PREGNANCY, BIRTH AND POSTPARTUM DOULA SUPPORT

Birth 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 birth path your birth takes. We offer continuity of care, reassurance, emotional support throughout and physical support to you during birth. We work independently for you and will be guided by you fully. We will never judge you and we care about what you want!

There are so many amazing benefits to having a doula, you can read more below.

As certified doula, I provide birth and postnatal support across Nottingham which includes support during pregnancy, birth attendance and postnatal support. I also offer standalone postnatal support if you are looking for support in the postnatal period after your baby is born.

I live in Mapperley, Nottingham which means I am conveniently located to support families throughout Nottingham choosing to birth at your home, NUH (Queens & City) and Kingsmill, (Sherwood Trust). I offer a full birth and postnatal birth support which includes antenatal sessions, birth attendance, postnatal support and continuity of care throughout.

I am passionate about supporting women and birthing people to give birth the way they choose to. Birth is incredible and I love to support all kinds of birth whether you choose a hospital birth, home birth, caesarean birth, VBAC, first time birth and subsequent births!

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 am also there to offer emotional support with guidance, reassurance and care and will be there for you whenever you need me.

I go on call 10 days ahead of your estimated due date (or earlier if you need me to) and will remain on call for you until your baby arrives. I am available 24/7 to join you wherever you plan to give birth.

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 and rights are supported. 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 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.

"Whenever and wherever you intend to give birth, your experience will impact your emotions, your mind, your body and your spirit for the rest of your life."

Ina May Gaskin

Birth and Postnatal Support Package

£1,250

My birth support package is bespoke to you and you have the option to add or reduce the number of antenatal/postnatal sessions or add 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
Support in writing your birth plan and preferences

Phone, text and email support throughout your pregnancy
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!)
Phone, text and email support throughout your postnatal period for up to 6 weeks post birth
Access to lots of resources and workshops!
Birth Pool, TENS machine, aromatherapy and birth combs all available for your birth!
Plus free Access to The Birth Uprising online digital Hypnobirthing Pack of you would like to include online hypnobirthing
Option to add Barefaced Birth hypnobirthing couse taught by me at a discount - group hypnobirthing £200 (RRP £265) or add a private course for £335 (RRP £400)
Option to add additional postnatal or antenatal sessions!

Availability

If you think I am the right doula for you (I believe there is the right doula out there for everyone!) please get in contact to check my availability for your dates and arrange a free consultation/chat.

Check Availability

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

Shared Care Support

Barefaced Birth Nottingham Birth Support

If you would like the expertise and security of two doulas.... shared care support might be the right option for you! Amy from twelvemoons, and I work together to provide two sets of doula skills, knowledge and support to our lovely families.

There are some lovely benefits of shared care support:

If your birth is on the longer side we can swap out once we reach our time limit (usually around 24 hours.) This means you are more guaranteed to have a doula with you through the duration of your active labour, birth and initial bonding than if you had a solo doula.
If one of us has an unexpected illness or family situation, the other one can be available to attend your birth.
If you don't have a birth partner and you might like a birth team of two!
You have two sets of skills, hands and brains to support you, research for you and make sure you are feeling informed and calm about birth. We can also support each other, and a happy doula is a good doula!
We both love supporting families, if you would like to find out more about shared care support please get in contact to arrange a chat with us!

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 empower 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.