My name is Leslie, originally from the States but I've called Belfast home since 1998. I'm a Doula UK recognised birth doula, supporting families across Northern Ireland. Having my kids completely changed my life and ultimately started me on this path to birth work, and I wouldn't change it for the world!

The road to motherhood was difficult - my first baby, Joshua, was stillborn at 41 weeks and it turned my whole world upside down. I then had 2 very healthy, but extremely anxious rainbow pregnancies (Abigail and Maya, now healthy and happy teenagers!), and my experience deepened my appreciation to how precious the time of pregnancy and birth is.  

After my 3rd baby, I got involved in running bumps and babies groups and volunteering for Sands and also joined my local Maternity Services Liaison Committee (which I now chair, 10 years on). Connecting with people involved in all aspects of the birth world sparked my absolute passion for supporting parents to have their birth, their way. With the right information and support, the transition to parenthood absolutely can and should be an empowering and life-changing experience.

I trained as an antenatal practitioner in 2017 and a doula with Nurturing Birth in 2018. I didn't know what a doula was when I had my kids, but I was very lucky to have continuous care throughout all my pregnancies, which was vital for feeling safe, respected and supported. I love building connections with clients and am passionate about providing this continuous individualised care tailored to each family and their needs.

There's increasing fear and anxiety around birth, not helped by the disjointed and increasingly medicalised maternity service. I fully believe in the power and physiology of birth, but also know that everyone and every baby's path to birth looks different and interventions are beneficial when necessary. Everyone deserves to have a positive and empowering birth experience no matter what that birth path looks like. 

As your doula, I'll get to know you, your partner and your family throughout pregnancy so that I get an understanding of your needs and wishes for birth. This relationship is one of continuous support, informational, emotional, practical and physical. I'll not advise or direct, but will share knowledge and information, and be a sounding board for you, providing guidance and walking alongside as you navigate your own way. Supporting you to make the decisions that are right for you and your birth without judgement. I'm very easy-going and everything I do is relaxed, so I also bring the joy and fun so that not only are you feeling prepared and confident, but you are also feeling excited as you approach birth!

I have also channelled this passion into campaigning for better maternity services and over the last 8 years have been involved in a number of local and regional policy and guideline working groups, volunteer with AIMS, have links with the Midwifery program at Queens University in Belfast and most recently was part of Professor Mary Renfrew's review into maternity services in Northern Ireland. All with the view of bringing the voice of the service user to the table so that they are at the heart of everything.

I am a bit of a perpetual student, and love learning and training, so am continually doing courses or workshops to help develop my knowledge and skills and expand the support that I can offer to clients. I have since trained as a KGHypnobirthing teacher, Birthlight Aquanatal Yoga for Pregnancy teacher, 3-step Rewind practitioner and Biomechanics for Birth. And I'm always on the lookout for the next training! 

I have 7 years of experience supporting 100s of families to navigate their own way to their own birth. However this birth looks to them, it should always be a positive and empowering experience and I am passionate about ensuring clients feel informed, prepared, confident and supported along the way.

I have supported all types of births, including home birth, MLU births, water birth, hypnobirths, inductions, planned and unplanned caesarean births, VBACs/VBA2Cs/HBACs, IVF births, pregnancy after loss, LGBTQ+ families, single parents, so bring lots of experience. However, each of these families and births were unique and I learn so much from every family I work with!

I love my work! It's an absolute privilege to be part of someone's journey to parenthood and it's always humbling to hear the difference my work has made to someone's experience. Here's what previous clients have shared about me:

'Leslie was a source of calm and reassurance throughout my labour and after the birth of my son...my labour was quick and I was able to have a water birth which I never expected I'd be able to have...put it down to having complete and utter trust that Leslie was there to guide us through the process.' Hannah

'By the end of my pregnancy I felt empowered and most importantly supported going into the home birth of our son. During labour itself, Leslie was indispensable. From talking through options and advocating for me, to helping me through contractions, she was a rock for both myself and my husband the whole time.' Leigh

'The time taken to listen to my wife and I, to go through the options available to us then the practicalities when it came to D day were exceptional. Leslie went above and beyond, made my wife feel comfortable and listened to - she spoke on her behalf (and mine I might add).' Faolan

For details of birth doula support, please see my website. And do get in touch if you have any questions - I look forward to hearing from you! Leslie :) 

All birth support packages include:

• Free, no obligation cuppa and chat/Zoom call - gives us the chance to meet, find out what you're looking for, ask any questions and see if we click
• Ongoing text/WhatsApp support from time of booking
• At least 3 antenatal sessions - these sessions are always relaxed, informal and full of birth-y chat covering any previous birth experiences and plans for this birth, birth preparation, creating your birth plan, comfort measures and techniques for labour, birth partner support
• On-call at 38 weeks until the baby is born - you call whenever you feel you need support in labour (I'm very used to middle of the night calls!) I'll be with you throughout and until a few hours after baby is born and you're all settled. I can be very present if wanted, providing massage and pressure as well as reassurance and support for your partner, but I can also give you and your partner the space to create your own little birth bubble
• Postnatal visit - I'll visit about 1 - 2 weeks after birth, to see how everyone is settling in, talk through your birth experience and give any practical and emotional support and tips for life with your new baby

I never say goodbye to clients, just 'see you later'!