Becoming a parent for the first time (or even the second, third or fourth!) is a life changing and transformative experience which I believe should be honored and celebrated by all those around you. It can feel exciting when you first discover you are pregnant, but perhaps also a little overwhelming. As a doula I am here for you every step of the way, no matter which direction your pregnancy and birth journey takes. 

I am a Mum of three children (aged 11, 13 and 15) and an experienced doula of 8 years. During my time supporting familes, I have witnessed births at home, in hospital (Derriford, Treliske and Exeter) and in birth centres. I have supported water births, wild and free births, assisted births (forceps and ventouse), multiples and breech births as well as inductions and cesarean births both unplanned and planned. 

I am passionate about supporting natural physiological birth, but also know that pregnancy and birth can be unpredictable and may take you on another journey. Whatever path your birth takes, know that I am there for you providing informational, emotional and practical support. I am a great listener and will offer you unwavering support throughout.

I work in a trauma informed and culturally sensitive way at all times. It is ALWAYS an honour for me to walk alongside you on your birth journey and provide support for the whole of your family (partners, siblings and grandparents too!) We are all unique and have different life experiences, personal circumstances, hopes and wishes and I respect that. I will support you and your family without judgement and have every faith that the decisions that you make are the right ones for you.

Preparation for birth is a journey of self-discovery and transformation, so we will explore your strengths and inner resources together, as well as your hopes, fears and concerns about pregnancy, birth and becoming a new parent. We will also talk through all your options so that you feel confident, empowered and of course excited about the birth of your baby. 

As each family is so different I like to tailor the support I offer to your own unique needs and meet you right where you are. If you are drawn to meditations, journaling, drum journeys and birth related art, then we can weave into our time together, but if that's not for you, then that's OK too. 

I always offer a no obligation chat with families who are looking for a doula as this helps me to get to know you a little and for you to see if I am the right doula for you. Connection is everything after all! 

Being a doula is so much more than just a job for me, it is a part of my life. Every family I support teaches me something new about birth and about myself; it is a journey and I am always learning alongside you. 

"From the moment you ask them to be yours, a piece of their heart has your name on it”(Sarah Caldwell, The Unspoken Truth About Your Doula)

Training and Experience I spent 15 years working in the charity sector in different roles and in 2014, my family moved to Cornwall and embarked on a BIG lifestyle change (and we have never looked back!) I came to be a doula after my third child was born, although perhaps I was always meant to follow this path, but was just waiting for the right time! In October 2017, I completed my doula training with Kate Woods of Conscious Birthing and was mentored by Kate as part of her Student Doula Programme. I finished my training and became an ‘established’ Conscious Birthing doula in January 2020. I decided to join Doula UK in 2020 and I am now also a Doula UK recognised doula. 

• October 2017 – Birth Doula Training with Kate Woods at Conscious Birthing
• April 2018 – Jan 2020, mentored doula through Conscious Birthing’s Student Programme, with Kate Woods
• December 2017 – Herbs for pregnancy, birth and after with Sarah Lambourne, Golden Earth Temple
• December 2017 – Closing the Bones Training with Maddie McMahon
• April 2018 – Homeopathy for Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond with Sophie Knock
• April 2018 – Breastfeeding Peer Supporter Training with Real Baby Milk
• November 2018 – Hospital Peer Supporter Training with Real Baby Milk
• November 2018 – NICE breastfeeding training
• April 2019 – Breastfeeding Support Training for Young Mums with Wild
• June 2109 – Massage for Women with curandera and ethnobotanist, Rocio Alarcon
• June 2019 – I’m Fine, perinatal Mental Health Training
• June 2019 – Doulas Without Borders, Trauma Informed Care training with Kate Woods
• September 2019 - Deepening Woman with Rachael Crow
• Jan 2020 – Completed Conscious Birthing’s Student Doula Programme and became an ‘Established’ doula
• September 2020 - The Care Certificate (via The Brandon Trust)
• April 2020 to date - The Art of Birth, Naoli Vinaver
• October 2020 - joined Doula UK
• February 2021 - Epilepsy Awareness, The Brandon Trust
• March 2021 - Ongoing - Shamanic Mentoring with Eva Bay Greenslade
• March 2022 - Joined Wise Woman Birth School
• April 2022 - Birthing from Within - Childbirth Educator Training
• March 2023 - became a doula mentor with Conscious Birthing

*** Some Kind Words 

"In the first month of pregnancy I really had no idea what my role as a dad would entail throughout pregnancy and the birth of our little boy.
Whilst my partner started to prepare for the birth, in what seemed to me to be in sync with her natural motherly instinct, I felt like a spectator, isolated and unaware as to how I could play a meaningful part in supporting her.
Only when we started our journey with Jo did I discover my role as a birthing partner.
Jo delivered sessions that included the physiology of birth, guided meditations, astro mechanics, birthing positions, birth planning and a birth run through session whilst sharing informative resources throughout, which were extremely helpful. As the sessions went by our plan evolved, our confidence grew and I felt prepared to make decisions to support my partner in any eventuality.
With Jo's careful guidance I went from being a spectator, to being the proud Gatekeeper, equipped with the knowledge and tools to support my partner alongside Jo at our little boys home birth. I am proud to say this was the most amazing experience of my life.
Jo has a infectiously calm ora coupled with a highly professional approach that made my partner and I feel at ease from our first session through to last of her post birth support visits. She is a very special human, to whom I am eternally grateful and I truly can not recommend her support enough."

"We found Jo to be our doula for the birth of our first child, we decided early that we needed support in pregnancy and birth after I was very nervous about having a natural birth and navigating pregnancy. After much research and Jo’s support I became more confident in birthing naturally and decided I’d like to have a home water birth. There were a few times of worry during the pregnancy and navigating systems and Jo was there for me when I needed some reassurance and calmly helped us with any questions or concerns and was always on the other end of the phone. When it came to the birth of our baby I cried as she walked through the door as I was in Labour from relief of having her there with me. Her presence was calm and she did everything to make sure things went smoothly also she helped my partner remain calm as supported him also to support me. I could write so much more on the whole journey but we’d be here a while we’re just so thankful for her and I believe I wouldn’t have had the birth we did without her. I then received the closing of the bones ceremony which was a perfect way to end this chapter and welcome the new one with our baby girl. Jo’s wisdom, kindness, and care and non judgemental approach was all we needed and we’re forever grateful for your service and welcoming into the world with us our baby. Thank you for everything!"

"I wish every woman could have a doula like Jo to support them through pregnancy and birth."

“Jo is an amazing Doula! She supported me during pregnancy, birth and after as well as performing the closing the bones ceremony!She is so passionate about helping people and I cannot believe how much she helped me and my husband during the birth! Highly recommend!!”

*“Jo was my doula. She helped me and my husband throughout the labour so much.I ended up using the birthing pool. I didn’t think this was going to happen due to complications but Jo really helped to make this happen.I highly recommend Jo. She helps you to realise you have a choice about things you wouldn’t think about.”

"Jo was supportive and knowledgeable. She provided me with useful information from the very start. Before the birth she helped me with my anxieties and uncertainties. During the birth she knew exactly what was needed and when. For instance she was aware of the babies positioning and therefore knew what would help during the contractions. After the birth the closing of the bones ceremony felt very special and an important part of the journey to motherhood. Jo was always very kind, calm and unobtrusive. I would highly recommend her to any pregnant mother."

"I don't know that I would have had the most perfect VBB (Vaginal Breech Birth) I had without Jo. She was a key part of my experience. She supported my back during every, single, surge. She was there for me. She was quiet and calm but also incredibly strong and encouraging. She gave space to my partner but at the same time she was present all along. She brought essential oils and helped me to position myself as well as decorate the room with my affirmations and fairy lights."