Claire Saye – Doula & Birth Photographer

Having been a birth photographer for 6 years I have found myself unconsciously providing unofficial doula support to parents from the moment I took my first birth client. It just felt natural to support birthing people and their partners and not just be their photographer. I would often reassure, research and signpost parents to information if they asked a question. Moving on to become an ‘official’ doula seemed like the natural next step. Lockdown helped too as I found myself unable to work as much or at all and having the time to study and complete a doula course. I completed the Developing Doulas Preparation Course in July 2020 and am now offering doula support alongside capturing births. ​

Having attended close to 60 births as a photographer and doula I have gained a lot of experience from being in the birth space. I have attended births in hospitals, birth centres and at people’s homes. Have observed water births, inductions, C-sections and births using hypnobirthing techniques, which I can highly recommend. I am familiar with working in Colchester Hospital, Broomfield, Basildon, Southend University Hospital, Ipswich Hospital, Kingston, Homerton, Lewisham, St Thomas’ and St Mary’s in London. I have built up trusted relationships with midwives and other birth workers, learning to understand how to respect the birth space and work with and alongside health professionals, whilst still supporting my birthing persons wishes. A real passion for me is to support people who choose to have wild pregnancies and to free birth. It is so empowering to be in the birth space with people who are so in tune with their baby and body.

My specific interest is doula-ing parents who become pregnant again after a loss, either pregnancy loss or baby loss. I volunteer at my local hospital helping parents who have sadly lost their babies by capturing memories that they can treasure forever. Although everyone’s journey through pregnancy and baby loss is different and personal to them, I can sadly empathise and with that hopefully help ease some of the anxiety that develops through pregnancy, labour and birth.

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 As your doula I will completely support you and your partner, emotionally and practically, in whichever direction your birthing journey takes you, providing you and your partner with comprehensive information in order for you to make informed decisions and choices to ensure you have the best possible birth for you, on that day. Whether that be a planned vaginal birth or a planned abdominal birth. People planning a C-section delivery need just as much support, comprehensive and non-judgemental information too and I am happy to provide that. My aim is to give you all the information and confidence to advocate for yourself but to be your voice if and when you need me to be.

I have birth pools, a birth swing, TEN’s machines, a peanut ball and a good library of books which you are free to use. I also have aids for labour including aromatherapy oils.

I also offer Placenta Remedies, including being able to encapsulate your Placenta.