Abby Hopewell (they/she)

About Me

Hi and welcome!

**Please note that I am now fully booked for birth support in 2022 and am no longer looking to take on any new birth clients. I still have capacity for Pregnancy and/or Postnatal only. Please see my website for more details.**

If you’ve found your way here, I expect you are expecting, so congratulations!

I’m Abby (they/she), a Recognised Birth Doula through Doula UK.

I offer Pregnancy, Birth and Postnatal Doula support in and around South Yorkshire. I’m also a Photographer.

As a hand to hold, a shoulder to cry on and someone to truly listen to you, I can be the safe space you need when sometimes it feels like everyone is telling you what to do. When was the last time you felt listened to? It can be a powerful experience.

As your Doula, I’m there to support you in whatever way you feel is best; my care is tailored to you and your needs whether that’s through your pregnancy journey, the birth or postnatally.

I can signpost you to evidence based research without telling you what you “should” do; this is your story, not mine. My aim is not to empower you; you are already powerful. My aim is to help you see that for yourself and to remind you if you have a wobble.

I offer Birth and Postnatal packages as well as Babywearing Support which can also be found under the Noah’s Arc Sling Library banner.

Birth Doula’ing

As your birth Doula, I’m at the end of the phone, usually over WhatsApp for any wobbles, questions or just general chat that you need. I’ll be there to meet with you at least twice antenatally (in addition to the initial free consultation) to get to know you and to establish what you need from me. These sessions are specifically about antenatal education and exploring your birth preferences so that we’re on the same page and I know what you need.

Throughout your pregnancy, I am there to signpost you to resources so that you can make an informed decision about your birth and your care. I’m also there for more hands on, physical support during your birth – if that’s what you want!

The service you get is entirely tailored to your needs. I’m there to serve you and your family (if applicable), to ensure you feel listened to and supported in your choices.

I support your birth whether it’s your first or your last, whether it’s at home or in hospital, whether it’s in the pool or an elective caesarean; I support you. I am happy to be your chosen birth partner to go into hospital for whatever reason or I can stay in your home to care for any older children (as a back-up) should that be needed. I used to be a childminder caring for children in the early years age group.

For my birth clients, I also have a birth pool which can be hired free of charge for a homebirth should you wish to use it.

Postnatal Doula’ing

We often spend so much time planning our birth that we forget about what happens after – that moment when you arrive home with your new addition(s) and you look around and think “What do we do now?”

​The transition from “bump” to baby is experienced differently from person to person and between families but I will be there to ease the process throughout this ‘fourth trimester’. It can be helpful to think of the first few months of your little ones life as an additional trimester of pregnancy; they have so much growing to do and that’s not just physically but mentally, too. You have someone brand new to get to know and it can take time to find your feet, especially while you’re recovering from pregnancy and birth.

Postnatally, I can help with breastfeeding and signpost you if it’s not something I’m able to help with. I can come round to help with light housework, make you a cuppa, entertain the toddler or cuddle the baby (or babies!) if that’s what you need. I can be a reassuring presence if you feel overwhelmed, need to chat or need some other support.

I also offer a Closing the Bones massage, too, which is really nurturing and relaxing.

Photography

You can choose photography as a standalone service or as an addition to the Doula support. I absolutely love telling the story of your pregnancy, birth and the time afterwards with your new baby/babies.

Training, certificates and extra bits & bobs

Access Fund Doula for birth support through Doula UK
Biomechanics for Birth with Optimal Birth (for pregnancy and labour)
Birth pool only available for birth clients
Born to Carry; Carrying Advocate and Peer Supporter
Breastfeeding Culture Safety with Ruth Dennison
Breastfeeding Support Training Foundation Module with ABM
Closing the Bones (a traditional postnatal massage to aid recovery)
Cultural Competency with Mars Lord and Nicola Mahdiyyah Goodall
DBS Check
Developing Doula’s
L’ecole a Porter; Babywearing Consultant
LGBTQIA+ Competency in Maternity with The Queer Birth Club
Photography
Postnatal Doula
Pregnancy Doula
Recognised Birth Doula with Doula UK
Slingababy; Babywearing Consultant
Sophie Messager – Why Postnatal Recovery Matters course
3 Step Rewind Method; for birth related trauma

Experience including

Birth Before Arrival (BBA)
Home birth
Home birth after caesarean (HBAC)
Hospital birth
Caesarean birth
Induction
IUI
IVF
Miscarriage
Pregnancy after loss
Pool birth
Premature birth
Supporting parents when Social Services are involved
Vaginal birth after caesarean (VBAC)

Covid-19 specific considerations
I have supported families, attended their births and been there for hands on support postnatally throughout the pandemic.

I’m a proud mum of four little people including twins.

If you’d like a chat, just get in touch and we’ll see if we click.

You can check my availability here.

Abby <3