Background

I have always enjoyed working with and supporting families with babies and young children and have done so for more than twenty years. I trained as an Early Years teacher. I worked in school nurseries and then in the nursery of a Children's Centre in North London. I then worked as a Family Support and Outreach Worker in the Children's Centre for several years. This role was very varied and each day was different. I ran groups for parents and babies/young children including Baby Massage, Sensory Baby, Rhyme Time and Stay and Play. I provided outreach support to families from all walks of life, in their own homes and the Children's Centre. I also provided parents with information and sign posted them to other services in the local area. I did not return to the Children's Centre after my second son was born and ran Baby Massage and Messy Play sessions before becoming a Postnatal Doula. 

When I became a Mother, I did not have the support of my own Mother, as she had passed away several years before. Although every situation and everyone's personal experience is different, I can understand what it may be like for a woman to become a Mother without having the support of her own Mother - for whatever circumstances that may be. I have supported women whose Mothers have not been able to support them,because they live in another part of the country or abroad and whose Mothers have passed away and find themselves in a similar situation to the one I was in when my children were babies.

Since the birth of my youngest son, I have taken a keen interest in the support and services that are available for pregnant people and parents of babies and young children and have researched baby and child development, particularly around sleep and feeding issues. I have training in Sleep in Babies and Young Children and Reflux and Early Allergies. I have also completed the Holistic Sleep Mini Course. I am a Breastfeeding Peer Supporter. I trained with the Barnet Breastfeeding Service and I volunteered at drop-in groups in my local community and at Barnet Hospital.

I believe that support for perinatal mental health is so important and I volunteered for the PANDAS Foundation helpline, supporting women and their families with pre and postnatal depression, providing advice and support

I also worked as a bereavement support practitioner at Child Bereavement UK, and have supported families after they have experienced baby loss and the loss of a child. I also supported children after the loss of a parent or anyone important to them.

I know from personal experience about the challenges of being the mother of a new-born and the mother of a new-born and a toddler - the difficulty there can be balancing the needs of more than one child and my own needs as a mother, which can get forgotten.

Looking back, I know that I would have benefited enormously from having the support of a Birth and Postnatal Doula.

I believe that pregnancy, birth and the first few weeks and months with your baby are so important and that every mother should have the support that she needs to feel confident in her own abilities to birth her baby and as a new mother.

Pregnancy and birth support

As your birth doula, I will: Provide continuity of care from the time you book me until after your baby is born at home or at hospital, or for the postnatal period if you would like me to support you and your family postnatally.

Visit you at least twice before the birth of your baby for up to 2 hours, so that we can get to know each other and discuss vour birth preferences and hopes and wishes for the birth.

Provide email, phone and WhatsApp support.

Be 'on call' from when you are 38 weeks pregnant, any time of day or night, until your baby is born.

Support you through labour and birth at home or at hospital.

Provide guidance and support with baby's first feed.

Visit once after the birth - usually within the first ten days, to discuss the birth and help with anything you may need

Postnatal support

As your dedicated postnatal doula, I will discuss your needs and the needs of your family, support you in the way that best meets your needs and will benefit you and your family. I believe that every baby and every family is unique so the ways that I support families may differ. Some of the ways I can help you and your family are:

•  Providing practical and emotional support
•  Non-judgemental, supporting your choices and make suggestions to help you
•  A listening ear, if you want to talk about the birth of your baby or any concerns you may have
•  Baby care assistance
•  Practical support caring for baby while you take time to rest, shower, bath, have time to yourself
•  Accompany and support for first outings with baby
•  walks, shopping, baby clinic, midwife, health visitor, immunisations
•  Breastfeeding and formula feeding support
•  Sleep support
•  Reflux support
•  Prepare nutritious meals - for your lunch and an evening meal
•  Looking after older child/ren
•  Baby massage
•  Help to prepare home before birth of baby - and life with a baby or life with baby and older child/ren

Testimonials

Testimonials "Anna is a kind and empathetic person.

She was non-judgemental. She was understanding of my needs and those of my children. She was quick to establish a good rapport with all my children. She supported me very well both practically and emotionally. She was very reliable and trustworthy. She carried out that l asked her to do and sometimes I did not even have to ask." Mother of third baby, N4, North London

"It was very helpful for us to know that Anna was coming and that we would get a break, particularly in the beginning, before we had the diagnosed dairy allergy as we have a very fussy baby, so it is pretty full on when she's not there. Anna was always looking for ways to help out. Her presence made it possible for us to do things together that we hadn't been able to do since before the baby's birth (like eat lunch together)".

Parents of first baby, Belsize Park, London NW3

"Anna's support with my newborn was so valuable.

Anna did not dictate as to how to parent however she provided advice whenever asked. Anna's approach was to empower rather than take over which is what I really valued. Anna had a very gentle good way with my baby.

Definitely recommend Anna as a postnatal doula."

Mother of first baby, Hampstead Garden Suburb,

London NW11

"Anna came to us when our second daughter was only two days old. She was invaluable in allowing me to get those precious hours of sleep in the first weeks while she cared for my baby. She also helped keeping the house in order and providing nutritious meals. This completely changed my second experience with a newborn and helped with a quicker and smoother recovery. Anna is very caring, kind and soothing with the baby and we very much welcomed her calm and non judgemental presence."

Mother of second baby, Hampstead, London NW3

"Anna is gentle and kind and always listened to my needs and supported me to the best of her ability. I would highly recommend her to other mothers because of my positive experience. Anna came every day to support me looking atter my newborn. I was also struggling with breastfeeding and she supported me. She was very helpful in all aspects."

Mother of second baby, Stanmore HA7, Birth and Postnatal Support

I see that my role as a doula is to support mothers and the whole family in any way that I can in order to help the transition to becoming parents of a new baby. I empower a new mother so that she feels confident to care for her baby and make decisions about the care of her baby, while feeling able to manage household tasks and generally feel positive about her new role as a mother. 

Please get in touch to discuss packages and availability. If you are looking for a Birth, Postnatal and Bereavement Support in North London, North West London, West London, Hertfordshire and surrounding areas. 

https://annadoulasupport.co.uk

Anna@annadoulasupport.co.uk

07930571059