Leila Gardiner

About Me

Hi, many congratulations. I am delighted to be offering virtual  and in person birth doula support ( locally when restrictions permit). I am also able to offer access fund support at present.

I’m Leila Gardiner, I have worked as a pregnancy and fertility Sonographer for the past 17 years.  I founded Inspiring Births after I became a certified hypnobirthing childbirth educator 12 years ago. In 2017 I trained as a birth and postnatal doula and offer this service to lovely local families in  Surrey, Sussex and South West London.  I am bilingual, speaking both English and fluent Persian/Farsi as my mother tongue.  Before children I took the plunge and  worked in Saudi Arabia in my medical work at the King Faisal hospital in Riyadh . I  currently  work  in the private medical sector, and have previously worked at the Wellington hospital,  and  at Harley Street for a number of years. I am now settled in Surrey for both work and family. 

Becoming a mother has taught me how profoundly important it is to have accurate science based information, and loving support during the joyful and often challenging journey of pregnancy and parenting. The importance of being connected to community of strong women, who weave a supportive web to carry us through the hard times, and help us rise up stronger than before simply cannot be over-estimated, but many of us no longer have immediate access to this network of family and extended family.

Becoming a Doula

After a traumatic first birth, without any practical or emotional tools I could draw upon throughout my pregnancy or labour, I had a second, healing and successful home hypnobirth with my own wonderful doula support.  My second birth was one of my proudest and most joyful achievements and this inspired me to set up Inspiring Births so I could offer warm and meaningful support to other Mums-to-be.
I am a qualified Psychotherapist, life and fertility coach. I have been running my Inspiring Births hypnobirthing practice since 2008 and I’ve successfully run hypnobirthing workshops for the past 12 years. Prior to that, I worked  in the NHS as a Radiographer and Sonographer. I  currently practice Obstetrics and Gynaecology ultrasound in the private sector on a part time self employed basis . Now that my boys are a little older, I am delighted to be able to offer one to birth and postnatal doula support to other Mums-to-be. This is both a great joy and and privilege.

I was very fortunate to grow up with some amazingly supportive strong women and role models. My incredibly nourishing maternal Grandmother, who was from a country and culture that valued motherhood to such a high level, planted the seed of caring and support in me and encouraged my passion to support new mums.
I offer one-to-one support and education to empower and assist you and will accompany you and your family through this significant moment in your lives, increasing your confidence and knowledge for the journey ahead.

Birth Doula services

A birth doula is someone that you personally choose to accompany throughout your birth, and offers you support through the birth process. It is obviously important that you feel comfortable with your doula from the outset and I am happy to speak to you over the phone, via Zoom or Skype or face-to-face, to build a rapport and ensure that you and I are clear about your wishes for your birth.

Postnatal Doula services

Doulas can be likened to fairy godmothers, mothering the mother and providing guidance and compassionate support during the transition from pregnancy to motherhood/parenthood and following the birth of any additional children.
I strive to fulfil the role that extended family would have done in the past. This support is often unavailable now, as many family members live remotely from one another. Nurturing the mother supports her to be able to nurture her own offspring.
Doulas provide practical and emotional support as well as information. They are able to refer families to relevant resources and professionals to enable them to find solutions and make decisions that are right for them. Doulas do not provide clinical care or advice (even if qualified in a clinical role). The purpose of a doula is to empower women and families to care for themselves. The assistance provided is flexible and is determined solely by the needs of the mother and baby.

Postnatal doulas often work with a family for 6-8 weeks or more. I can offer a bespoke tailor made initial 20 hour early days package 

Birth Doula packages

Working with you and your partner as a birth doula, my goal is to empower through education, confidence and trust in your body, mind and baby. I can also add on hypnobirthing skills if you’re interested in this unique method of relaxed, childbirth education, enhanced by self-hypnosis techniques.
I will be on-call 24/7 from 38 weeks until the day or night of your labour and birthing when I will be at your side throughout your labour, supporting you and your partner. I’ll also ensure your birthing wishes are followed where medically advisable.
I will also arrange a postnatal follow-up visit with you and your partner after your baby is born.

If you would like both birth and postnatal doula support, I have a package which gives you the assurance of  both hours of postnatal doula care, and  birth.

I’d be delighted  to hear from you, to answer any questions you may have or to arrange an initial chat or meet for coffee. Please feel free to contact me anytime via the contact details above.

Every best wish for happy birthing days,
Leila x

Testimonials

“So we’d like to thank you for all your help and the techniques you taught us. I wish I could go back and have the birth again! I’m sure there will be plenty of tough days and nights ahead but I’m hoping that we can continue to use the tools we have learned to stay as calm as we can!”

Laura, Mike and baby Finlay

“I had a hypnobirthing course with Leila Gardiner when I gave birth to my first and this time did a relaxation evening with Leila and read lots of Leila’s affirmations and other home birth stories she had sent me which really focused my mind on visualising the birth that I hoped for! ”

Lora, Jake and baby Indy

“I was so proud to have been able to achieve what I did especially given an extra intense labour. My husband was my greatest supporter and I couldn’t have done it without him. Hypnobirthing gave me a greater awareness of what my body was actually doing and the breathe gives you control and courage to believe you really can achieve the birth you want whatever the circumstances.”

Jessica and baby Heidi

“Thank you so much for all your help and support on the run up to Sofia’s birth. I don’t think I would have had such a positive and empowering birth experience had it not been for the techniques I learned from you.”

Michelle, Chris and baby Sofia

“As a doctor, I carry the weight of experience with me everyday. During my own pregnancy, this became a difficult burden to bear. I was faced with a catalogue of memories of all the times things didn’t go right for my patients – after all, why else would I have even been there? I felt overwhelmed and daunted by the prospect of childbirth.

A chance meeting with Leila changed my entire pregnancy. She is an ocean of calm, a voice I could trust and has a wealth of expertise. She understood the importance of the mind body connection and gave me the tools to approach pregnancy and childbirth without fear. Importantly for me, she had a balanced view towards medicine and intervention as well.

“I never imagined I’d enjoy being pregnant, but somehow I really did! The regular trips to her beautiful home nestled in the countryside were a weekend treat I looked forward to with my husband. We’d leave feeling closer to each other, connected to our baby and excited about the future ahead. Her meditations undoubtedly helped me sleep – incredibly I slept a solid 8 hours a night, right through until I gave birth and I have Leila to thank for that! I had incredible amounts of energy and was walking 10k well into my third trimester and I am certain it was down to the breathing techniques she taught And as for the birth, her techniques allowed me to progress through active labour with strange calm (!) and without panic, particularly when things stopped going to plan.

The skills Leila teaches are tools for life and are transferrable for day to day use too. Highly recommended! ”

First time mum and London GP Farhana