Pregnancy, Birth & Postnatal Doula Support Nottingham

Having a doula support you through pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period can make the world of difference to how you feel whatever path your birth takes. I offer continuity of care, reassurance, emotional support throughout and physical support to you during birth.

There are so many benefits to having doula. We work to provide continuous support and encouragement during labor and delivery and can help you have a better birthing experience. We can also support you postnatally helping you to feel nurtured, rested and cared for and empower you to feel confident in your role as a mother or parent. You can read more about the evidence on doula support here.

As certified independent doula, I provide birth and postnatal support across Nottingham which includes support during pregnancy, birth attendance and postnatal support. I also offer standalone postnatal only support if you are looking for postnatal support without birth attendance.

I live in Mapperley, Nottingham which means I am conveniently located to support families throughout Nottingham choosing to birth at home, NUH (Queens & City) and Kingsmill, (Sherwood Trust).

I have first hand experience of supporting births at home, in hospital and supporting in theatre for gentle caesarean births. I will support you wherever you choose to birth.

My Role as a Doula

Antenatal Birth Preparation

Preparing for birth can be really empowering experience and I am a total believer that knowledge is power. I will help to prepare and plan for the birth you want during our antenatal sessions. These sessions are a really important part of doula support as it allows me to get to know you as a family so I can best support you. We will work through any fears you may have and I can talk you through any birth topics that you would like to cover. You have the option to add on my 5* rated hypnobirthing course at a discount should you wish to add more birth preparation. I will also help you make a birth plan and sign post you to any evidence based resources to help you make the right decisions for you and your family.

In Person Birth Support

My role as a doula is to offer both emotional and physical support throughout pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period. I am there to offer emotional support with guidance, reassurance and care and will be there for you whenever you need me from the moment you book with me. I love to research and will always be on hand to help research anything you need, studies, evidence -anything that will support any decision you need to make.

I will never judge your choices and will only support you to make informed decisions by providing evidence based information and guidance to help plan for your birth.

I will go on call 10 days ahead of your estimated due date (or earlier if you need me to) and I will remain on call for you until your baby arrives. I am available 24/7 to join you at your place of birth when it's time to meet your baby.

I am trained in aromatherapy and able to offer physical support during labour with the use of massage, aromatherapy and acupressure to help with pain relief as well rebozo and biomechanical movements to support optimal position during pregnancy and encourage and support labour. I can help with positioning, snacks, getting the birth pool ready, setting up your birth environment, - anything that will support you to feel relaxed and calm and support your birth.

I will advocate for your wishes and choices without judgement and do my very best to make sure your birth choices are protected and supported. Advocacy is a big part of my role and I am very comfortable advocating and being your voice when you need me to or supporting you to advocate for yourself if you want me to.

I love to support birth partners (if you have one) and I will support them to support you; whether that’s teaching them massage techniques or helping them understand the role of the partner and what they can do to support you during labour and birth. My role is never to take over from your partner, they know you the most and I will support them in their role to feel a confident birth partner for you.

Postnatal Support

The first few weeks post birth can sometimes feel overwhelming as you navigate your new role as a mother/parent, whether it is your first, second or third baby. My role as a postnatal doula is to provide non-judgmental practical and emotional support to you and your family and ease this transition as you adjust to life with your new baby.

I believe everyone deserves to feel supported, nourished and cared for during those first few months and as a postnatal doula I can offer support:

  • Offering a non-judgmental listening ear- you can tell me anything and I will never judge you!

  • Debriefing and talking through your birth if you want to

  • Supporting you to feel confident in your role as a mother/parent

  • Basic feeding support (breast/chest and bottle feeding)

  • Preparing light meals/lunches for you or snacks for other children

  • Light house work so you can focus on you and your baby

  • Caring for your baby whilst you nap, have a bath or play with your other children if you would like me to

  • Playing with your older children whilst you bond with your baby

  • Running errands/picking up light shopping

  • Helping you with any chores that might make your day run more smoothly

  • Helping you to navigate those first few weeks with any questions and resources.

My bespoke birth package includes one postnatal visit with the option to add on more postnatal visits should you feel like you would like more support.

Birth and Postnatal Support Package

£1,300

My birth support package is bespoke to you and you have the option to add additional antenatal or postnatal sessions for any extra support you may need.

My birth and postnatal package includes:

  • 2 x 2 hour antenatal sessions to help prepare and plan your birth and talk through birth topics of your choice

  • Support in writing your birth plan and preferences

  • Phone, text and email support throughout your pregnancy- I am there for all the questions you may have!

  • On call for your birth ten days ahead of your estimated due date

  • In person birth support wherever you plan to give birth

  • Help planning for the postpartum period

  • 1 x 2 hour post birth visit including birth debrief/reflection session (I promise cake and some good food and a listening ear!)

  • Phone, text and email support throughout your postnatal period for up to 6 weeks post birth

  • Access to lots of resources and workshops!

  • Free Birth Pool & TENS hire, aromatherapy diffuser, oils and birth combs- all available for your birth!

  • Plus a FREE online digital Hypnobirthing Pack if you would like to learn about hypnobirthing

  • Option to add Barefaced Birth 6 hour in person private hypnobirthing course taught by me for £335 (RRP £400). Total birth and postnatal fee of £1635 including discount .

  • Option to add more additional postnatal or antenatal sessions!

  • The most amazing person! I cannot express enough how incredible Kerry was as my doula. I am so grateful for the incredible support she provided during my challenging birth experience. I had initially planned for a water birth at home, but after being induced, 4 days of hospital issues, intense contractions I then needed an emergency C-section, she was there every step of the way for . Her calm presence, encouragement, and guidance helped me stay focused and empowered, even when things didn’t go as planned. Her support during pregnancy and labour was beyond anything I could have imagined. She truly made a difficult and emotional experience much more manageable, and I’m so thankful for all her help in bringing my baby girl into the world.🙏🫶❤️

    Andreea

  • “I can’t recommend Kerry’s services as a doula enough! I didn’t realise it before that she was such an important part to my birthing team, she was a huge support to me during labour but also to my husband, helping us both navigate the system but also helping my husband to be the best support. Kerry was so kind, she encouraged me when I needed it and also asked a consultant to leave the room, when I needed it! Hehe. If you’re considering having a doula, I’d say do it!! It was the best decision we made, even though the birth wasn’t exactly as I’d hoped, with Kerry’s support, I was really confident with the decisions I made in the moment. Thank you!”

    Hannah

  • Thanks sooo much for everything. I definitely wouldn’t have got through any of it without you being there. You really did make a difference in how we were feeling through the whole process and allowed for Ash to really help with emotional support I needed at the time. Also your cake has been a godsend! It’s sooo lovely and I’m still making my way through it. It gave me a 3am energy hit this morning when I was struggling”.

    Zarah

  • "Kerry we just want to say thank you so much for being by our side today. Honestly your support was amazing and gave us the confidence that things were going to be Okay. Just thanks again!"

    Ash

  • I was looking for a doula specifically for postnatal support and came across Kerry - it ended up being the best decision working with her! During a period that can be completely overwhelming, she was there to help, both practically (making meals, helping set things up) and emotionally. If you are considering a doula, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend her, she made the world of difference to me and my partner.

    Cat

INFORMED + HONEST + EMPOWERING BIRTH SUPPORT

Birth changed me forever, it led me onto this beautiful path of supporting others in their journey through pregnancy, birth and beyond.

My passion is to support you no matter where you are on your journey; whether that is to help with antenatal education, support in birth as a doula or helping you to heal after a traumatic birth.

I believe every pregnant woman and birthing person deserves to have informed antenatal education, continuity of care and support to have the birth you want and deserve which is the foundation of all my services.

Shared Care Support

Shared Care Doula Support Nottingham
Barefaced Birth Nottingham Birth Support

I also work with the lovely Amy over at twelvemoons to offer shared care doula support. We have been working together now for a few years supporting clients together. We are borth birth nerds, both love supporting births and both love working together!

Shared care support means you get the two doulas with two sets of experience, knowledge and care to support you throughout.

THE BENEFITS OF DOULA SUPPORT

There is evidence to support having a doula can help to support a:

  • A 25% decrease in the risk of Cesarean; the largest effect was seen with a doula (39% decrease)*

  • An 8% increase in the likelihood of a spontaneous vaginal birth; the largest effect was seen with a doula (15% increase)*

  • A 10% decrease in the use of any medications for pain relief; the type of person providing continuous support did not make a difference

  • Shorter labors by 41 minutes on average; there is no data on if the type of person providing continuous support makes a difference

  • A 38% decrease in the baby’s risk of a low five-minute Apgar score; there is no data on if the type of person providing continuous support makes a difference

  • A 31% decrease in the risk of being dissatisfied with the birth experience; this risk was reduced with continuous support provided by a doula or someone in their social network (family or friend), but not hospital staff.

Evidence based birth

The Effect of Doulas on Maternal and Birth Outcomes: A Scoping Review

Impact of Doulas on Healthy Birth Outcomes

Evidence in support of doulas- Doula UK

the original birth connection
The Birth Uprising Logo
optimal birth
Three Step Rewind
Aromatherapy for birth