My name is Katie and I live in Wandsworth SW London (SW11), commonly known as Nappy Valley. I have a daughter born in 1999 and a son born in 2001  (let's not talk about the slamming doors)! I had two very different birthing experiences with my children.  My first was with all the drugs (I am a complete woss when it comes to pain, plus I knew nothing about birth and was terrified). I knew my midwife so found the whole experience very positive.  My second was very fast and I didn't get time for any drugs, but I was really pleased because having a natural birth was such a lovely experience.  I feel so fortunate to have experienced both. Giving birth, for me, was a life-changing experience and I have never felt quite as much strength, fear, pain, relief, joy and above all, empowerment as I did giving birth to my children. I was inspired to become a doula, as I have always been fascinated with pregnancy and birth. I did consider becoming a midwife, but I know I wouldn't have been able to deal with the needles!   I really believe every woman has the right to the birth experience she wants. I do not come with any agenda. You only get one shot at this, so I want to give every mother to have the best outcome possible - whether that's birthing under the stars, opting for all the drugs, or anything in between!  Giving birth to your baby is one of the most wonderful, challenging and rewarding things you will ever do, and memories of your labour will stay with you forever which is why positive birth is so important.

SERVICES I PROVIDE:

I am very good at getting results by being both diplomatic and persistent (some might say annoying) but with the NHS "The squeakiest wheel gets the most oil"!  I understand how the NHS/private hospitals work so am able to get the best outcomes possible.  I have a good reputation with the hospitals and I make sure everyone is happy in the room, so maintain a calm and happy atmosphere. As your doula, I will help you prepare for birth, help you with informed choices for giving birth, and listen to and discuss your doubts, fears, previous experiences and wishes. As your doula, I will give you and your partner emotional and practical support before, during and after birth. The services that I offer include:

• An initial phone call to get to know each other and see how I can support you.
• You can contact me by email, text or phone throughout your pregnancy.
• Two antenatal sessions.
• On-call 10 days before your due date until your birth. 
• Support throughout labour, and whilst you settle in with the baby and feeding
• 1 postnatal debrief visit.
• As I live in London, I know the local area well and all the services provided to pregnant Mums, and I am able to get to my clients quickly and easily.

There is more about what I can offer on my website.  If you have any questions, feel free to get in touch at  http://www.wandsworthdoula.co.uk

EXPERIENCE:

I have supported home births, water births, natural births, inductions, ventouse, forceps, hypnobirthing, epidurals & VBAC births. I have supported Mums during caesarean births (both emergency and planned caesareans) - so if you have a partner, and they are at all squeamish, or you are on your own, I will know what to expect, and am happy to support you. I have also supported Mums with various medical conditions and have arranged meetings with Senior Midwives when appropriate. I also volunteer for a charity called Happy Baby which provides birth support for women who have escaped sex trafficking, war-torn countries or domestic violence.  It is challenging but extremely rewarding. I also practice Biomechanics which are gentle technics to help a birthing mother ensure her pelvis is balanced, helping to prevent medical interventions. It is extremely rare for a mother to have a too narrow pelvis to give birth. If birth stalls, or if progression is taking too long it is usually because the baby is not in a great position. This is often due to the pelvis being slightly out of balance and so giving the baby less room to manoeuvre. By carrying out very simple techniques, it can help to realign the pelvis and so help the baby to get into a better position therefore birth can progress, often quite quickly.

COURSES:

• Nurturing Birth Doula Course with Sophie Brigstoke - 2012
• Understanding and Communicating Birth Physiology - Valerie Goedkoop - 2013
• Paediatric First Aid Course - 2013
• Breastfeeding London Study Day - 2013
• Hypnobirthing Course with Katharine Graves - 2013
• Sarah Buckley Study Day - Undisturbed Birth and Ultrasound Safety - 2013
• Breech Study Day - 2013
• Micheal Odent Study Day - 2014
• Michel Odent - Vaginal Breech - Lecture @ Kings College - 2016
• Nurturing your Doula Business - Nurturing Birth 2018
• Gathering In The Knowledge - Dr Sara Wickham - 2018
• Birthing the placenta - Dr Sara Wickham - 2018
• Post-Term Pregnancy - Exploring evidence, Inspiring confidence - Dr Sara Wickham - 2019
• Pelvic Health - Sofia Vilan - 2022
• Physiology of birth - Rachel Reed Midwife - 2022
• Biomechanics for birth - 2023

I have much more information on my website:  http://www.wandsworthdoula.co.uk Please do have a look and feel free to contact me.

TESTIMONIALS:​

"We were considering having a doula for a very long time and we only started looking towards the end of the pregnancy. Given this was our second child, we didn’t have any support in London and NHS services were struggling and we wanted to make sure we were prepared for the arrival of our baby girl. We really wanted to have a natural birth centre experience and because of Katie, who we connected with from the very first phone call, we were able to have just that. Katie kept us informed and calm throughout the whole preparation and on the day of the birth. Having her as our support was the best decision we could have made and we are so grateful to her for helping us achieve the most magical birth we could have wished for. We would 100% recommend her to anyone who is expecting a baby and is in need of someone who can advocate for them and be there for them in every step of that wonderful journey. Thank you Katie for being part of our precious memory."  Gosia - SW11

"We absolutely loved working with Katie. She is everything you could ask for in a Doula. She is knowledgeable, helpful, kind, informed and flexible. She was able to adapt to both my husband's and my (very different) needs leading up to the big day and also during labour. Her knowledge and ability to 'keep cool' under pressure really helped us during the birth of our son. Her extra support made all of the difference to both of us. I am so grateful for all of Katie's amazing recommendations leading up to the birth (what to expect, what to bring ... all of the things that seem so overwhelming for first-time parents) as well as her calming and reassuring presence during labour. We are eternally grateful to Katie and we are very, very happy with our decision to work with her during the most important event of our lives."  Serena - SW19

"Katie is an absolute angel and we really couldn’t have imagined a better birth experience without her. Katie is very knowledgeable, caring and the warmest doula you can find. From the initial preparations to the actual birth, Katie has been extremely helpful throughout with all her advice and expertise. She is very reliable, responsive and always there when needed. Having Katie at the hospital was a total game changer, from the first time she arrived the atmosphere changed significantly and she made us feel calm, relaxed and comfortable. She also knows when to speak up when needed which was very important. I highly recommend Katie as a doula and I hope I can have her with our baby no 2! Katie, thank you for being so amazing and loving, without you our experience wouldn’t have been the same."  Luci & David

"Katie was a wonderful part of our pregnancy and birth journey. We warmed to her straight away over the phone and knew we were in good hands. As well as being so easy to get along with, we were particularly drawn to her because of her extensive experience navigating London hospitals and their procedures as we wanted as natural a birth as possible and did not want to be pushed down a route of unnecessary interventions. In early labour, we felt very supported as we were constantly on the phone with Katie discussing progress and when to go in and how to cope with the mounting surges - so useful for first-time parents who had never experienced this. It turned out that I did want some interventions in the end myself e.g. an epidural and when the time came Katie was amazing at ensuring I received it as fast as possible and flexing our previous birth preferences. Throughout the long birth, she remained an attentive and calm presence, explaining things more fully than the hospital staff at times and going above and beyond by keeping my mum (who wasn't part of the birth team) updated and calming her down when some complications occurred. Katie also ensured my partner could get some rest but bless her she didn't get any! When it came to pushing stage and I was losing my focus Katie really helped me stay motivated and find more strength. We feel forever grateful that Katie helped us bring our gorgeous and healthy baby daughter Zae into the world."  Ece - SW1

"Having Katie as part of our birth was the best decision we could have made! From our initial chat on the phone I knew she would be an incredible birth partner and support. Katie brought such warmth, honesty and humour to the whole process, educating, uplifting and advocating for my partner and I from the start. During the labour itself Katie was an invaluable support, she was a reassuring and compassionate force who guided us through every stage wonderfully, providing my partner with respite and calm, while giving me power and patience! We absolutely would not have had the positive birth experience we did if it wasn’t for her x"  Carys - SE1​

"From the first time I talked to Katie on the phone I just knew she would be the best support during the birth of our first child. Katie can literally give you a virtual hug with her warm voice and funny humour. She is just the warmest and most caring person from the moment you meet her. When she left after our first visit my partner said: “ I feel so much more relaxed about everything now”.  We are both Danish and have no family in London, so we wanted to find a doula that was experienced and confident with the hospitals in London. Katie was an amazing advocate throughout the whole labour and knew exactly what I needed through every stage. Katie was also a very big support for my partner who felt a bit “lost” during some moments. Thank you Katie, for giving me the birth I have always wanted, a natural birth, with just gas and air (which you told the midwife to give me at the exact time I needed it!) Without you we would definitely not have had this amazing magical experience.  I highly recommend Katie if you need an amazing warm doula, who also knows how to speak up when needed!"  Nina - SW10

"Katie was such great support to my husband and I throughout my pregnancy and on the magical day that I gave birth to my daughter. I was very anxious about giving birth, but knew I wanted a birth that was as calm and peaceful as possible. Katie held my hand through the whole experience, she was always on the other side of the phone whenever I was nervous and answered any questions I had. She was an angel on the actual day. She supported me and advocated for me and made sure I had the birth I had dreamed of. My husband and I are so glad we had Katie by our side."  Nawal - SW6

"Katie, we wanted to thank you very much for your help & support during the big day (which was the big night in our case). Thank you so much for coming at the very last minute and for helping us to get the best experience we possibly could during and after labour. Your experience and confidence really helped us feel more relaxed. Thanks to you, I had the birth I have always wanted, natural, with no interventions, just gas and air.  Many thanks for helping us with the breastfeeding at the very beginning of Eva's life. Without you, we would not have had the same birthing experience and for that we are so grateful."  Aurélie - SW18

"I know I have thanked you in person Katie, but I wanted to convey my gratitude to you once more for all the wonderful support you gave me throughout my labour and birth, as well as the many hours you spent with me preparing me for what was to come over video Zoom calls. Being my first pregnancy, I held a lot of fear around anticipating the childbirth experience and on top of that in times of Covid lockdown. After our first session I realised that you were right for me and I felt really comfortable with you. You put my mind at ease, supporting me in my birth decisions and giving me unbiased advice when I needed it most. When my labour finally came you were there with me every step of the way in what seemed like a blur since I was in so much pain but in all that haze I knew I had you by my side. Katie was my rock, providing me with the emotional and physical comfort that I needed during labour, and was advocating for me throughout the labour process. My labour took around 30 hours and after what seemed like forever my little baby girl was born by an emergency C.Section. Katie is a wonderful and warm person, an amazing doula, and I highly recommend her!"  Anna - BR1

"As a solo mum by choice I felt so reassured  having Katie to support me through my pregnancy and birth, especially after a previous loss and during a global pandemic.  She stayed with me in the delivery room for over 24 hours and was there to share the most special moment when my daughter Lola finally arrived safely and into my arms.  She takes the best photos too! Thank you Katie, we couldn't have done it without you".  Louise - SW11

“I had been interested in having a doula and as soon as I spoke to Katie I knew she was right for us. We had a long chat and her warmth and pragmatism really struck me. David and I felt sure that she would be able to navigate the hospital system and be our advocate, and she totally delivered on the day. The antenatal classes beforehand were great to ask questions, and get to know each other. Katie also looked after drawing up a simple birth preferences document. Her loan of the Tens Machine and DVD’s were really helpful, and her contacts with osteopaths, and a breastfeeding lactation specialist was brilliantly practical. On the big day, Katie provided much needed reassurance as I went into labour, helped us get to the hospital at just the right time, and supported my husband and I through the experience, giving encouragement and distractions at just the right moments! Post birth Katie stayed with us until we were settled in a room and baby Luca had latched on. Her support, practical and emotional, was invaluable to us all and I would so recommend her to couples thinking of having a doula. Just do it!!"  Rachel - SW17​

"Katie is a godsend and you should hire her if you want a down to earth, loving, supporter!  My husband and I recently moved to the UK and she helped me navigate the NHS system and be an advocate for the level of care I needed. She also empowered my husband to feel confident in the birth and postpartum process.  Katie is like a bonus mom that I could rely on and coach me through every step of the way. Katie is VERY plugged in with the resources and is always thinking through what you will need before and after birth. She lined up a lactation consultant to come to my house the day after I  got home from the hospital and that was very helpful with my breastfeeding journey.  I can't recommend Katie enough and consider her part of our family now."  Courtney - SW4

"We are so grateful we found Katie and she was able to be a part of the birth of our baby Charlotte.  From the first time I chatted to Katie on the phone, I loved her down to earth manner and sense of humour. Katie was great helping me and my husband in the run up to the birth, preparing us for what would happen at the hospital and what we could do to get ahead of the game. Her antenatal sessions were very well prepared but she was flexible to cover areas that we wanted to focus on - and her birth plan advice was invaluable, including so many hints and tips. For the labour Katie was brilliant and I don't think we would have had such a positive birth experience if we had not had Katie with us. Due to some complications, I ended up having an emergency c section, but Katie supported us the whole way, ensuring we arrived at hospital in time (not too late, or too early), helped us make difficult decisions when we were told we couldn't be in the birth centre, but had to move to the labour ward, helped secure a room in the labour ward, and all the time while rubbing my back during surges! She made sure my husband felt supported, so he could feel confident as a first time birth partner. The support on the phone during early labour and her time at home with us before going into hospital was key, and it would have been a much more stressful experience without her hands-on support (especially for my husband who was having to work through supporting me, dealing with meconium issues and speaking to midwives!) With Katie's support, we were able to ask questions of the medical team and felt we made informed decisions along the way and went into the emergency c section feeling supported and calm. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Katie and have booked her for our second! To us it makes absolute sense to have an experienced doula like Katie at such an important event in our lives (after all, we were both first timers)."  Haylie - SW2

"Engaging Katie as our doula was one of the best decisions that we made during my pregnancy. Katie is experienced and knowledgeable and her warm, understanding nature helped to calm our first-time parenting jitters. Leading up to the birth date, Katie provided us with lots of information and advice, staying in constant contact in the weeks leading up to my due date. She even rushed over in the middle of the night for a false alarm.  However, it was at the hospital that the real magic began. Katie, a true diplomat, was a great favourite among the midwives and instrumental in helping us stick to the birth plan, even amidst pressure for a number of interventions. Meanwhile, Katie took care of every detail so my husband and I could focus on having a baby.  She also massaged, soothed and gently coached me during an 18-hour medication-free birth, allowing my husband to sleep for a few hours.  A few days later, when our daughter had a scary blue episode that sent us back to the hospital for another week, Katie was with us in a flash to lend her support. We now count Katie as a trusted friend and will not hesitate to employ her services the next time around. ​ Margaret - SW1

"Heavily pregnant with a few weeks left in my 2nd pregnancy I found myself needing a doula. I will be eternally grateful my Google search led me to Katie. Prior to meeting Katie, I had held reservations about how it would be having someone I didn’t know with me during such an intense and emotionally charged situation. My first birth had been traumatic and had left me with a fear of giving birth.  As a second timer, I was sure that I didn’t need advice surrounding the actual labour/ birth, just someone to be a voice for me whilst I was in the throws of labour. I was wrong. Katie was able to offer me such invaluable advice and was spot on! I believe she made my experience so much smoother and less stressful. My son decided to arrive 10 days early in the early hours of New Year’s Day! Prior to arriving at the hospital, Katie was immediately there for me and even arrived at the hospital before I got there! She was nothing short of amazing helping me to walk when I found that I couldn’t. The birth was very intense and thanks to Katie’s brilliant preparation prior to this date I had the constant feeling that all was going to be ok. My biggest fear had been that I would need to give birth without any pain relief. Typically due to the speed of labour, it resulted in that having to happen. But because of Katie, I could do what was needed of me in that intense, and for me, scary moment.  She was my voice when I couldn’t find the right words. She gave me the courage I needed and had a calming effect on the whole atmosphere in the room.  I had to have my placenta removed in theatre and where it would usually have stressed me out having to leave my baby, I did not have any cause to be worried as during that time Katie gave my son cuddles and warmth in my absence. For what could have been another traumatic birth story due to the labour itself, I can honestly say that Katie’s influence turned it into a beautiful experience for me that I will be able to treasure.”  Fiona - East Dulwich

"Hiring Katie as our doula is probably one of the best decisions we have ever made. Her presence was kind, calm, and reassuring from the moment we spoke on the phone, until the very last minute. Katie's non-judgemental approach was refreshing in moments of anxiety and stress. She offered her expertise and advice in a very generous way and went beyond her doula duties to support me during doctor appointments and scans at times when things were not looking good. We will always be thankful for her support and expertise, which clearly resulted in a healthy baby, who was born at term, against all predictions and medical recommendations, via natural water birth. Very importantly, after having had a bad experience the first time, Katie's presence was reassuring to my husband.  He felt supported and empowered which allowed him to be the birth partner that I needed and for him to enjoy the whole experience. I can honestly recommend Katie with no reservations and I hope to keep in contact with her as she was a crucial part of one of the most precious moments of our lives."  Luz - SW18

"Katie was lovely. She was a huge support and got us through a long and tricky labour. Without her, I doubt we'd have been able to have the natural birth I wanted. She built a great relationship with the midwives, was so reassuring and was brilliant at massaging my sore back when I needed it most! Both my husband and I are so glad we chose to have a doula and that it was Katie"  Millie - SW16

"I am forever grateful to have had Katie as my doula. She was my rock during an unexpected early labour. It was difficult as my husband had to be away but Katie kept my spirits up and was so supportive, empathetic and reassuring during my whirlwind labour. When I had to be admitted to the hospital early, Katie came as well and stayed with my Mother and I, making us both feel calm and at ease. Katie respected my birth plan and advocated for my very desired and life-changing epidural. We even had some great laughs and conversations post-epidural!  Her thoughtfulness went above and beyond, thank you, Katie, from the bottom of my heart. Sean and I could not have done this without you. I can not recommend Katie enough, she was an absolute blessing!" Jessica - SW9

"I was initially drawn to Katie because of her warm and non-judgmental demeanour and because I sensed that she had a genuine love of supporting women through pregnancy and labour. This proved to be totally the case. During the antenatal visits, Katie made sure that she understood my wishes and mine and my husband's needs and anxieties and provided us with really helpful advice and information about labour and caring for a newborn.  She was absolutely amazing throughout the labour and both my husband and I truly believe that we had the best experience possible because of Katie's guidance and advocacy. As well as being there through every step of the labour, she helped me to breastfeed my son in the first hour of his life and provided some much-needed emotional support after the birth. I will be forever grateful to Katie"  Irene - SW17

"We were unsure of exactly what we wanted from a Doula, we just knew we wanted as much help to make the unpredictable nature of birth run as smoothly as possible. When we met Katie, we felt reassured that she was open to all options for the birth and that she just wanted it to be a positive experience for us both. Katie was great before the birth; answering any questions we had or providing recommendations when we asked. We felt we could ask her anything and it eased our minds. When it came to the birth, Katie kept a cool head and supported us both through a long labour. She dealt with all the hospital staff and explained everything to us as it went along which allowed us both to know I was getting the best care possible. This was invaluable to us, it allowed us both to relax a bit.  My husband and I both agree that it was down to Katie that we ended up with the best experience possible. When our daughter finally arrived, Katie helped with breastfeeding straight away and took the most precious photos of the three of us that I will cherish forever. We are so grateful to Katie for everything she did to help us bring our baby into the world, and I would recommend her to anyone."  Charlotte - SW12

"I am so glad we had Katie as our doula.  Having her there from before going into hospital till after our baby was born, made all the difference.  In the middle of unfamiliar staff, shift changes etc., the encouragement, reassurance and continuity were really helpful.  Katie was familiar already with the hospital's ways of working, and she was exactly the sort of advocate for me that I would have wanted to be myself if I hadn't been in the middle of having a baby.  It meant I could concentrate on the labour, and even when things got a bit complicated, I felt listened to and safe."  Marie-Elise - SW6

“With the endless conflicting advice out there of what to do, what not to do - pre and post-birth - it was such a relief to have found a Doula, like Katie, that we could trust implicitly and that was super friendly without being overbearing. She was at the ready at a moment's notice and faded into the background during those special moments without the need to be asked.  My husband had been reluctant for us to get a doula but will now not stop ranting and raving about Katie and how she provided invaluable additional hands-on support on the run-up and during the birth. During the birth, surprises did arise and Katie was there to ensure that we were always medically informed and she was a constant calming and reassuring presence to both of us.  Katie - you’re a superstar and you helped make our special occasion even more special. We can’t thank you enough."  Claire - SW18

"The best decision I ever made was to have Katie as my doula. I have always had a fear of giving birth and from our very first meeting Katie was so empathetic and supportive that we instantly connected -I knew right then she was the perfect person for me and my husband. My labour had its complications and therefore I didn’t get to have the natural birth I had hoped for but with Katie by my side, she made me feel in control of what was going on, well-informed, supported and relaxed that without her I honestly don’t know how I would have got through it. If you are thinking of hiring a doula I can 100% recommend Katie. And from my sincere heart to you Katie, thank you for being my rock and superstar throughout the days and nights I was in the hospital being by my side and never leaving it. You turned around what could have been a traumatic experience into a positive one filled with lovely chats and even some laughs through the difficult patches! I am forever grateful."  Yaz - SW17

"Having our first child so far away from family and friends in New Zealand, in an unfamiliar health system, was quite daunting for us.  Which is why we looked into getting a doula.  Katie was great - always available for any queries we had, she has a wealth of knowledge on everything, from what to expect at the hospital, as well as the birth itself.  We had planned a natural water birth but when that plan changed to a C Section, Katie worked with us to find alternative ways to support us.  Her help in the hours, days and weeks after the birth of our daughter was invaluable.  We had a relatively stress-free pregnancy and birth, and I think a large part of that was achieved by knowing I always had Katie to call on for advice and give me peace of mind in what is generally an anxious time."  Sarah - SW16

"It meant the most enormous amount to both of us to have Katie helping at our son's birth and found her support and kindness during the process - before, during and after the birth, to be incredibly invaluable.  The birth we had was in many respects far from ideal, but we viewed it as a very positive experience and strongly believe this is due to her amazing reassuring, calming and supportive presence.  We are both so hugely grateful to her for making that day so special for us both.  Following the birth, Katie stayed in very close touch and provided words of comfort and reassurance in some difficult moments which meant a huge amount.  We cannot recommend Katie highly enough - she is absolutely wonderful”   Rachel - SE22

"Katie was a wonderful birth partner and she played a vital role in our birth experience being such a positive one.  As soon as I spoke to Katie I felt that she was warm, supportive and committed to helping my husband and I have the birth we wanted.  The pre-birth visits were extremely useful with Katie sharing lots of practical advice over and above the things we learned on our NCT course.  During our extremely long labour, Katie was absolutely brilliant, staying with me throughout and giving my husband a chance to get some rest.  She wasn't fazed by the changes I made to the birth plan.  She was reassuring, calm and positive and worked really well alongside the midwives.  I was glad we had her by our side.  When our baby finally arrived, the photos and videos that Katie took were some of our most precious mementoes.  Katie's support didn't end with the birth - she visited us several times afterwards to make sure that we were all doing well and organised appointments for us with a lactation consultant.  She did everything possible to ensure that our daughter's arrival was an incredible  experience and I would recommend her as a fantastic doula.”  Natasha - SE27

"The birth of my first baby had not gone all that smoothly and so I was determined that the birth of my second would be different.  Working with Katie was a big part of making sure that happened.  I wanted someone with me who could manage us; help get us to the hospital at the right time, and know who to speak to make sure our birth plan was followed, but also someone who would hold my hand, massage my back (she has healing hands!) & also someone who could help support my husband so he felt 100% part of the process too.  Katie was amazing throughout - from coming with me to the hospital for an unexpected scan & helping with my toddler to helping glean information from the doula community on technicalities of my VBAC birth plan, to keeping my spirits up when I was 10 days overdue and worried about induction, to turning up in a black cab at just the right time to whisk us to the hospital once labour started.  She is a great mix of kind, caring and capable as well as being easy to talk to and always for a cup of tea and a gossip.  Having Katie with us for the birth meant I could 100% focus on the task at hand and we had a lovely baby girl without complications.  I couldn't recommend her more highly”  Laura - SW6

“Katie came to us as a recommendation from another Doula who no longer acts as a birthing partner. From the moment Katie first came to meet with us at our flat we felt totally at ease in her company & were fully reassured that she would make a great birthing partner. As first-time parents, Katie was able to answer all the questions put to her & offer lots of advice & keep us calm in the lead-up to the birth. She came to visit on two Sunday afternoons & offered all sorts of prenatal advice. We ended up having an elective caesarean for medical reasons which was decided 10 days before the birth. Katie was very calm & supportive of our decision & again was fleet of foot in offering support from a totally different perspective & being entirely non-judgemental & fully supportive of any decisions we made. On the day of the birth, Katie was with us offering humour & comfort throughout the nervous wait for our turn in the operating theatre. Post-birth Katie could not have been more helpful offering support for breastfeeding & staying with me throughout the first night whilst my husband was able to get some rest at home. Katie also made a surprise follow-up visit to our home to see how we were all getting on & to again offer some more useful hints & tips. We could not recommend Katie's services enough & we were delighted that she was able to share such a special time with us”  Charlotte & James - SW6 “I immediately felt at ease with Katie as soon as I met her and knew she would be an invaluable part of my birth experience. Her positive and calming demeanour made a world of difference, especially as the birth was more complicated. She was there for most of my very long labour and remained the calm and level-headed one for both my partner and I to lean on. She knew just what to say and how to help me cope with the whole experience, giving me a sense of security I couldn't have done without! Can't recommend her enough!”  Sarah - NW1

"My decision to have a Doula present at the birth of my first child was a way of helping me manage my anxiety & ensure that my husband & I were able to have the best possible birth experience. I wasn't quite sure how having Katie present at the birth would play out on the day - but come D-day, she was incredible! Needless to say, my birth plan didn’t quite go how I hoped it would, but Katie did everything she could in challenging circumstances to keep me calm & focused. She provided much-needed support to my husband as the labour progressed & acted as a professional advocate on my behalf when dealing with the medical staff. While baby no.2 is a little way away, I am absolutely certain I would want Katie to act as my birthing partner again.”  Amie - N17

"Katie was a very kind, caring, and friendly lady. She gave me a lot of support and gained my trust in her. She felt like a friend after my first meeting with her. I was her first birth. I believe she was meant to do this job as she was so friendly and helpful."  Caroline - SE11

"Katie was enthusiastic, supportive and helpful throughout. She considered our specific needs and desires and worked hard in applying all her experience and knowledge in helping us throughout birth, even when we encountered difficulties."  Lisa - SW9

"It was so lovely to have you with us during my home birth. Thanks to you my child's birth was a wonderful experience. You will always be a part of our family and we wish you all the best."  Basia - SW15

"Katie was flexible and reliable, kind and friendly. She was happy to sit and chat, but also very enthusiastic to help practically in any way. As it happened I didn't need much help but I could tell she would have done so much more had it been required."  Helen - SW11

"Katie was an invaluable and integral part of my birthing experience. I felt I could place my trust in her to have my best interests at heart and specific wishes conveyed at the hospital and her strong, yet caring nature enabled me to relax and concentrate on my labour. Meeting with her twice before meant that we created an understanding and rapport and the times that we met after were a wonderfully refreshing way of helping to release the pre-labour stress and wonder in what we had achieved. I would recommend Katie to anyone who wishes to have a Doula at their birth. She is so flexible and adaptable in her approach to each individual birth that you feel she just instinctively knows what you need."  Charlie - SW19

"We chose Katie as our Birth and Postnatal Doula. We had a wonderful experience with her before, during and after the birth. Katie was absolutely irreplaceable. Katie was a great comfort for my husband, she managed to keep him calm when needed. After the birth, he felt more comfortable going back to work knowing that Katie was home with me. I was looking for someone knowledgeable, calm, warm and understanding to help me through this emotional period in my life, and Katie was all that! My husband feels that hiring Katie as our Birth and Postnatal Doula was the best decision ever, and we feel very lucky that Katie's personality was so much in tune with what we needed."  Daria - SW18

"After a lot of discussion with my husband over whether to have a Doula, we decided to go ahead and I'm so glad we did. I have a rare medical condition and Katie wasted no time researching it, contacting the relevant teams at St Thomas's and arranging a meeting with the head midwife, all of which made a huge difference to the care I received at the hospital and my post-natal experience. She provided invaluable support and respite for me and my husband before and during a long labour and helpful pre and post-appointments. I'd definitely recommend Katie to friends and family who are expecting."  Jane - SW11

"Katie has a wonderful ability to develop a close relationship quickly, as she did with both me and my husband through our pre-birth meetings, and so we were confident we could rely on her. Katie's presence during labour and our son's birth proved to be invaluable, not least given the understaffing of the hospital! Katie sat with me through the night, helping me to remember Hypnobirthing relaxation techniques that I had been learning, and allowing my husband time to sleep for a while. Katie was also an excellent intermediary between us and the hospital staff, ensuring they knew our birth plan wishes, resulting in a very positive birthing experience for us all. It was also good to have the debriefing sessions after the birth, not least to be reminded of some of the key moments of the labour and birth. We would heartily recommend Katie to anyone considering having a Doula."  Judith - SE24

"Katie was invaluable during my birthing experience and we don't know what we would have done without her! Her support, experience and reassurance made the whole process more bearable, especially when we had problems at the hospital, being firm and making sure hospital staff knew what we needed. Before the birth Katie was also kind, friendly and open to what we wanted in terms of our birthing plan, rather than pushing any "personal preferences", likes or dislikes. We would certainly recommend Katie to anyone considering hiring a Doula and hopefully will hire her again when we think about the next one!"  Marina - SW18

"Dear Katie, Thank you again for your great support during my pregnancy and my quick delivery of our beautiful girl Chloe. You were so important during my 5 intensive hours. I felt strong and very secure with you by my side. What a special day!"  Kristina - SW11

"Katie was recommended to me by a friend's doula to help me with the arrival of my little girl.  Not having my family nearby made a doula even more important.  Knowing when the time came I had someone experienced to call was so reassuring.  The range of information and sessions with Katie before gave me such confidence.  Katie has a very calming effect on babies which was a godsend when I got home and needed help in those first few days.”  Cara - SE23

"Katie, I am so lucky to have had you as my birth doula! You were my epidural!  Katie is very experienced, enthusiastic, confident and has great communication skills. She really respected my culture hence I Highly recommend Katie to all pregnant women! Thank you for being part of my 'important once-in-a-lifetime journey, it was exactly what I needed!"  Jessica - SW9