It can be really confusing and overwhelming for parents to understand the choices they have around birth.  Many feel that their birth experience is in the hands of medical professionals and may be beyond their control.

I can support you regardless of the type of birth you are hoping to achieve, helping you to pick your way through the forest of advice, statistics and clinical guidelines, so that you understand what your options are, what they mean in your individual case, and empowering you to work with your caregivers to find the right path for you and your family.

Whether you are planning a caesarean birth, a hospital vaginal birth or a home birth, or any other variation, I can offer you the time and space to prepare to meet your baby.  We can work together to build the resilience you need to make it an empowering experience for all concerned.

I offer personalised, private sessions for pregnant people and their chosen birth partners, in your own home.  Maybe you just need a couple of hours to think about the process of birth and which self-care and coping measures might work for you, or maybe you need a much longer course with several sessions covering birth preparation, caring for your newborn baby, preparation for feeding and exploration of your transition to parenthood.  We can organise as many sessions as you need and we will have the flexibility to adapt the course as we go.  More sessions can be added by arrangement as the need arises.  Maybe you need to have a chat to unpick a complex meeting with your consultant, or maybe your partner is worried and needs to have a session on the role of the birth partner.  As your doula, I will offer you whatever emotional and practical support you need on your parenting journey.

For some, becoming a parent can be a time of confusion and overwhelm.  Many parents feel isolated and struggle to cope with the relentlessness of caring for a new baby, often alone, for large parts of the day.  Doulas offer a service that is as old as humanity, and just as vital in these modern times as it has ever been.

We will work together in a fluid and adaptable way, drawing from my various services and skills sets to match your changing needs.  I may work with just the mother, the mother and baby dyad, the co-parent or other caregivers, or the whole family.

Whether it’s breastfeeding support, baby carrying guidance and help with the practicalities of looking after a newborn, relaxation and mindfulness techniques, or an attentive, non-judgemental ear as you process your birth story, I can help ease your transition to your new normal and support your postnatal recovery.

As well as the usual and expected challenges faced by all new parents, I work with some families who feel traumatised by the events surrounding the birth of their babies.  Some parents find it hard to set aside those scary feelings of being out of control, or fear for their own or their loved one’s safety, that can accompany some birth journeys.  Symptoms of trauma can hold parents back from bonding with their baby and fully embracing their new role.

I trained with Alexandra Heath, of Traumatic Birth Recovery to become an accredited 3 Step Rewind practitioner.  Using safe, gentle hypnotherapy techniques, I can work with you to help lift the symptoms that can remain following a traumatic experience in the perinatal period.

Please click below for more details of how and why the 3 Step Rewind programme works, or contact me to discuss your case and see if I might be able to help you feel better.