Hello, I am Nicky and I am a Recognised Birth doula based in West Oxfordshire and London and feel passionate about supporting women both antenatally and postnatally. I completed my training with Kicki Hansard of Birth Bliss doulas over 10 years ago and am a fully recognised Doula Uk member. I have supported over 40 births and feel very privileged to meet and support such incredible families.   

I became a doula because I believe whole heartedly that women have the amazing gift of giving life and that they should be respected and emotionally supported through all the choices they make in this process. I have four children and their ages range from 20-27 yrs.   I had my first baby in hospital and had my three subsequent births at home, each a unique experience to include an amazing water birth.  I discovered my inner birth passion when I was supported and nurtured by my best friend who I trusted implicitly and gave me the space to birth freely, believing in my strength.

My back ground is in Primary school education which I believe has really contributed to my experience in looking after children but also in listening to parents' needs. This is very similar to the role of being a Doula!  

I am also a registered qualified naturopathic nutritional Therapist dedicated to enhancing health and well-being through nutrition and lifestyle changes. I see my role as a detective investigating the underlying causes of symptoms rather than offering temporary solutions. I specialise in women's health, through pregnancy, postnatally and fertility support as well as gut health, weight management and hormonal balance which all contribute to enhancing health. I am also available to visit you at home offering support and education in preparing meals in addition to assisting in organising food cupboards to optimise nutritional needs.   (Website in process but can be reached on here meanwhile).

Prior to becoming a doula and nutritional therapist, I set up a home school whilst living in Asia and completed a year's Shiatsu training in London.

I love food, music, dance, cooking, riding, sailing, being outside but above all I love being a mum!

Through my own experience of childbirth and parenthood, I feel strongly that women should be empowered to make their birth experience their own and that through physical and emotional support they are able to make their own choices. 

Birth is a physiological process and for this to work at its best I think calm, quiet, love, warmth, touch are all essential.  Giving birth is not to be feared but to be seen as the most empowering  and exciting journey, no matter what kind of birth you envisage.  I have always been passionate about birth, even before I had my own children!

My aim is to support women and their partners to achieve empowering and fulfilling births which they can look back on with pride. Together we will navigate your options and worries you might have and discuss how I can help you in the best way possible.

My role as a doula is to support couples beforehand in acquiring knowledge leading to the best possible outcomes for them during labour and thereafter.

Having a Doula is not a luxury but an invaluable support to women who really want to empower themselves in making the right choices. I am able to suit any family need from helping couples make informed decisions based on collated information, being there in ANY capacity whether it's just being a presence in helping with practical and emotional support. I can provide the understanding, kindness and reassurance needed to enable the best outcome on your birthing journey.

A natural birth is every woman's right and I aim to provide physical, practical and emotional support in achieving this.  Above all, having experienced myself a variety of different approaches, I know how important it is to have a strong level of support so that it remains a positive outcome for years to come. 

Whatever birth you want to have, I am here to support you in your choices and to give you the best possible experience. I am here to give you guidance, emotional support, information and above all to provide a listening ear! I hope to have the privilege of supporting you on your journey.   

Birth services:

First meeting:

In order to see if I am the right fit for you, I like to meet in person to chat through your needs, this is not charged and without obligation.

Antenatal:

We would meet 2/3 x before the birth to understand fully your hopes and fears. We will talk through birth plans, emotional and physical needs and how to care for you baby once home.

The Birth:

I am on call for you for two weeks before your due date and two afterwards. I will get the call that things are starting and will come to your home. I will then travel to hospital with you and your partner, this can be anxious time for him so I will do everything I can to put him at ease by keeping him informed. I aim to work as a team with your birth partner whilst giving you the space and privacy to enjoy your birth together by keeping him informed.

Postnatal:

I follow up with a visit once you are back home to check everyone is happy and settled and I am then at the other end of the phone for the first six weeks should you want additional support. 

I trained with Kicki Hansard in September 2015 

Lactation study day - Indira Lopez-Bassols IBCLC (sept 2015) 

Mindfulness based childbirth and Parenting workshop at the Oxford Mindfulness Centre (Nov 15) 

1 day workshop with Mark Harris (Nov 2015) 

I have experience of attending home, water and hospital births (VBA2C), high risk, induction, caesarean. Over 100 hours Postnatal work.