I was born and grew up on the beautiful south coast of England and still live here with my husband and 2 grown up children, Jack who was born in 1999 after a lovely water birth and my beautiful daughter Liberty who was born in 2001. I love being a mum and it has been the most rewarding role in my life. When my children were younger I used to be a representative for a company called Mini IQ selling educational books and toys for children. This role fitted perfectly as I could go out to work and do party plan when my babies were in bed and the books were truly outstanding in helping with children’s learning. When my daughter started school I worked for a company doing their bookkeeping and payroll and this job fitted round the family perfectly as I only worked school hours, however nine years down the track and I wanted a new challenge, I wanted to find something that would be rewarding and help others and that’s when I learnt about doulas. Immediately I was attracted to everything a doula can be to help empower a mother and family through one of the most life changing moments of their lives. I trained to become a doula in November 2015 and my first birth as a doula was on 1st January 2016, what an amazing start to the New Year! I would love the privilege to support you and your family in any situation, with any kind of birth and parenting choices you may make. I can support you through pregnancy, labour and birth and if you would like can provide practical and emotional support after your baby is born in the postnatal period at your home. I can provide you with balanced information to enable you to make informed decisions along your journey from birth options, physiology of birth, infant feeding, pain management and anything else you may wish to discuss or have concerns about. I work with both you and your partner, getting to know you both and making a plan on what support you would like during your labour. My job is to help prepare you for the arrival of your baby and to create a safe space emotionally in which you can give birth. Pregnancy and birth is truly amazing it is what our bodies are designed to do, and I know how much positive support through this period can really help. My goal is to provide this to all the mothers I work with – the security and support to have a positive pregnancy and birth, and to be fully present with their baby in the postnatal period. During the birth I will be there exclusively for you. My focus will be 100% on you, in whatever way you find suits you best. I will be your friend and your advocate throughout labour, whether at home or at hospital, and whether it’s a 4 hour labour or a 2 day labour. I will help create a calm, supportive environment where you can feel comfortable and nurtured. If you feel you don't need the full birth package, as above, I also offer 1:1 private antenatal sessions in your home to help you prepare for your labour and birth.
If you are looking for a postnatal doula I would love to hear from you. Every family I work with is different and every family has their own needs. I fit in with you and your family supporting both practically and emotionally. From feeding support, baby-care, light housework (loading the dishwasher, preparing lunch etc), getting you some shopping, even running the hoover around. I can be a shoulder to cry on and someone to listen to you, a chance to “de-brief” your birth in as much detail as you’d like…I’ll even hold your new baby while you have a shower or a sleep. I’m a trained IAIM baby massage instructor and can give you 1:1 sessions if you would like this. My role as a postnatal doula would be to create a calm, secure space where everything feels looked after, so that you can really focus on your baby and your new role as a mother.
All my clients are happy to provide references, here is one below from a lovely family who I worked for postnatally "Angela is a wonderful doula! She took such great care of me and my baby when we were a brand new family. She's very kind and extremely competent, I would recommend her to anyone."
If you're not sure what support you need and you’d like to have a chat to find out how I can support you please give me a call or drop me an email and I would be happy to send you my birth support or postnatal agreements for you to look at which includes my services and fees.
Relevant Training
Developing Doula Course Indira Lopez-Bassols November 2015
Recipes for Normal Birth Sara Wickham March 2016
A Heavenly Welcome Workshop Kierra Blaser – Move from Fear to Excitement about Giving Birth The Hour of Power Workshop by Positive Birth Group Lucy Parker May 2016
Understanding the Dynamics & Impact of Domestic Violence & Sex Trafficking on Victims RoseMarie Philips August 2016
Breastfeeding Workshop Anita Burden September 2016
Ina May Gaskin Workshop - Whose Birth is it Anyway? March 2017
Supporting Every Birth Workshop - Understanding Grief & Loss Michelle Every March 2017
Antenatal and Birth Preparation Workshop - Birth Bliss Academy Siobhan Smith February 2018
Emergency Paediatric First Aid Training
International Association of Infant Massage - Certified Infant Massage Instructor November 2019
