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Postnatal (Mentored)
Lives in: Hook RG27
Local info and availability:
I live in the corner of North Hampshire so cover parts of Hampshire, Surrey and Berkshire including: Hook, Basingstoke, Hartley Wintney, Odiham, Alton, Fleet, Farnborough, Frimley, Farnham, Camberley, Yateley, Wokingham
Other services:
Antenatal classes covering birth and the postnatal period
How to contact Laura:
Use the Contact form below or:
https://www.laurapowellbirthandbaby.co.uk/
laura@laurapowellbirthandbaby.co.uk
07864679416
About Me
Hi, I’m Laura, a postnatal doula and antenatal teacher based in Hook, Hampshire. I have been teaching in the birth and baby world for a couple of years now. I have four boys and, with my youngest starting school this year, I have more time to myself to start working with families as a postnatal doula.
The birth of my eldest son was a massive shock, despite having had a lot of experience of babies beforehand with much younger siblings and babies of friends. I can remember sitting in the kitchen with this tiny baby in a car seat when we got back from hospital and thinking ‘what now?!’. The weight of responsibility and the relentless nature of those early days with a baby was a lot to cope with – as your postnatal doula I can be there, with you, next to you, supporting you, during those intense early days and weeks.
I wasn’t aware that having a postnatal doula was an option when I had my boys but I believe having one would have helped me hugely – first time round particularly with reassurance and emotional support, for my other births with more practical support as we settled into life with a tiny baby, toddlers and older children.
I will be a calm, knowledgeable presence during this time, able to support you emotionally, practically and with information as you ease your way into parenthood and your confidence grows. Each visit will look different depending on what you need on a given day, maybe starting with a hot cup of tea and a chance to download what has been happening since we last met or anything that is particularly worrying or challenging you. I can look after baby while you rest or shower, play with older siblings to give you a chance for a quiet feed, sort out the dishwasher or the washing, prepare some food.
If time allows we can also meet antenatally to start planning for the postnatal period. There is a lot more conversation about preparing for birth and considering your birth preferences beforehand but very few of us give much thought to planning for life after birth. It can really help to think before birth about what the postnatal period might look like and what can be put in place to help during that time. Meeting antenatally also gives me a chance to get to know other children or pets, and where the teabags live!
Please get in contact if you think I might be able to help you, we can have a chat and go from there.