Laura Hayward White

About Me

Since I was young, despite the diversity of my working environments, they have all evolved around caring for, and working alongside, people from all different walks of life. This has included being a nanny and working in customer-led environments in entertainment, retail and farming.  In 1999, I created my own massage company, Fingers and Thumbs Massage www.fingersandthumbsmassage.com
For me, becoming a Doula is an honour and a dream, and I feel a natural progression of my career as a holistic massage therapist.  Since completing my pregnancy massage course in 2002, I have had a desire to be able to truly accompany mothers on the whole of their birthing journey.  By working with a mother and offering her a continuous sense of support, skill and understanding; I hope to help her develop and discover the inner confidence, power and strength she has to carry her through the birthing process and into motherhood.  This also involves working with her partner, if appropriate, through teaching and discussion encourage them to communicate and support each other through pregnancy and birth. Working as a unit, I hope to offer them ways in which they can physically and emotionally support the growth of their new family.  My aim is simple: To have a healthy, happy Mother and Baby at the end of this journey.  How? Through a loving, supported, informed and chosen route – whatever that may be at the time.
My services:
Birth Doula Service: 24hr On-call from 38 – 42weeks; 2 Ante-Natal visits; including discussion of desired birth plan, meeting of other birth support persons, labour positions and massage techniques, antenatal & postnatal massage for Mum if required; 2 Post-Natal visits; including debrief, birth discussion and feeding support.  Fees from £1300 include all travel expenses.  Additional visits are available at an extra cost of £25 per hour and massage treatments for Mum and family are also available at a reduced rate of £95 per session (normally £120).
Postnatal Service – My role as Doula; is one of support, emotional and physical, to the Mother, Partner and Baby during the early postpartum period of parenting.  I am happy to participate in light chores around the house if necessary and to cook family meals under the guidance and financial budget supplied by the Parents, I will also run errands within reason but it is important to understand that a Doula is not a Housekeeper!  I will demonstrate bathing techniques and Baby Massage if required, and will support feeding and sleeping choices.  I can offer support and expert referrals if required for breastfeeding.  I am happy to look after Baby or other siblings while Mother rests or has some ‘Me Time’ but my role is not primarily as a Nanny.
I will give my time to listen to any concerns, fears or thoughts that you and your Partner will encounter during this journey into parenthood and as a Doula, I will work at all times with my best intentions; holding the bonding between mother and baby and well-being of the family unit foremost.  I offer 24 hour phone support to all my clients.
As I am also a qualified Massage therapist; we can use my skills to de-stress, relax and relieve, if appropriate.  Extra massage sessions can be booked at an preferential rates for all family members.
Fees from £27.50 per hour plus travel expenses.

Doula/Pregnancy courses: Massage in Pregnancy and Labour part 1 – Well Mother Bristol Massage in Pregnancy and Labour part 2 – WMB Pelvic Pain Management Workshop – WMB Postnatal Depression Workshop – Nurturing Project The State of the Art Breastfeeding seminar – Nurturing Project Breastfeeding with Jack Newman seminar – Nurturing Birth Fathers To Be Study day by Patrick Houser Massage in Pregnancy – Middlesex School Complementary Medicine Baby Massage Instructor – MSCM Holistic Massage.

I am currently training in BA3 Step Rewind with Birthingawareness.com

Training: Anatomy & Physiology – ITEC Holistic Massage – Current First aid certificate. Body Realignment Diploma with Body in Harmony includes Sharon Wheeler’s fascinating and effective Scarwork course. www.bodyinharmony.org.uk  I am now also qualified as a TMJ practitioner which focuses on Jaw related issues.   Our Jaw has a strong relationship with our Pelvis so is often effected during pregnancy and postnatal recovery.

I have also attended a breastfeeding workshop (run by Pam Lacey of Early Nurture); on how to support new mothers with normal breastfeeding. An Antenatal course at the Chelsea & Westminster hospital and their Birthing Class.  A Hypno Birthing Course run by Julie Alexander
I have had the opportunity to attend births at East Surrey Hospital, Epsom, Queen Charlotte’s, St George’s, Whipps Cross and St Thomas’s in their Birth Centre using the birth pool facilities, and in their delivery suites, and have attended one home birth. I’ve worked with Gas & Air, Pethidine and Epidurals, so have been able to experience and learn about both these environments and choices of pain-relief.  I have also attended a clients’ Hypno Birthing Course, so was able to help implement and support the principles of this method of birthing.
In my role as a postnatal doula, I have worked with integrating baby into a sibling environment, supported a new mother during postnatal depression and helped mothers cope with the after effects of Cesarean section.