Hi

I’m Kirstie, a recognised birth and postnatal doula specialising in trauma and navigating the perinatal period with your mental health in tact. I have a wonderful daughter who is 7 years old and a 15 year old stepson. I’m married to Steve and we all live in Ongar, Essex. 

I am a birth doula mentor for Doula UK, as well as being part of the Doula UK leadership team, as Partnership Coordinator, plus the Doula UK area rep for Essex. I enjoy networking and building relationships with doulas in my local area, further afield and building relationships with other perinatal services across the UK. I am the former Chair for Mid & South Essex Maternity & Neonatal Voices Partnership, because of this I have good understanding of the local maternity service. I am passionate about your voice being heard, after all the maternity service is here for you, so your opinions and experiences are essential. I have a special interest in perinatal mental health and am working towards becoming a counsellor and mental health therapist in this area.

I’m passionate about all thing’s pregnancy, birth and baby related, but also about sharing my knowledge to ensure women and people feel powerful on their journey to becoming parents. You have choices in the world of maternity care, after all, it’s your body and your baby! I will support you in any way I can, so that you feel confident in making your own informed decisions. I can offer evidence based research to help you make these decisions, that are unique to your family. I won’t judge your choices or tell you what to do, I will simply provide you with the facts.

I’d love to hear from you and we can have an informal chat on the phone or meet for a cup of tea. There’s no pressure to book.

Below is just a snippet of the services I can offer; I will tailor a bespoke service to your needs.

Trauma Birth Doula (previous birth trauma or previous trauma that’s affecting your pregnancy and birth, this could even be from childhood trauma):

My aim is to make you feel safe, supported, loved and powerful to achieve your best birth possible, for you to take away happy memories of such a special day.

You will receive my physical, emotional and practical support before birth, during birth and afterwards until you are comfortable for me to leave. During the labour and birth, you will have access to my birth pool, Elle TENS machines, aromatherapy kit, birth & peanut balls, and to the contents of my famous doula bag! You won’t need to pay for these items separately.

I can support any birth type if you’ve suffered previous abuse, harm or adverse situations e.g. hospital, home, birth centre, water, active birth, VBAC, caesarean birth, surrogacy, birth after loss, birth for same sex couples, physiological births, birth after trauma and birth using any pain relief options that you desire. I will support your birth partner (if you have one) and will work alongside your midwife and doctors. It’s in everyone’s best interests to get along and work together to achieve the desired outcome of a positive birth experience. I will hold your hand, mop your brow, bring you drinks and snacks but I can also advise on optimal foetal positioning, how to sustain energy, active birth positions, breathing techniques for the various stages, offer suggestions for labour progression, biomechanics techniques, I can support you through surges (contractions), offer affirmations, visualisations and explain what’s happening. I will be there for anything you need and to remind you that you are an amazing, strong and powerful person who can do this!

As I’m a pregnancy yoga teacher I talk a lot about active birthing. Did you know that giving birth in an upright position allows your pelvis to open up 30% more! We can use a birth ball, lots of props, move around and use gravity to aid the birth of your baby if appropriate. We can even get your birth partner involved; nobody is ever excluded.

Trauma Postnatal Doula:

It can be a daunting time, particularly if you’ve suffered previous harm or trauma, so I can be there from day one if needed, or at any point afterwards until you feel you no longer need my support.

I will support your transition into parenthood in any way I can. I want you to feel you have all the support you need; you will grow in confidence day by day.

I can support you with physical tasks, be a great listener, share practical knowledge and support you emotionally. My training as a counsellor can be really beneficial to you during this time. I can help with light household chores, cook certain meals, offer information on health (eating, self-care, exercise), look after older children so you can focus on the new baby, I can take care of the baby whilst you sleep or have a shower, I can help you establish feeding (breast or formula), I can help with setting routines or work with you if you prefer a baby led approach, I can show you how to change a nappy, make up a bottle and what to dress your baby in for bed in certain weather conditions and much more. I’ll even walk your dog if that helps!

I am certified with FEDANT (Federation of antenatal educators) and have insurance for my doula services.

The right fit:
I’m happy to work with most people, but I do understand everyone is different. If we meet and I think there is another doula who will be better suited to your needs please don’t be offended if I recommend them. I have your best interest at heart and as the relationship with your doula is such a personal one it’s best to find the right fit.

Relevant training:

• Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling (CPCAB/BACP) to qualify 2026
• Birth and Postnatal Doula with Birth Bliss Academy
• Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Domestic Violence (NCFE CACHE)
• Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies (CPCAB)
• Yoga for Trauma, Anxiety and Depression, including Yoga Nidra with Anjali Yoga
• Hypnobirthing Teacher certificate with KGHypnobirthing
• Moxibustion for Breech Presentation with Expectancy
• TBR 3 Step Rewind for Perinatal and birth trauma with TBR College
• BTEC National Diploma in Childhood Studies
• Breastfeeding Peer Supporter for Barnardo’s Virgin Care
• Biomechanics for Birth with Molly O’Brien at Optimal Birth
• EDEXCEL level 2 & 3 BTEC certificates in life coaching – specialising in women’s health
• Aromatherapy for Childbirth (RCM accredited)
• Holistic Sleep Coach Certificate with Lyndsey Hookway
• Pregnancy, Postnatal, Mother & Baby Yoga with Sally Parks Yoga (85 hours)
• Yoga teacher training with Yoga Teacher Training Essex (200 hours)
• Advanced Postnatal Yoga Teacher Training with Sally Parks Yoga (25 hours)
• Hot Yoga Teacher Training with 121 Urban Hot Yoga
• Yoga & Mindfulness for Pregnancy & Birth with Nadia Raafat (100 hours)
• Antenatal and Birth Preparation Workshop with Birth Bliss Academy
• Waterbirth during Covid19 – Keeping midwives, mothers & babies’ safe certificate by Dianne Garland.
• Beyond Bea Training in Baby Loss
• Anatomy and Physiology Certificate for Exercise Professionals
• NCFE CACHE Level 2 Certificate in Mental Health First Aid
• Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE’s) and Early Trauma Certificate
• Understanding the Infant Microbiome Certificate
• Full DBS check and certificate
• Safeguarding Children level 2 Certificate Anxiety – Helping Children to Cope Certificate
• Addressing Postnatal Depression as a Health Care Professional Certificate
• Domestic Violence & Abuse (DVA): Identifying & responding to DVA in Pregnancy, Birth & Beyond.

I regularly attend industry networking events and keep up to date with current evidence based practices.

I look forward to hearing from you x