Caroline Zwierzchowska-Dod

About Me

Doula Mama Baba celebrates the partnership between parents and their doula to help support the birth and care of a new baby. Doula Mama Baba – with you every step of the way.

My name is Caroline and I live near Cambridge. As a doula, I am focused on providing evidence-based care to my clients, who value the mix of practical support and experience I bring to their births. I work for you, helping you to navigate your pregnancy and birth choices. However, I also aim to work productively with your doctors and midwives to ensure a team approach to your care, ensuring that you have all of the information and support you need to make the right choices for you.

I have supported families at many births and postnatally in London, Essex and Cambridge, and now generally focus on supporting clients who are in the catchment of or are birthing at the Rosie Hospital.

I enjoy constantly learning about birth, breastfeeding and infant development, am a keen advocate of research-based practice and I hold a PhD in early childhood education.

I enjoy supporting families of all kinds through the experience of childbirth and beyond, and can offer particular assistance with helping other children to participate in welcoming the new arrival as well as tips on ensuring family pets are happy and ready to meet your baby.

My role as your doula is to support you as you make the transition to parenthood or as you grow your family. This involves offering social, emotional and practical support, as well as giving ideas of where to look for information to answer your questions. What I don’t do is offer clinical care for you or your baby, or give you advice on how you should labour, birth or parent – I will try to help you to understand all the options available to you so that you can make informed decisions that are right for you and your family.

I only work with clients who are vaccinated against COVID19 (unless they hold a medical exemption for this).

Birth Support:

I will be on call from 38 weeks to support you from when you call, through to after your baby arrives. Whether you want to birth at home, in a hospital, with a planned caesarean birth or whether that changes over time, I will be there to support you and your family, to ensure your voice is heard. I will not offer clinical advice or medical care, that is the job of the midwives or other health professionals. I am there to support you and to help ensure your birth is how you want it to be, and is the ‘right birth on the day’. I can use my knowledge and experience to offer suggestions, options and practical help for you and your family. I will work with you, your partner if applicable and your healthcare providers to ensure that you and your baby are at the centre of all decisions made to help facilitate a birthing experience that you feel in control of and knowledgeable about.  My clients have included people with medically complex births, international families, clients with tokophobia (fear of birth), LGBTQ+ families and neurodiverse clients.

Postnatal support:

I offer postnatal support through Babysteps (https://www.doulamamababa.co.uk/new-baby/baby-steps) and Steps to Sleep (https://www.doulamamababa.co.uk/steps-to-sleep1/stepstosleep) consultations, and occasionally have availability for in-person night support local to Cambridge.

Professional teaching/expert work:

• Maternity Nurse trainer and course author for maternity nurse, breastfeeding and sleep support training for MANNTA / Silent Night Nannies
• Parenting expert for Mush  and Anya apps
• Book Contributor – “Still Awake” by Lyndsey Hookway
• Book Contributor – “Let’s Talk about the first year of parenting” by Professor Amy Brown
• Antenatal class teacher (6 week Birthwise course, 4 week private courses and stand alone sleep and breastfeeding sessions for Breeze Birthing)
• Nanny trainer (breastfeeding, colic & reflux, Challenging Twos, Newborn to Six months, Sleep support) for Gingham Nannies
• Lead researcher for Evidence Based Postnatal Professionals and for The Big Sleep Company
• Peer Mentor for BabyEm & Holistic Sleep Coaching
• Assessor and course editor for maternity nurse and sleep courses for BabyEm
• Peer supporter at The Rosie Hospital
• Reflux leaflet author for Association of Breastfeeding Mothers
• Parenting article author: https://medium.com/@caroline_72112

Certifications:

• Recognised Birth & Postnatal Doula with Doula UK
• Maternity Nurse training Level 4 – Babyem
• Holistic sleep counselling Level 6 – Babyem
• Reflux & Colic Level 3 – Babyem
• Breastfeeding Counsellor – Association of Breastfeeding Mothers (2 year course)
• Newborn Behavioural Observations (NBO) – Brazleton

Courses attended:

• Doula preparation course – Developing Doulas
• Loving the Multiple Mama training – Mars Lord
• Baby Led Weaning – Sarah Oakley IBCLC
• Waterbirth study day – Dianne Garland
• Breastfeeding Peer Supporter – Cambridgeshire PCT
• Twins and More training – Younique Doulas
• Cultural Competency training – Abuela Doulas
• LGBTQ+ Competency training – The Queer Birth Club
• Association of Breastfeeding Mothers annual conference
• BFI breastfeeding training -Addenbrookes Hospital
• Spinning Babies training 2017 & 2018
• Closing the Bones Massage training – Developing Doulas
• VBAC (Vaginal birth after caesarean) Supporter training
• European Doula Conference 2017 (Warsaw)
• Paediatric first aid
• Enhanced DBS police check
• Food Handling Level 2
• Public Liability insurance to £5 million

Testimonials:

“Caroline did a fantastic job supporting the birth of our second baby. We had him at home as planned and it was one of the most amazing experiences of our lives. It was a pleasure to share this moment with Caroline and be able to count with her support throughout. From the pre birth meetings until the postnatal follow up she was always ready and available, with so much knowledge and empathy. She helped me clarify all of my unresolved questions around birth. During the birth itself she transmitted me calm but also I knew she was a strong woman ready to back me up (which she did!!) whenever needed. I was very impressed by how hands on she was as well, going all out really, to the point of helping put washing on, cleaning and putting away the pool after the birth. And she only really left our home once it was clear that we were settled and happy with the whole family. I am forever grateful for her incredible support and would have no hesitation to recommend her to anyone.” Christine

“Caroline supported us as a doula for the birth of our son, our first baby. We clicked with her straightaway, and really liked her calm, pragmatic and practical approach. It was clear from the outset that she has a fantastic breadth of knowledge and experience of birth, she was easy to talk to, and for these reasons very reassuring. I particularly liked that she is very intellectually engaged with all things birth and early childhood too. The antenatal meetings were very useful and grounding, and she was great at posing questions and bringing to discussion things that I hadn’t thought of. She also has a library of well-chosen books and loaned me a Tens machine and a sling.

I wanted to hire a doula to have the support of a sensible person to ‘cut through the noise’ of information around birth, to be there for me as I have no family in the UK, to provide a consistent and reassuring presence in a busy NHS setting, and give my partner the space to ‘go with it’ and be however he needed to be and not have the pressure to be an overnight expert in supporting birth, and the experience with Caroline fulfilled these needs very well.

Caroline is incredibly organised and committed, and she ensured that I had doula backup support for the 37th week while she was on holiday, even though she was only due to be on call from the 38th. As it happened, I went into labour on the last day of the 37th week, and was supported by both Caroline’s wonderful backup doula Jane, and Caroline herself, who came back from her holiday early. They were both amazing, and worked hard to ensure I had the brilliant, natural, sane, calm birth that I had hoped for. Caroline and Jane worked brilliantly well with the midwife too. I couldn’t have done without the constant encouragement and reassurance, coaching on breathing, snacks to keep my energy up, guidance, massage, physical support, ice spray and essential oils through the 15-hour labour.

I thoroughly recommend every pregnant woman to consider engaging a doula, it is worth it. And I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Caroline.” Clare

“Caroline was our doula for the birth of our second child, where I was planning a home vbac. It was my first time labouring after a planned c section for my first child (breech presentation). We thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Caroline in our prenatal visits, she was completely confident and instantly we knew we were in the hands of someone we could trust. Caroline took us on as clients despite having a broken arm, she was completely committed. We went into labour at 41 wks after a couple of days of niggles. We weren’t sure whether “this was it” however a call to Caroline and she was on her way. We had a very long labour – Caroline arrived around midnight and our son arrived 3am the following night. She was on the ball for every single minute of my labour, working closely with our midwives (across 3 midwife shift changes). I can’t possibly list all the ways in which she supported us – everything from positions, supporting decision making, hand holding, helping with our toddler and dogs, massage, holding gas and air, making me eat and drink. I could go on and on. I do not think I could’ve achieved what I did without her. My son ended up stuck at full dilation and I was in immense pain so we decided to transfer to hospital, she advocated for me to ensure I wasn’t alone on transfer which was something I needed in a scary situation. She stayed at the hospital while we went into theatre for an assisted delivery and made sure everything was ok following the birth. She returned to our house following the birth for a quick nap and then cleaned and tidied our birthing room- by the time I was home it was like nothing had happened in there. Absolutely unnecessary but completely amazing. She felt like family throughout the whole process and we missed her after the birth. We had a lovely postnatal catch up where we got to share memories from the marathon labour and she got the chance to meet our son properly. We owe Caroline the experience of a lifetime, I believe without her support we’d have had an entirely different labour experience and one that easily could’ve ended up in another c section. We have plans to further expand our family in future and will not think twice about having Caroline support us again. Well worth every penny and more! Thank you Caroline!” Elyce HBAC

“Caroline is everything I imagined I would want from a doula: supportive, caring and knowledgeable. She really went that extra mile beforehand to ensure we were totally comfortable and prepared for the home birth of our first child, taking the time to know our birth plan, understanding our wishes and I 100% trusted her to be on hand with support and expert advice on the big day.
Our baby came 11 days early and Caroline was there with us immediately, honestly I can’t imagine my labour without her, she knew exactly what to do and because the midwives came quite late it was Caroline who me and partner leaned on literally for everything from the start of my labour, communicating with the midwives and up to tucking us up in bed with our beautiful baby boy in the early hours. I couldn’t recommend Caroline enough, I felt like I’d known her for years and that made me feel so comfortable and am so glad she was there for our birth. Thank you! Xx” Gill, 1^st time mum

“What a wonderful, knowledgeable, helpful and supportive doula! I couldn’t have asked for anything more, Caroline was amazing went above and beyond to help me through the last stages of pregnancy and labour offered expert advice and support and made me feel completely comfortable and relaxed during my quite traumatic labour constantly reassuring me and comforting me. Her ongoing support and aftercare is fantastic also. Would highly recommend this lady I can not sing her praises high enough for all she has done for me and my newborn.  Thank you Caroline” Sam, 3^rd time mum

“Caroline was a blessing for my partner and I as well as our son. Her support was monumental it helped us to remain focused during a testing time. I would recommend her assistance to anyone who feels they would benefit from a helping hand during labour. Not only is Caroline professional and great at her job but she is a lovely lady, strong and gentle, kind and dedicated. Thank you for blessing us with your soul for what was such a significant experience for us” Mel, 2^nd time mum

“I don’t know how I could have managed my pregnancy and birth without Caroline. Her presence was reassuring and she understood every stage and what to expect next. I have no hesitation in recommending whatsoever.” Rend, 1^st time mum

“I highly recommend Doula MamaBaba! Our doula has made a huge impact in our household! it’s like having a baby expert, trusted childcare, household support, and executive assistant all in one!

We engaged our doula post-natally, and within a very short time, she’s really helped us to have much more quality time together, to feel more comfortable and relaxed in our daily family life. It makes a huge difference — rather than worrying, juggling, and troubleshooting, I feel like we are enjoying early parenthood far more!” Vivian, new mum

Caroline was an absolute life-saver as our post natal doula. We first contacted her when our baby daughter was a week old as we were desperately struggling with the sleep deprivation, troubles feeding, generally not knowing what we were doing and particularly exhausted after a difficult labour. She came for an initial 4 nights and we found her so helpful we asked her to come about 3 nights a week for the next 3 months or so! Caroline stayed overnight with us and helped me breastfeed so I could sleep between feeds. She took full charge of our baby (so winding, settling, changing nappies, working out when to feed etc) as well as supporting me with breastfeeding itself, but most importantly she helped us establish a sustainable way of handling the nights so we learnt a good rhythm and some good habits for when she wasn’t there. Having someone in your house overnight is very intimate so it was a relief that Caroline was so friendly and easy to get on with it. I also found Caroline to be extremely well informed with lots of experience and having read lots of research but she was also very non-judgmental and supportive- being able to ask her all sorts of questions and having her reassurance has been a great source of help and comfort as a first-time mum! My only regrets are that we didn’t contact her sooner and that we didn’t have her as a birth doula- if there is a next time we shall be asking to book her immediately. Ellen, new mum

“As a first time mom, I had my twins at 32 weeks and they spent a long time on the NICU. Caroline’s steadfast support and encouragement was absolutely invaluable, both in terms of practical help and helping build our self-confidence as new parents to two tiny babies who came home on feeding tubes and had no idea how to cope. We couldn’t have done it without Caroline’s help!” Mareike, mother to twins

“Caroline is WONDERFUL. She is warm and caring and found to be fun by children and adults alike. As support for a first time mom Caroline has been amazing. She is wonderful to be around and is fabulous with my little girl. She has helped with day time care while I sleep and has stayed overnight. Caroline not only helped care for my little one (who giggles continuously with her), but she also gave me so much support, helping restore sanity to my home and guiding me around age appropriate developmental games and toys (including home made ones). I have learned a tremendous amount from her. Caroline is knowledgeable and is current on all research baby-related. We’ve discussed many topics including sleeping, breastfeeding, development and picking a Nanny. Caroline presents accepted guidelines, facts, current research and risks. From there I have been able to make informed decisions based on fact, intuition and my child’s temperament. I’ve been grateful to be able to text Caroline in between visits and receive tremendous and quick support. It has been invaluable to have a her support at home and a trusted resource for questions. I recommend Caroline without reservation and would be happy to chat to anyone considering working with her. I have loved getting to know her, as has my little girl, and know we will be in touch for a long time.” Dalia