Helen Claire Discombe – Shamanic Doula

About Me

‘Imagine if our culture told us that birth was one of the greatest things a woman might ever do.  Imagine if the stories and images we were exposed to taught us that labour is an incredible and transformational experience.  A rite of passage into motherhood.’  – Leonie MacDonald

First of all, thank-you for taking time to read my profile.  Welcome!

I’m Helen and I am a Shamanic Doula living in Stokenchurch, Buckinghamshire with my partner, our son and our cat.  I first began working in the birth world in 2014 as a HypnoBirthing Practitioner and in 2018 I decided to train with Kicki Hansard’s BirthBliss Academy to become a doula.

My journey into the world of birth began with my own birth preparations when I was pregnant with my son who was born in 2013.  It was from my own transition to motherhood that I truly learned and understood what it means to navigate birth as a rite of passage.

I am passionate about supporting families from pre-conception, through pregnancy, birth and into to the early days with their new baby.  It matters to me not only that you have choices, and that you feel heard, safe, protected and loved, but that you also have the spiritual support and guidance that is needed as you prepare for motherhood (either before conception or during pregnancy) right through to your integrating and growing into the new version of yourself that you will become after you have given birth.

Over the years I have been blessed to be a student of many amazing teachers and mentors including Jane Hardwicke Collings (Shamanic Midwife), Louise Carron-Harris (Medicine Woman) and Kicki Hansard (Doula Trainer, Doula).

Do please take a look at my website to find out more about me and the services I offer, or please do get in touch so we can have a chat.  I absolutely love chatting to women about where they are on their journey!

Finally, if you are considering a home birth and live in South Bucks, I am one of the facilitators of the South Bucks Home Birth Group.  You can find us on Facebook, or drop me a message to find out about our meetings.

I generally cover an area up to a one hour drive from where I live, in Stokenchurch (South Buckinghamshire).  I support births across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and parts of West London at hospitals including Cotswold Birth Centre (Chipping Norton), Horton General (Banbury), John Radcliffe (Oxford), Hillingdon, Royal Berkshire (Reading), Stoke Mandeville (Aylesbury), Wallingford Birth Centre, Wexham Park (Slough) and Wycombe Birth Centre as well as home births.  

If you live or plan to birth somewhere that is more than a one hour drive from Stokenchurch, do please contact me so we may explore your needs and ways I may support you further.

Some Words from Previous Clients – And do check out my Google Reviews too!

There are simply no words to describe how incredibly grateful I am that Helen came into our lives. I could not imagine my birth story without her present. She really was a huge part of our journey Leading up to my son’s birth, during labour and postnatally. Hiring her was honestly the best decision myself and my partner made. She was there through all the incredible highs and momentary lows offering incredible advice and just generally being the best human. I can honestly say she shaped our story into its beautiful being which could have been very different due to issues spotted late in my pregnancy. She very much stopped it being a very traumatic event for us all. She was there when no one was listening to us with a wealth of knowledge, the best shoulder to cry on she enabled us to move forward and I can honestly say my labour and birth experience was the best moment of my life. I get teary just thinking about our time together, she is a true friend that I will never forget. I can say with certainty her purpose in life is to help birthing people feel safe and loved and you will not regret your decision in opening your door and heart and letting her in.
– Cagney, Langley

*****

I brought on Helen as my doula for the birth of my second daughter. I really couldn’t reccomend her more, she brought with her such a wealth of wisdom and experience. Her knowledge of all things birth is expansive and she gave me very valuable guidance on how to navigate dealing with the NHS when I was running well past my due date and was very keen to avoid induction and have an intervention free birth at home. My birth experience was really amazing, I honestly don’t think it could have been more positive, and I know this was largely due to Helen’s consistent support, encouragement, sage advice and all round wonderful service as doula for the birth of my baby. Thank you so much Helen!
– Jess, Henley

*****

Having a doula was important to me due to some negative experiences in hospital in the past. Immediately I felt a connection with Helen and from the very start her knowledge and warm manner gave me confidence. It was also very important to me that my husbands role wasn’t undermined in any way and Helen was just as much a support for him as she was for me. She played such an important part in both of our experiences during the birth of our daughter.

The birth of my daughter had its challenges, but I felt so supported by my birth team that I am able to look back positively. I would highly recommend Helen as a Doula, she helped me achieve a positive experience in less than ideal circumstances and I am so grateful for this.
– Holli, Chalfonts

******

Helen was everything we needed her to be. Positive and reassuring, while also being practical by providing massage, and keeping me warm in the birth pool using a towel. Helen was such a dependable, kind and reassuring presence throughout the whole birth and supported me in having the homebirth I wanted, with minimal medical interference. Helen has an excellent way of being positive and uplifting, while making you feel heard and empathising completely, offering practical solutions and ideas. We both found Helen to be very trustworthy and easy to talk to.
– Elen, Wallingford

*****

When I was in labour Helen answered the phone straight away and came to us as soon as we asked her to. She stayed with us for 24 hours in total! Helen set-up a cozy environment in the hospital and was encouraging and patient throughout. Following the birth, Helen was in touch almost every day to check in and offer advice. Helen is amazing. She listens and gives appropriate advice without judging. Easily available and happy to help, even when she wasn’t call.
– Marie, Thame

*****

I found the tools I learnt with Helen to be priceless and still find myself using the breathing techniques during stressful situations in my everyday life. Helen also showed my husband to be fully involved in each step of the process, rather than standing in a corner of a room quietly panicking, he was there by my side, really involved because knew exactly what my body was doing and why, he also understood his role and was confident in the process.
– Saira, High Wycombe

Towns I frequently work in and around include Abingdon, Amersham, Aylesbury, Beaconsfield, Berkhamstead, Bicester, Bourne End, Chalfonts, Didcot, Gerrards Cross, Hemel Hempstead, Henley, High Wycombe, Maidenhead, Marlow, Oxford, Princes Risborough, Reading, Slough, Thame, Tring, Wallingford, Watlington, Wendover, Windsor & West London