Hello - and congratulations on your pregnancy! I hope you're feeling well and finding the process of finding your doula fun, not overwhelming!

I'm Charlie. I have three children, and I came to birth work because each of their births was an incredible, enriching, transformative and life-enhancing experience. I know that having a 'good birth' really matters, not just on the day, but in all the time that follows. I also know that what makes birth 'good' isn't necessarily how or where it happens. I definitely know that those good experiences are just down to luck - birth can be unpredictable, but that doesn't mean it can't also be good. 

I could be the doula for you if....

• You like a good plan and the people who love you might say you're a little bit of a control freak
• You want to have time and space to consider and investigate the varied options and  possibilities ahead of you
• You want to have a birth you can reflect on with joy and pride
• You'd like the reassurance of someone you trust, and who knows the system, on the end of the phone

Charlie is amazing - so down to earth, kind, supportive and knowledgeable. We had an online session just before I was due to be induced when things felt really stressful and overwhelming. Her session was great - so empowering and totally reframed things. She gave my partner and me confidence and knowledge which really transformed our birth experience. She made herself available to us during this time and after and I felt so cared for and supported. I'm so grateful to her!

It's all in the planning

My speciality is birth planning. I think it's so essential that I wrote an MA about it at the Centre for Women's Studies at the University of York. I have spoken to many, many women about their varied plans - how they wrote them, why they wrote them, how they were used, what they wish they had known, how they influenced what happened on the day (or didn't). I've also spoken to midwives, obstetricians and academics about the value of birth plans... and where they fall flat. In short, I am the Queen of Birth Plans! 

Birth is an incredible human experience. Totally transformational and unforgettable. Emotional and totally unique to everyone. That doesn't mean it's all serendipity. Birth can be unpredictable. There will be things influencing your birth that are way outside your control. But, knowing how the system works, knowing all the options available to you and having realistic expectations are factors that you can control. Gathering all this information, and developing your attitudes to it all can feel overwhelming (particularly as you'll be cramming it all into just 40-ish weeks). But it needn't overwhelm you. And that's what I'm here for. 

I'm booked for another c-section with our third baby. And - get this - I can't wait! Charlie's made such a big impact in my family's lives, and I honestly can't thank her enough. I wholeheartedly recommend speaking to her to anyone dreading a birth after a trauma, but also to people who are doing this for the first time and aren't sure what to expect (and pat yourself on the back for having the foresight to seek that support before there's a problem!). Just having someone with her ability to empathise and support you through the process is absolutely invaluable.

I'm here to help you have your baby in the right way for you on the day

It's important to say that I genuinely don't have a bias about how or where you have your baby. I am interested in you feeling confident, assured and well supported. It's not my job to influence you or persuade you to do it a particular way. I'm here to listen to you and offer suggestions that will give you the confidence to prepare for the birth you want, however it happens. 

I was fortunate enough to have Charlie recommended to me in the early weeks of my second pregnancy. I was utterly terrified of giving birth again. I am so thankful to Charlie for helping me more than I could have even imagined. Charlie is a wonderful lady and the support she gives is so personalised. She genuinely cares and goes above and beyond. She transformed my view on birth which resulted in the birth of my second child being a lovely experience and a time I think back to very fondly. I’d happily do it again and that’s all down to Charlie!  

Why do I do doula? 

I had three very different, but very positive births. I may well be the last woman in England who had proper continuity of care - the same two midwives cared for me for five years, through pregnancies, miscarriages, births, breastfeeding and everything that comes with it. Fifteen years later they are two of my dearest friends. 

The experiences women have in birth are powerful and binding. We all deserve more than the scheduled 15min antenatal appointment that has to include weeing in a cardboard cup, having your blood pressure taken and your belly measured and going through the same tick-box list of questions every woman is asked. 

You do deserve more. You are not being precious because you want to be able to talk to the same person about your aspirations and anxieties. You deserve the time and space to ask all and any question you might have, about how birth happens in your body, and how it happens in the system. Those questions are rarely answered once. You often need time to ruminate, discuss and ruminate again. And then - importantly - you need to contextualise in the reality of what is actually happening, and how you are actually feeling, on the day. That's what 'continuity of care' means. It what was so important to me. It is what is so important to the women I work with. It's what is often makes the difference.Sadly the NHS just cannot offer that to you. But I can, and it's what I absolutely love doing.

I've sat down to write this four times. Each time I have had to stop, as I felt my words were not adequately describing the impact Charlie had on ensuring I had a wonderful third birth. I have recommended Charlie's services many times, to everyone who will listen. She educated, calmed and empowered me to have the most wonderful and positive birth experience. I can't recommend her enough!

What else? 

• I am the Maternity and Neonatal Voice Partnership (MNVP) Lead for Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust. It's my job to get out into the community and hear the experiences of women and families, and then use that feedback to help the Trust improve their service. You can find us on instagram and Facebook
• I am a volunteer with the Association for Improvements in the Maternity Services (AIMS)
• I am quite gobby, and really do quite like talking about birth and birth planning at conferences and events. I represented AIMS at The Kings Fund and the Normal Birth Conference, and I have co-facilitated workshops at FiLiA and UCL.
• I was research assistant to Professor Jenny Gamble at Coventry University working on the evaluation of an NHSE Maternity intervention and on two NIHR funding applications about public health literacy. 
• All this /\ means that I have worked across four 'domains' of maternity care (121 care, within the NHS, in the voluntary sector and academically) which gives me really valuable and pragmatic insight. 

My first Doula Top Tip for you....

Doula's are very happy to chat to you. Call us and tell us about you. Each conversation you have will tell you a little more about what you want and need from your doula, which will make your choice easier. Choosing your doula isn't a checklist. It's all about rapport. Feel free to get in touch to arrange a chat, and let's see how we get on, and I may be the right doula for you. 

Hope to hear from you soonCharlie x