About me as a doula: I am a mother of two university students, (21-year-old daughter and 18-year-old son), both of whom were born at Queens Charlotte’s Birthing Centre, entering the world with just a few breaths, one in the pool another didn’t wait for the pool! I live a simple holistic life with my husband accompanied by our two cats, 5 years old male and 2 year old female, who brings immense joy into our lives.
For the past 15 years, I have passionately served as doula supporting around 280 women through their childbirth experiences. While this number may seems modest compared to midwives who assist thousands annually, my approach centres on fostering close relationships with each woman throughout her pregnancy, birth and postnatal periods.
I deeply trust in woman’s natural instinct to give birth but I recognise that physical and emotional fears can sometimes hinder this instinct. Together, we will navigate your unique birth journey ensuring you feel at east and authentic to yourself during labour. My goal is for you to discover your own strengths and pathways to a fulfilling and positive brith experience.
I believe childbirth is a pivotal moment in a woman’s life, one that leaves a lasting impression. Therefore, I encourage you to be an active participant in your labour feeling an environment of love, care and support, regardless of the circumstances.
My role as a birth doula: I will share insights drawn from both contemporary medical research and traditional birthing practices empowering you to make informed choices tailored to your individual needs. Our communication will remain open such as email, phone, text and video chats throughout your birth journey.
During labor, my aim is to empower you to perform at your best. I will remain steadfastly by your side advocating for your well-being. I also recognise the essential role of fathers and will provide them with both emotional and practical support. Together, as a cohesive team with the medical staff, we will ensure you feel secure and supported.
Following the birth, I will be available for as long as you need offering assistance with breastfeeding and any other needs that may arise at the hospital/home. My support will continue guiding you in breastfeeding and caring for your newborn in a manner that aligns with your preferences ensuring continuity of care. We will also take the time to reflect the arrival of your new baby together.
Yoga with Me: Yoga is the essence of my life. For the past 23 years, I have dedicated myself to the practice of authentic, ancient yoga and for the last 19 years, I have had the privilege of teaching thousands of women. For the past 14 years, I have also taught pregnancy yoga, mother and baby yoga and well-woman yoga at the Portland Hospital. Together with my husband, I operate a yoga retreat centre in Nepal.
My daily personal practice begins at 5 am providing essential support in my roles as a doula, yoga teacher, mother and wife. This practice also has been invaluable during my own pregnancy and labor. Yoga embodies a holistic approach to body, mind, and spiritual development. Through yoga, I am continually learning about life and striving to connect with the present moment. Both practice of yoga and the being a doula share a common goal: the pursuit of self-discovery and compassion.
I am committed to sharing my knowledge with all women seeking true holistic well-being. It is a well-established fact that yoga enhances physical flexibility, strength and stamina, particularly in relation to childbirth. However, its benefits extend far beyond the physical. Yoga fosters a deeper awareness of one’s inner self and cultivates a connection to one’s true nature, ultimately leading to the discovery of profound truths—this is the aim of yoga.
Breath is a powerful tool, significantly impacting emotional well-being during pregnancy and labor. It anchors us in the present moment and connects to the self, even if we may not fully comprehend it. As long as one maintains awareness of each breath and moment during labor, it embraces the birth. Therefore, embodying breath from the time of pregnancy is ideal. Every woman I have supported has expressed that “breathing was incredibly helpful during labor.” I have experienced this firsthand during my own labor and have witnessed its transformative effects on many women. I encourage all women to practice yoga regularly.
Childbirth can be one of the most significant events in your life, and I wish to be there with you to help you understand and connect with yourself, enabling you to do your best during the birthing process.
As a doula, I have supported numerous women from diverse backgrounds. The majority of those in my care have experienced natural physiological labor and childbirth without pain relief, utilising breathing techniques, various poses, birth balls, birthing pools, showers, massages, acupressure, aromatherapy, homeopathy, and rebozo techniques (using a large shawl). Some have opted for TENS machines and entonox (gas and air). When permitted, all women I cared have benefitted from the use of a birthing pool.
I have also provided support during medical interventions, including epidurals, inductions, and cesarean sections.
My experience extends to assisting VBACs, mothers over 40, IVF mothers, single mothers, and those with twins or those experiencing their second or third birth after having faced traumatic or challenging first births.
I have supported births at the following hospitals and birth centres: ●West London (Queen Charlottes NHS/private, St Mary NHS/Lindo Wing, West Middlesex) ●Central London (Portland, UCLH/Fitzrovia Suite, St Thomas) ●South West London (Chelsea & Westminster NHS/Kensington Wing, St Georges, Kingston, Epson, Royal Berkshire) ●North/North West London (Royal free, Whittington, Barnet, North Middlesex, Watford) East (Barkentine birth centre, Homerton, Whipps Cross, Queen Elizabeth)
●Cambridge (Rosie hospital) ●Oxford (John Radcliffe hospital) And number of home births.
If you would like to know more about me/doula/yoga please visit my website: http://matriyoga.com , but is the best to chat online, free of charge!
These are few examples of the words from a midwife and doctors I work with in 2024:
●Junko offers a very unique service and her clients are really lucky to have her. She helps to translate while sharing a very vast knowledge base. She is very collaborative in her approach and not Pushy at all. I really enjoy working with her as she is always very cheerful and pleasant. I look forward to working with you again. It is clear her clients absolutely trust her. (Dr Seni Subair - Portland Nov'24)
●Junko is an absolute pleasure to work with. Junko's soft and kind approach is commendable and the beautiful relationship with the women can be appreciated. I mostly am thankful for Junko's midwifery knowledge on the physiology of labour and trust clinical guidelines. Junko worked with the team and the family to achieve the safe birth of baby. I loved seeing aromatherapy, sacral massages, encouragement, peanut birthing ball equipment used. (Baiqisa - Royal Free Nov'24)
●Very calming and supportive in her care. The client felt comfortable Junko massaged her back during contractions. Managed to get totally with no pain relief and only went to theatre for OP needing Forcepts. Excellent care.
(Dr Claire Mellon - Portland Sep'24)
●Junko is the best doula I have met. She is so caring with her clients, its often easy to mistake her for a family member. She has such a good rapport! Junko is also very knowledgeable and respectful. I hope s to see her again soon! (Olivia - QCCH May'24)
If you would like to read other midwife words please visit, http://matriyoga.com/midwife.html
