I live in Ealing with my 3 children, two sons born in 1994 and 1995 and a daughter in 1998. My first son was born by elective caesarean followed by a week in special care, a VBAC followed with my second son and my daughter was born after a straightforward natural labour and within minutes of arrival at hospital ! Three very different but nevertheless positive experiences. During my time spent at home raising my children I have been involved in various community based activities including the NCT as a postnatal supporter and area rep, local church family activities and hospital ward help. I have also developed a great passion for cooking and set up a small home based catering business in 2001 to cook and supply home made food to a wide variety of local people including new parents. My inspiration to become a doula gradually evolved as I became more aware of the role and importance of a doula. More recently I have had the great privilege and joy of being with my sisters as a birth companion during the births of my 4 nieces and nephews, truly moving experiences which further motivated me to learn more about the benefits of a doula. I would love to feel that as a doula I could make a difference, however small, to the life of a new mother. I found supportive help in the immediate postnatal period invaluable and believe that those early weeks are vitally important , the memories of which you carry throughout life. As a postnatal doula my services would be flexible and would vary according to your individual needs. I would offer both practical and emotional support and work towards creating a happy and relaxed atmosphere that would hopefully make it easier for you to bond with your new baby at this special time. By considering the whole family and relieving some of the practical pressures, confidence would quickly be gained in your new role and responsibility as parents. I am convinced that lots of rest and good nutrition are crucial in the early weeks and would ensure that you get these in abundance. In 2006 I completed an intensive paramandoula course with the renowned French obstetrician Dr. Michel Odent and Liliana Lammers. Since then I have achieved a Certificate in Shiatsu Bodywork Therapy with the European Shiatsu School (2010), a Wellmother Diploma in Shiatsu skills for midwives and doulas (2009) Baby Shiatsu Experience in professional catering and hold a food hygiene certificate. In 2012 I qualified as a Shiatsu Practitioner. St.Johns Ambulance Emergency Life Support Child and Infant. I have experience with Twins. Previous client references available on request. Full public liability insurance Perhaps my most relevant experience is that of mothering itself. I have lots of happy memories of the practical and emotional aspects of raising children and would welcome sharing knowledge and ideas. I have a passionate commitment to helping new mothers maximize their enjoyment of early motherhood. I practice Shiatsu, a wonderfully relaxing and nurturing form of Japanese bodywork. Shiatsu works on all levels:physical-mental-emotional and spiritual-helping to harmonise and balance the bodies flow of energy. It can help to replenish the body and calm the mind both antenatally and postnatally. I offer treatments as part of my doula services. ‘We can do no great things – only small things with great love’