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 you with the care, respect and support you deserve. Although our role is not to offer you advice, we offer gentle guidance based on evidence, facts and your own instinct to help you make the right decisions for your family. I am passionate about making sure you feel fully informed as we know that women and birthing people make better decisions when they have all the information feeling in control and listened to.
I am a believer that the evidence speaks for itself, you can read more about the evidence on doula support here.
As a certified independent doula, I provide birth and postnatal support across Nottingham which includes support during pregnancy, birth attendance and postnatal support. If you are looking for support without birth attendance I also offer postnatal only support.
I 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 to write 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 support you to advocate for yourself.
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 to help ease this transition as you adjust to life with your new baby.
My birth and postnatal packages include one postnatal visit after the birth (option to add more). During this visit I will bring you some nourishing food, we will debrief/talk about your birth. I can offer breast/chest/bottle feeding support and talk through any worries you may have or help with any tasks around the house to help you rest and recover.
I also offer virtual support for the first 6 weeks post birth for any questions or worries you may have so that you know you always have someone there in the background ready to support.
Doula Packages
The Hypnobirthing & Antenatal Package
£1,650
This full package includes pregnancy and postnatal support, birth attendance as well as my full hypnobirthing/antenatal birth preparation course in person course.
10 hours of antenatal sessions to teach you my full hypnobirthing/antenatal course as well as birth planning sessions.
24 hours on call support ten days ahead of your estimated due date.
Phone, text and email support throughout your pregnancy- I am here for all the question!
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 my resource area, workshops and books.
Free Birth Pool & TENS hire from 37 weeks subject to availability
Access to my doula kit including my aromatherapy diffuser kit, birth combs, pregnancy ball, sky projector, lights etc.
Option to add on more postnatal support (you can read more here about postnatal support)
Birth & Postnatal Support Package
£1,350
This package includes pregnancy and postnatal support, birth attendance and shorter birth preparation sessions.
2 x 2 hour antenatal sessions to help prepare and plan your birth
24 hours on call support ten days ahead of your estimated due date.
Phone, text and email support throughout your pregnancy- I am there for all the questions you may have!
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
Free Birth Pool & TENS hire, aromatherapy diffuser, oils and birth combs- all available for your birth!
Access to my resource area, workshops and books.
Free Birth Pool & TENS hire from 37 weeks subject to availability
Access to my doula kit including my aromatherapy diffuser kit, birth combs, pregnancy ball, sky projector, lights etc.
Option to add on more postnatal support (you can read more here about postnatal support)
Availability
If you would like to check to see if I am available for your birth, ask questions and arrange a call with me, please use the form below to send me an email and include you estimated due date, where you are based and where you are planning on giving birth.
Birth Enquiry
For birth enquires, questions & availability, please use the contact form below:
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
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.
The Effect of Doulas on Maternal and Birth Outcomes: A Scoping Review
