Erika Townend

About Me

Covering;
Frimley Park Hosptial
Royal Surrey
Royal Berkshire
Wexham Park Hospital
Basingstoke Hospital

Hello and thank you for stopping by. If you are pregnant, Congratulations to you!

What makes you feel at ease, happy, safe, and secure?

This is a worthy exercise, as it is one of the best ways to see if, as your Doula, I will suit you. Just as important is whether you feel that we”click” together.

You (and your partner ) undoubtedly will grow in strength and knowledge during your pregnancy and are likely to birth your child with more power than you’d perhaps ever imagined. This, in turn, will provide you with a solid foundation as you become a parent/s.

If making you at ease, happy, safe, strong, and secure are essential to you t, we will do everything possible to make this happen for you and your partner.

I embarked on my journey as a Doula after the birth of my gorgeous and incredibly cheeky little girl Ava!
I had chosen my best friend to attend both of my births alongside my husband.  She provided invaluable support on both occasions that, even today, I can’t put a value on. There is no way to quantify the comfort & knowledge she provided us.
In a world that can be very pressurised and where expectations are high, I can help you realise your choices—focus on what is achievable and how your wishes can be translated into reality for your upcoming birth.  If you need me to assist you both in advocating for your choices, I will guide you and help you find your voice.  I will listen to you and ensure that you are heard.  As a Doula, I refer this to as ” holding your space”.
I will have enough emotional distance from any situations that may arise to ensure that choices are presented clearly and objectively.
My passion for all things birth has me believe all women deserve the best birth available for them. The sense of empowerment you can achieve from your birth, regardless of the mode of birth, must never be underestimated. Something that will stay with you for the rest of your life.

I run a FREE and successful positive birth group in my local area once a month for all expectant parents and fellow birth workers. A fantastic way to meet like-minded people in similar situations as yourself. (Currently not operational during COVID)

Please get in touch with me for my fee as a recognised birth and Postnatal Doula.

If you are interested in Hypnobirthing, I can also offer this to you.  I am a qualified KG Hypnobirthing instructor.
Please visit – Hypnobirthing

I believe that all women have the power within themselves to achieve the best birth outcome possible given the correct environment and support.
My mantra is that “our bodies are meant to do this” and I genuinely believe that if you can remove any worries or fear you may be holding onto you will be in a better position to achieve a positive birthing experience.
With me as your Doula, fear becomes manageable and reduced, and even obsolete.  I will support you with all my heart so that you can one day look back and say, “I did it!”

Extracts from my testimonials, full testimonials and more available on my website.

Erika was an amazing source of comfort during my labour; she has a gift that can not be put into words……

Erika was so calming, and whenever I was anxious she was always so supportive and had many ideas to help cope with my anxieties……

Wow! Where to begin! Erika was a positive and calming presence for our labour……

We decided on having Erika as our Doula after a Positive Birth Meeting finding her very reassuring – for the first time I felt more relaxed……

Erika brought a lot of positive energy and expertise into the labour process and helped us calmly deal with labour; she championed my desire to have an intervention-free birth, helping to negotiate with consultants and hospital staff. Furthermore, she always helped us focus on the positives – having someone I trust during labour was invaluable….as the hospital midwife panicked about not being able to see the baby, Erika was already there with a birth mirror! She was so well prepared………

Come and visit my website at Erika Townend Birth where you can find more details about me and options I can offer you.

I trained under the guidance of the renowned Michel Odent, and Liliana Hammers at Paramana Doula in London in have completed several CPD courses such as:
Birth Crisis workshop with Sheila Kitzinger MBE
Waterbirth Workshop with Liz Nightengale Independent Midwife at Purple Walnut Midwife
Practical skills to prevent and resolve malpresentation with Magical Birth
When Survivors Give Birth: Understanding & Healing the Effects of Early Trauma on Childbearing Women – Penny Simkin
Katharine Greaves Hypnobirthing Teaching
Birth of Essence Birth Photography Workshop with Birth Becomes Her
Birth Videography Workshop with Birth Becomes Her
Through the Dark Lens with AbuelaDoulas (Mars Lord and ASAM)
Ongoing work with Frimley Trust collaborating on many maternity workstreams as co-chair for the Maternity Voices Partnership

I have experience in managing Gestational Diabetes in pregnancy and at birth.
Rhesus Negative blood groups
Induction
NICU
Labouring at home
I have attended births at Wexham, The Royal Berkshire, Basingstoke, Royal Surrey and Frimley Park Hospitals.
I have supported water births both at home and in a hospital setting
Use of gas & air
Pethidine
Epidurals
C-Sections
VBAC
This has allowed me to understand the choices and some of the possible situations that could arise during labour and how to best offer support to you when options are presented.

I run two Facebook pages where I often post interesting articles on all things birth related. Please do pop by and take a look.
http://www.facebook.com/Erika.townend
http://www.facebook.com/Positive.birthing
My mobile number is 079429316

Let’s chat♥
Erika