I am Louise and I am a Doula specialising in post-natal care. I live in Wallingford, Oxfordshire which is a place I love for its amazing community spirit. I love to sing in a local choir, walk in nature and spend time by the river.

I previously worked for nature conservation charities striving to protect and enhance the natural world whilst inspiring others to do the same.

After having my son with the support of a wonderful doula I didn't return to employment but soaked up being a full time Mummy whilst undertaking training and volunteer work to become a Doula.

My personal experience of having my son and the immediate post-natal phase had a lasting effect on me; my wife, son and I bedded down into a 'babymoon' which whilst incredible, was full of the common new parent neuroses, doubting, questioning and panicking! We were able to enjoy this time despite the confusion of looking after a new tiny human thanks to wonderful professional guidance and supportive friends and family. This was particularly important for establishing breastfeeding which has been such a rewarding experience for me. The long lasting impact of this initial time getting to know our son and the support we had to allow us to do so stayed with me and, aware that not all new parents have such available help I was determined to find a way to help others. So, I trained as a Doula and started volunteering as a peer supporter at two local baby cafes helping with infant feeding and other baby related support! As a peer supporter at these groups I have been in awe of how many families navigate this unique time learning about their new baby and a whole new way of life, often with limited emotional and practical support. It can be a lonely time for new parents, especially when partners return to work. A time full of wondering 'is this normal', 'what's for the best', 'if breastfeeding is so natural why don't I know what I'm doing'!?!?! Peer to peer support is an incredible help; it really does take a village to raise a child. 

You only get this time with your new baby once and I am passionate about enabling parents to enjoy and savour it as as much as possible. This is what my service can provide for your family.

As your post-natal doula I will work with you in the way you and your family needs me to so that you have the support, guidance, and therefore the time and confidence to concentrate on getting to know your baby and enjoy this most precious time.

What can I do for you as a post-natal doula?

• I offer emotional and practical support following the birth of your baby. My work is all about empowering you and your family to take care of itself and I facilitate this by offering encouragement and suggestions as well as providing a supportive home environment to enable you to develop your own parenting skills in a relaxed and stress-free manner.

• I have a wide knowledge of the many different methods and philosophies on raising children and will use this information to help you discover how you want to do things. I don't believe there is just 'one-way' of doing things and encourage new parents to develop their own philosophies and to follow their instincts. I am not there to tell you what to do!

• I provide suggestions and help around infant feeding along with practical newborn tips. I am a peer supporter of infant feeding at several baby cafes and have contact with further infant feeding specialists should you need any further support.

• I will give you space to discuss any concerns and issues and I generally offer a source of information and companionship.

• I am very flexible and my role is to support you with the day to day running of your household so that you can concentrate on getting to know your new baby.

• I will provide access to my lending library of books about breastfeeding and baby care to support your learning.

• I have knowledge of local services so can signpost you to other help, advice or activities you may be interested in. I consider myself a member of the LGBTQIA+ community and am LGBTQIA+ safe. I have lived experience of being Neurodiverse with an understanding and skills around the challenges this can create and supportive strategies.

I was Lead of the Oxfordshire Maternity and Neonatal Voices Partnership for 6 years until Spring 2025 and I found this invaluable for understanding the current state of Maternity Care in the UK and trying to help it work well for families as well as understanding the current challenges. 

Testimonials
   
"Louise came to support me after the birth of my first child a few times a week when he was a month old. Those early weeks were so tough and it was such a relief to get some rest/a shower/eat while knowing my son was so well taken care of. She was wonderful with him. Louise not only provided practical support but also emotional support surrounding my birth and breastfeeding journey and was a grey sounding board and very reassuring and containing. I was very lucky to have her support!" Simone 2023"Louise was an absolute blessing to my post natal recovery in supporting me and my husband as we became first time parents. She was always so helpful and calming and made it easy for me to switch off and focus on either sleep, rest or life admin (whatever I needed). Those couple of hours each week made such the difference in how I handled those first few months. I honestly don’t know how we would have done it without her. Thank you" Caroline

 "Louise's support in the weeks following the birth of our first baby was invaluable. She is such a warm, caring, thoughtful and knowledgeable person, and perfect in the role of postnatal doula, I feel so lucky to have found her. She was brilliant with our daughter and with me, always doing and saying the right things to help guide and reassure me - having a trusted, impartial sounding board really helped navigate all the advice and alleviate self doubt. She confidently and unobtrusively helped with laundry and dishwasher duties, and making me drinks and food, and she soothed and held my daughter (who loved her!) whilst I had a shower/caught up on a bit of sleep etc. I wish I had known about post-natal doulas - and Louise specifically - before birth. I knew it would be hard but never considered that there could be someone who could help in all the ways you need! Louise's support was by far the best money spent on baby things so far!" Anita 2019 "I couldn't recommend Louise enough. Not having used the services of a doula before, we weren't familiar with the process but Louise met us to talk us through it and we liked her immediately. Throughout our first months with our baby boy, she provided us with mountains of knowledge and assistance and couldn't have been more helpful. She never pushed any personal views or agendas on us but was happy to give us the pros and cons on any subject we weren't certain of and just made us feel more secure overall. If you are considering getting somebody to help, Make sure you have a chat with Louise, I know you'll warm to her straight away." Oliver