I'm Jojo, I live in Ware, Hertfordshire with my partner and two children. I first became a Mama in 2016 and then again in 2018. 

I specialise in supporting through the postnatal period, working in many roles to give me extensive experience but also I have a HUGE passion for supporting parents. I have worked in the local area since 2020 giving me great knowledge of local services, and a great connection with many local birth and baby workers meaning I really can help provide that village of support.

I work as:

• A postnatal only doula,
• A breastfeeding counsellor providing antenatal education, home visits and feeding clinics
• An infant feeding practitioner in the community team of a London borough
• Run weekly pregnancy yoga and baby massage classes
• Host the Hertford 6 Week Social Postnatal course
• Run monthly starting solid food workshops
• Provide social meet ups for expecting and new parents

My approach as a doula is to always support families with guidance and care to ensure they feel confident in their decisions around parenting and heard and validated in their experience. 

No two postnatal sessions are the same as no two experiences of parenthood are the same. My main aims of a session are always to ensure parents are heard and rested so each session allows time to check in with how things are going, chance to ask questions whether it be around feeding or baby care. Ensure a hot drink has been enjoyed and a meal! I always try create time for rest either offering to help care for the baby to ensure this, or doing jobs around to make the resting with a baby easier. Often I will make sure there is a hot meal prepared or food available in the fridge to make sure everyone is getting the nutrition they need to recover the body from birth (I mainly cook vegetarian food but can cook meat if preferred).

Ideas of how I can support:

• Caring for the newborn so that you can rest
• Creating nourishing meals for the whole family
• Making time for you to enjoy a hot bath or shower
• Ensuring that your emotional needs are met, by listening and supporting
• Sharing information and contacts on local specialised support e.g. lactation consultants and tongue-tie practitioners
• Support in establishing breastfeeding
• Providing evidence-based resources to make informed parenting decisions
• Entertaining older children in the home
• Attending appointments with you
• Accompanying and supporting you on trips out of the house
• Light housework such as laundry and tidying

Sessions are usually 3 hours and how many times I visit a week is up to you, most families book two sessions a week for around 6-12 weeks. 

Qualifications:

• Postnatal Doula - 2020
• Breastfeeding Counsellor - 2021
• Pregnancy yoga, postnatal yoga and baby massage instructor - 2023
• Starting Solid Foods workshop facilitator - 2023

Please feel free to contact me with any questions or to arrange a chat with no obligations.