Jenna Rutherford

About Me

I am a 38 year old doula, pregnancy yoga teacher and mother of two (my son, born in 2011 and my daughter, born in 2014).  I live with my family in Addlestone, just outside Weybridge in Surrey.  I am an avid reader of all things birth and parenting, I am currently making my way through Milli Hill’s new book, Give Birth Like a Feminist and The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding for a new mindful breastfeeding training course I’m about to take.

After a difficult birth and initial post natal period with my own son, I started looking into ways I could help new mothers who might also be struggling.  This opened up a whole new world to me of doulaing, birth work and empowerment.

I became a Doula UK birth mentor last year and now support new doulas on their journeys. I love this role of doulaing the doula and as an experienced recognised doula it’s a new and welcome element to my birth work.

I believe women deserve to choose how and where they have their baby and should be given all of the information necessary for them to make this choice as informed as possible to best suit them and their families.  I am here to help you achieve your birth wish in whatever way I can by offering emotional and practical support at a life changing time in your lives.  I am there for you and your needs, whatever they may be.

Since beginning my doula journey I have attended my initial preparation course with Maddie McMahon (author of ‘Why Doulas Matter’) at Developing Doulas in November 2013 and have also attended a number of workshops to extend my doula knowledge:

Mollie O’Brien – Biomechanics for birth workshop (April 2020)

Anna Le Grange – Mindful Breastfeeding Course (March 2020)

Rebecca Dennis – Transformational breath workshop (Feb 2020)

Natalie Meddings – Workshop for birth workers from the author of ‘Why Home Birth Matters’ and ‘How to Have a Baby’ (May 2018)

Sarah Lo – Yin Yoga training (March 2018)

Maddie McMahon – Breastfeeding Case Studies Workshop (Jan 2018)

Zara de Candole – Postnatal herbs for healing workshop (Sept 2017)

Cherie Lathey at Yoga Mama – Pregnancy and Postnatal Yoga training (April 2017)

Sara Wickham – Recipes for Normal Birth (Feb 2016)

Kate Rosati – Tongue tie specialist and breastfeeding expert CPD day (June 2015)

Natalie Meddings  – Making Mothers a Map workshop for efficient labouring (April 2015)

Stacia Smales-Hill – Rebozo Workshop for comfort measures in labour (Nov 2014)

I founded the Love your Birth workshops with Erin McGuigan to create a workshop which supports the NCT and other preparation courses but also fills the gaps that we as doulas see are missing in birth preparation.  We hope women who attend our courses leave feeling more relaxed and confident about their births. Courses are held in Weybridge and Kingston.  Please have a look at our websites for more details.

I have experience so far in working at Kingston Hospital, St Thomas’s Hospital, St Helier Hospital, Epsom Hospital, St Peter’s Hospital, West Mid and Chelsea and Westminster Hospital.  I have attended home births, water births and hypnobirths as well as inductions and c-births.  I have supported single Mums, couples and birthing partners and also organise placenta encapsulation.   I have a TENS machine which I lend to my clients for free and an extensive birth book library.

I can also offer shared care arrangements with another doula if I can’t offer sole care due to other commitments.

TESTIMONIALS

Please go to my website for more testimonials.

‘Since as young as I can remember I have always been scared of giving birth, in fact terrified is a more accurate description, it has always been my biggest fear. Finding out in early 2018 that I was pregnant, was the most exciting news but immediately my mind took over and my anxiety grew and grew for the birth of our son. I came across Jenna’s profile online when I was 7 months pregnant, the support from her for my partner and I was invaluable, she immediately calmed my mind and helped me to feel confident in my body’s abilities. She was by my side throughout my whole labour whether it was to rub my feet, put cool flannels on my face or just hold my hand, her calming presence and words of encouragement got me through when I wanted to give up.

Jenna now forever has a special place in my heart, for helping me on the most wonderful day of my life. No amount of thankyous could ever be enough to express how grateful we are for her continued support and love throughout my pregnancy and labour.’

Tamsyn and Cameron, August 2018

‘Jenna was a massive lifesaver for myself and my husband during pregnancy. She was always available during a time for me that was filled with a lot of anxiety and always made time for any questions or worries I had. Despite all of the anxiety I had around labour, the birth could not have gone more smoothly and I think Jenna was a big reason things went so well and I was able to remain calm throughout. I would not hesitate to recommend Jenna and would want her to be my doula again if I have any more children in future.’

Adrianne and Tom, June 2018

‘Jenna’s calm and sensible approach was a perfect compliment to us as first time parents and we are very glad we chose her as our doula. She was a great support in the run up to the birth and I often turned to her in various states of panic about something the midwife may have said or something I read online (!). In the birth room itself her calm demeanour was really helpful and she blended in and let us have our space but knew when and how to step in and help where needed and had various tools and tactics that came in useful during labour, and supported our birth plan. We had a difficult labour and Jenna was invaluable in helping us through and supporting us throughout – not sure what we would have done without her. Above all, Jenna is a really really great listener and even though my baby is 8 months we are still in contact and in such a fast paced world her ability to listen and observe impartially are qualities for which I have great respect.’

Lindsey and James, October 2017

​​’Jenna has been an absolute privilege to not only meet, but to have as my doula.  I couldn’t have wished for anyone more perfect.  She was so very nurturing and spiritual, yet down to earth…an absolute rock at a time when I felt very vulnerable.  Words cannot describe the strength she pulled out of me, to create the birth experience I wanted.  I sincerely wish she had been at all my births!  My partner found her amazingly supportive and my children adored her!  She will always hold a special place in our hearts and I can throughly recommend her…thank you Jenna! xx’

Sara & Steve, December 2016

‘As soon as you came in, there was a sort of quiet calm, which spread from you to everyone around.  I wasn’t sure there was much need for me after you arrived but not only did you support Cat but you really helped me find my place and see where I could help and support her.  It was just amazing having you here.’

Anna, Birth partner, October 2015

‘Jenna was a fantastic support to us in the late stages of our pregnancy, during the birth and after. Jenna was like a sea of calm and comfort during an exciting, but also a somewhat daunting time! After only a few chats with her I felt empowered and confident in myself both for the labour and afterwards as a new mother. Her suggestions and ideas around the birth truly helped during labour, and I have no doubt that my ability to keep relatively calm during labour was largely thanks to her.’

Clare & Dave, September 2015

‘Thoughtful and empathetic, Jenna provided consistent support throughout. She supported my wishes to avoid an induction by referring me to the evidencebasedbirth.com website as well as the AIMS website and encouraged me to call the AIMS support helpline as well as making me aware that I was within my rights to ask for a meeting with my hospital’s Supervisor of Midwives when I was still unhappy after being pushed towards an induction by my consultant. Jenna helped me realise that I always had a choice in the matter.
Jenna was very supportive and kept in touch with me with messages of support and reassurance. During labour, Jenna provided constant emotional support for me and my partner. She was very good in keeping the choices I’d made beforehand in mind and reminding both me and my partner of them but not pushing the point. The choice was always up to us. During the active labour stage, Jenna was happy to let my partner take the lead in supporting me but it was good to know she was there to step in if needed. We thought everything that Jenna did was spot on and can’t think how it could have been improved.’

Eva & Rob, July 2015

•My clients are happy to be contacted for references•

www.theminimalistdoula.com