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Birth (Mentored)
Lives in: Derbyshire DE72
Local info and availability:
Derby, Derbyshire, Burton, Long Eaton
Other services:
How to contact Lauren:
Use the Contact form below or:
lauren.walters92@hotmail.co.uk
07891677591
About Me
Hello and thank you for visiting my profile. I completed my Doula preparation course for birth and post-natal work in May 2021, and am currently being mentored by Katy Hemus of ‘Every Birth Matters’. My first experience of birth was when I was nineteen years old and the only birth partner for a friend. She had an arranged home birth, but her midwives and the paramedics were delayed by bad weather, so, for the majority of her labour, it was just the two of us. Being ‘in the deep end’ in this way and at a young age ignited a passion in me to support women, that is stronger than ever today. Later, I worked as a Healthcare Assistant at the Royal Derby Hospital, moving around the hospital but working for the most part on the Gynaecology wards, Labour ward, Labour theatre, NICU and Children’s wards. This work gave me an insight as to how the hospital environment works and how it supports women during pregnancy and labour as well as how I can work in a professional manner to support a woman in labour. I was able to see what was working effectively to make women feel safe and supported, and equally, what wasn’t. Having the privilege to work in this environment not only gave me practical experience and insight into the medical side of birth, but it also started me thinking about what wasn’t medical about birth and how women might be better supported outside of the NHS. Contrary to the rest of the hospital, the women in these wards were not usually ill, they were having babies. The atmosphere was completely different; a mixed bag of anticipation, excitement and anxiety. The way we work with those who are ill and those who are pregnant should be rather different (unless the pregnant person becomes ill or has a pre-existing medical condition) and I noticed that this is beginning to be the case in hospitals, with Birth Centres becoming more and more common. I wanted to be part of this ever-growing movement of putting women and their choices in the centre so that it informs how we work with and support these women, it was this line of thought that encouraged me to apply start Doula training in 2020. Aside from this role, I have also worked as a Nursery Nurse, an English Teacher and as a private Carer for clients with disabilities, which has allowed me to work with infants, children and adults of all ages in very person-centred and intimate roles, highlighting to me the essential need for consistent respect, privacy and dignity to upheld at all times for all those I work with. I am also currently three years in to training to be a counsellor, once I am qualified, I hope to use this skill in tandem with my Doula training to support women with new or pre-existing mental health issues throughout their pregnancy. I feel that mental health support is vital for any pregnant person, but those with a diagnosed condition may need extra care, compassion and consistent support. My philosophy is to advocate for women to feel empowered to make informed choices that feel right for them, to feel supported in making these choices and to feel secure in their own bodies. As I have a history as an educator, I am an advocate for women’s education when it comes to pregnancy and birth and the choices that come with it. I understand that there is so much information out there (and not all accurate) that this can be a difficult task. Therefore, as a Doula I hope to bridge the gap between women and the information they need that is relevant to them. This can help with women that feel overwhelmed by doing research or are conscious of reading misinformation or reading something that they didn’t want to know. In my role as a Doula, I will cater to the needs of my client; I will offer physical, emotional, informational and practical support as much or as little as that individual needs. Although we all came into the world this way, births are in a way like fingerprints; we all have them, but they are all unique and should be treated as such.