In the words of my clients:

"Laura was our rock. She filled me with confidence and power. There were times when I felt like giving up, and she was right there ready to shower me with positivity, relaxation techniques, and forward thoughts toward the end goal. She is a treasure!" - S G-J, mother "By far the best decision I made for this birth. Laura was utterly ‘there’ for me from the most practical details to the most spiritual and emotional elements. Her calm reassuring presence, understanding and friendship were exactly what I needed." - MP, mother (and midwife) "Laura provided incredible support and was very helpful and knowledgeable. Her presence was comforting and empowered me during the natural delivery [of our child]. Her level of commitment and support ​is hard to put into words." - DR, father "I am so glad that we hired Laura as our doula. Throughout my pregnancy, surgery, and postnatal care I felt extremely supported and cared for. I recommend her to anyone. I cannot sing her praises enough." - MD, mother "I am writing to tell you about the life changing experience I had with Laura. Though I came very close to having a c-section I ended up having a vaginal birth. I can honestly say that without Laura this would not have been possible. [This] was literally the best experience of my life." - AE, mother "I found Laura's presence to be invaluable. Not only did I feel that the entire birth experience was more positive with Laura there, but I felt that I was able to be a better birth partner to my wife." - MD, father "Laura is a wonderful doula, I am so thankful that we had her. Laura has a great personality for birth work – calm, confident, encouraging, and creative. Any family would be lucky to have her by their side." - AL, mother (and midwife) "Your assistance in the birth of our daughter is immeasurable. I cannot express enough the Love, Respect and Gratitude I have for all your help with my family. Thank you!" - TE, father "Words can't describe how thankful my heart is. You were such an amazing presence for me. ​You have such a gift and I wish every woman could experience you with them. We will always remember this special gift you have given us." - JM, mother

Hello!

I'm Laura: a doula, author and mother of four living in Oxford. I help people welcome a new child into the world feeling peaceful, confident and well-informed. Since attending my first birth in 2005, I've supported scores of families in the UK and around the world. I have attended births in homes, birth centres and hospitals, from planned C-sections to home water births. My clients call me calming, understanding, intuitive and positive. My experience as a mother and a doula is that birth is a profound spiritual and emotional experience - not just a physical one. This is a theme running throughout my life, springing from my faith as an Eastern Orthodox Christian, explored in my Oxford MA in Theology and Philosophy, and expressed in my book Fertile Ground: A Pilgrimage Through Pregnancy (Ancient Faith Publishing). I've worked with people in all sorts of life situations:

• those having babies later in life
• those without a partner present
• those hypnobirthing
• those intending to VBAC
• those birthing outside their home culture
• those birthing after infertility or loss
• those with mental health challenges
• those birthing after trauma
• and those whose babies are presenting breech

I'd be glad to work with you, too - whatever your own situation. Please contact me here or through my website. I'm looking forward to getting to know you!