Doula Birth Support in Nottingham
Hi I am Kerry-
I am a birth and postnatal doula, hypnobirthing teacher and a trauma practitioner based in Nottingham.
My role as a doula is to help prepare you for the birth you want. I will advocate for your wishes and choices without judgement and do my very best to make sure your voice is heard and your birth wishes are supported. I will protect your space for birthing in to enable you to feel safe to birth your baby and support you in those moments post birth. Wherever you choose to birth I will be there to help prepare you and support you offering practical antenatal information, emotional support throughout and physical birth support during labour.
My birth support packages are bespoke to you and your needs and I will work with you to provide you with individualised care and support.
I live in Mapperley, Nottingham which means I am conveniently located to able to support couples throughout Nottingham choosing to birth at home, NUH (Queens & City) and Kingsmills
You can find out more about me, my experience and qualifications here.
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“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! ”
— Google Review
How I Support You as a Doula
Support During Pregnancy
I will listen to you and work through what you would like for birth and fears you or your partner may have
Provide practical evidence based information to support your birth choices
Help you to plan for the birth you want and plan for changes if your birth takes a different path
Provide support to your birth partner (if you have one) and your family
Provide antenatal education and understand the physiological birth process
Work with you to plan ahead for the fourth trimester
Support During Labour & Birth
I will support you from the moment your labour starts and join you at your place of birth
Set up your birth environment including birth pool (if you are using one), protect and maintain your birthing space
Provide physical support and comfort to you through aromatherapy, acupressure, massage and rebozo/biomechanics movements
Protect your birthing wishes and advocate for you to ensure your birth plan is protected and supported
I'll be there every step of the way supporting you however you need me to
Support Post Birth
Provide a safe space to debrief and talk through your birth
Breastfeeding/ feeding support
Prepare an evening meal, lunch or snacks
Help with practical tasks to help make your day run smoothly
Picking up shopping, running errands
Light house work
Caring for baby whilst you take a rest, nap or bath
Anything that will support you to rest, nuture and heal and bond as a family
Full Doula Package
Fee £1,250
A free initial 30 minute consultation to get to know me, ask questions and discuss what support you would like
2 X antenatal sessions
Phone and text support throughout your pregnancy
On call 24/7 10 days ahead of your estimated due date until your baby is born
Exclusive use of a TENS machine should you wish to use one
Exclusive use of Birth Pool plus pregnancy ball at no extra cost to you (a liner kit will need to be purchased separately) if you would like to use one for labour or birth
Access to my client members area full of resources, relaxation tracks and workshops
2 x Postnatal visits
Phone and text support throughout your postnatal period for up to 6 weeks post birth
Option to add hypnobirthing course at a discount.
The Bespoke Doula Package
It is important to me that you get the birth support package that is right for you. I will work with you to create a birth support package based on the level of support you require. If you feel that you would like more or less antenatal sessions, postnatal support or any kind of additional support I can offer we can work together to put a bespoke birth support package based on the level of support you would like.
Shared Care Support
I am lucky to work with some wonderful doulas in Nottingham and if you feel like you would benefit from the support of two experienced doulas looking after you then shared care might be for you!
FAQs
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The best way for me to describe a doula is someone provides emotional, physical and informative support throughout pregnancy, birth and postnatal period.
Every doula will provide a different supportive role to each family they work with based on the individual family and support they would like.
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A doula's service/support will start from the moment you book their services, which means you will get the benefit from their support if you book them earlier in pregnancy. It also ensures they're available for when you're due.
Most people start to look for a doula early in their second trimester to give them time to find the right person for them.
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A doula is a non-medical person who's primary role is to care for you emotionally, physically. We can support you to feel empowered and informed.
My role is to work alongside a midwife to support you and my focus is on you and your needs alone.
A midwife is a medical professional whose role is to provide medical care to you and your baby.
A midwife medical task includes vaginal exams, suturing, blood pressure checks, monitoring of you & your babies heart rate as well as evaluating the health of you and baby, among other things.
A midwife has had special training to attend births in a medical capacity and can offer a level of emotional support.
A doula does not perform medical tasks or make decisions for you. We can support you emotionally, offer physical support with movement, massage, aromatherapy.
We provide evidence based information to help you make your own decision. We are your voice and will advocate for your wishes.
We hold space to ensure that you feel safe and supported and aid in helping you to relax.
We offer support to your partner and support our wishes and choices without judgement.
We offer a high continuity of care throughout and are there to do any non-medical tasks to support you not matter what ( supporting you in positions, running baths, offering comfort, filling pools among many other things).
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This will depend on the doula you are working with.
I support all kinds of birth including home, hospital, midwife led, assisted, caesarean.
No matter what birth you are planning or what path your birth takes I support you no matter what.
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Your partner knows you most out of anyone and our role is not to take over from the birth partner if you have one.
We are there as a part of your birth team to support you and work together!
We will support your partner in their role as your partner to support you, helping them to feel confident as well as supported
The Benefits of Doula Support
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 empowered you to feel confident in your role as a mother or parent.
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.
Studies and Research on Doulas
The Effect of Doulas on Maternal and Birth Outcomes: A Scoping Review
Birth Enquiry
For birth enquires, questions & availability, you can book a consultation on the link below or please use the contact form below and to arrange a chat either in person if you are local or a Zoom/Microsoft Teams call.
