Hello, I live in the countryside near Rugby in Warwickshire with my husband and black labrador, Poppy. Our 4 children are grown up and have moved away, giving me more time to pursue my favourite hobby.....being a birth and post natal doula! 

I am a recognised Birth & Post Natal Doula with Doula UK. Completing my Doula UK Approved Training Course with Birthbliss Academy in 2013. I was mentored for my first 4 births and became 'recognised' later that same year, learning so much in those 12 months, and the learning continues......

In 1992 I started my own business running a group of day nurseries for children and have been heavily involved with families and caring for young children since then. Alongside my work in the nurseries I also became a volunteer counsellor for NSPCC and helped to run a breast feeding clinic at Barnardos, Rugby which I loved and am still involved with. I have a keen interest in pregnancy, babies and especially supporting women and families navigate the NHS midwifery system. I did consider training to be a midwife at one point but a friend mentioned doula training to me and I felt that this was my calling.

When I was pregnant myself my mother lived nearby and I only realised later in life just how valuable this was. She listened to me, without judgement and was calm throughout, giving me constant encouragement. She helped me trust my body which is so important and something we seem to have lost confidence in these days. Birthing a baby is a natural bodily function after all, not a medical emergency.

What I Do:

As your doula I would visit you several times antenatally to build a relationship with you and your partner. I would listen to your concerns and share in your excitement whilst also offering any relevant evidence based information to help you make the right decisions for you. I would be available by WhatsApp in between visits too so you’re never far away from a kindly reassuring ear.

Depending on your birth preferences, I would work with you and your partner to see how we can best support you to have the birth you would like. I have had the opportunity of attending many home births now but I also support hospital/birth centre births too. Whether it be a physiological, natural birth, a VBAC or a first caesarean, I try to make the hospital environment and experience as homely and comfortable for you as possible, so you feel safe. I would remain by your side throughout or for as long as you and your partner needed me.

I spend some time during my antenatal visits working closely with partners, listening to their concerns and giving them tools to support you before during and after birth. I ensure that they are supported throughout as this can be an overwhelming experience for them.

After the birth, I would stay with you, ensuring breastfeeding is established (if that's your preference) helping baby to have that first feed which is not always straightforward! Maybe taking a few photos of the new baby and parents if you wish. At this stage onwards my role would be to support you and your partner to become confident parents and carers of your baby.

This is the most empowering experience you will have, you will want to remember it positively and with pride.....so, let me help you take control!

I can also provide a postnatal doula service to you, offering emotional support, information on how to look after your new baby, help with receiving visitors, cooking, help with other siblings and even dog walking if that helps! I have had IBCLC breast-feeding training along with hundreds of hours of breast-feeding experience.

I can offer information on Hypnobirthing, massage, Spinning Babies, Yoga, Pelvic Floor and Perineal Health, Water-births (I have a birth pool for your use), other sources of pain relief, post-natal diet and exercise. I am happy to cook some healthy meals for you to aid recovery....and of course some sweet treats too! I can also dispel some of those old wives tales about pregnancy and birth, of which there are hundreds!

For an informal chat/visit or for more information on a personally designed packaged, call me on 07971027866