Lisa Leto Kelly She/Her (Birth, postnantal, trauma informed)

About Me

Hi, I’m Lisa, a birth and postnatal doula based in Hackney, East London.

I’m a Scouser, (so originally from Liverpool) but have been calling Hackney home for the last 16 years. I love the sense of community here, which is so important to me. I am also a mother to 2 wonderful small humans and am passionate that all birth experiences should be positive and empowered.

For many years I have followed my creative passions, with careers in fashion and design, and have spent lots of time travelling and meeting people from all walks of life. This is what I live for. I have always been a very nurturing person and I became especially fascinated in birth after having my own children and felt like this was now my calling.

I completed my (Doula UK approved) preparation course with Continuum Doulas in 2021 which I found to be a wonderful transformative all round training experience, touching on all aspects of birth, and beyond, both spiritual and evidence based. I re attend the course to refresh and reconnect with my doula family every year as I really believe in continuous development. I also completed training with Michel Odent and Liliana Lammers, as I love their work. He describes the work of a doula as ‘protecting birth’. I really love this as I really believe birthing people should be educated and encouraged that their body really can give birth to the baby it has created. He has been instrumental in promoting the demedicalisation of birth. 

It is so important to me that I can offer my support and services to all families and birthing people in the community and am committed to continue to develop and learn on this journey.  I have completed The Queer Birth Club’s LGBT Competency Course, Providing Trauma Informed Care with Donn Kropp and Sands’ Supporting Families Through Pregnancy Loss. I also volunteer with Doulas Without Borders, as I feel passionate about helping those who are especially vulnerable and cannot access doula support otherwise. 

I have been on an amazing energy healing journey for the past 6 months, working with frequencies and also offer this to clients on a 1:1 tailored basis from pre conception, throughout pregnancy and into the postnatal period as an extra service if this is something they are interested in. 

As your doula I am there to hold space for you, advocate for you and assist you to have the birth you want. I come to the table open and without pre-conceived ideas. I want to get to know you and your family, and so offer 6 prenatal sessions (including first discovery meeting) as this will really give us time to build trust and prepare. I will then be on call from 38 weeks, attend the birth, with an additional 6 post natal visits that can be spread out however you need.

The postnatal period is such a beautiful transition for you and your family, and I aim to be there for you in whatever capacity you need. I can be there to guide you, and also signpost you to any other care you may need.

I breastfed both of my children for 2 years and so I am passionate about supporting all new families to breastfeed or chestfeed if this is what they wish. I can be with you for that first trip to a cafe where you are feeding baby in public for the first time.  I am also a passionate baby wearer. I carried my children around until they were 2 plus, so have lots of advice around this. There are so many benefits, and this is something we can explore together. I have a selection of slings and carriers you can try.

I also understand the impact the new arrival can have on the whole family. I am keen to get to know all your family, and can help out in the postnatal period with any siblings, as we must acknowledge this is a huge adjustment for them.

If you would like to arrange a (free) meet up, in person or over video call we can delve deeper into what you need and see if we are a good fit.

Training and Development

June 2021 Child Psychology with WEA
June 2021 Positive Parenting with WEA
July 2021 Parenting The Whole Child/Holistic Parenting with WEA
*October 2021 Continuum Doula preparation course, residential Somerset UK*
November 2021 LGBT+ Competency in Birth Workshop with The Queer Birth Company
January 2022 Continuum Doula Course refresher
February 2022 Providing Trauma Informed Care with Donn Kropp
April 2022 Continuum Doula Course refresher
*June 2022 Paramana Doula Course with Michel Odent & Liliana Lammers*
August 2022 Sands Supporting families through pregnancy loss and the death of a baby
October 2023 Supporting Survivors Through the Perinatal Period with Alex Heath via Doulas Without Borders
October 2023 Continuum Doula Course Refresher