal doula, babywearing consultant and baby development specialist.
So although being a birth doula is the newest part of my work, pregnancy and birth certainly aren't.
How I work as a birth doula
What I really love is getting to know the people I work with properly. I want to know what you're looking forward to, what you're worried about, what matters to you and what you absolutely don't want.
I want you to feel like you can tell me what you're actually thinking – including the question you think sounds silly, the thing somebody said at an appointment that's been going round your head ever since, or that you've completely changed your mind about something we'd previously discussed.
You don't need to have everything worked out before we talk about it.
By the time you go into labour, I'll know you. I'll know the conversations we've had, the decisions you've made and the things you're still unsure about. I'll know your birth partner too, and how the two of you work together.
That familiarity matters when you're giving birth. You can concentrate on what your body is doing without having to explain yourself to me. I can pay attention to what's happening around you, notice what you might need and adapt as things change.
Sometimes that might mean helping you move or find a position that feels better, massage or counterpressure, making the room work better for you, or helping you make sense of what's happening. Sometimes it means making sure there's a drink within reach or noticing that your birth partner could do with some food and ten minutes out of the room. And sometimes you're completely in your zone and the best thing I can do is leave you to get on with it.
Supporting your birth partner too
Your birth partner is a really important part of this too. I'm not there to replace them. They know you in ways I never will, while I bring years of experience of pregnancy and birth. I want them to feel more confident because I'm there, not less involved.
We'll prepare together so that they understand what labour can look like and have practical ways to support you. During labour I can help when they're not sure what to try next, help them understand what's happening, and make it possible for them to take a break without worrying about leaving you unsupported.
Your birth doesn't need to look a particular way
I don't have a particular version of birth that I need you to have.
You might be planning a home birth, birth centre birth or hospital birth. You might want to avoid pain relief or know that you want an epidural. You might be planning a spontaneous birth, an induction or a caesarean. And you are completely allowed to change your mind.
It's your birth. My job is to know you well enough to support you through the one you actually have.
Working with me
I'm based near Welwyn Garden City and provide birth doula support across Hertfordshire and into parts of North London, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Essex.
Alongside my birth doula work, I also provide antenatal classes, pregnancy yoga and babywearing consultations through CubCare.
If you're looking for an experienced birth doula in Hertfordshire who combines birth support with more than a decade of antenatal education and pregnancy work, get in touch and we can arrange a chat.
