Hello there, I'm Ruth; mother, lover of the seaside, and compulsive learner. I am a birth doula in Kent (sometimes postnatal too!) I am passionate about supporting families to have the best possible start to their parenting adventure. I've been a doula since 2018 supporting many, many births and lots of postnatal families - each has been unique, and also shared golden threads of similarities: they needed love, understanding and unconditional support.

You might like me if any of these are true:

• You'd like to be heard and understood
• You like your information with a large helping of evidence
• You want to birth your way and feel like you own the experience 
• You have a clear idea of the birth you want and you want advocacy and strong, gentle guidance
• You are not sure what you want from birth, but you know you want someone experienced and grounding by your side through it all

"Ruth is the most incredibly supportive, thoughtful and professional doula I have encountered. What a wonderwoman." - Stevie

With me as your doula, you get the benefit of my passion, knowledge, and commitment to all things pregnancy, birth, and women. I get a kick out of being a helpful, practical, and loving part of the birth team working with you at the center. I don't have an agenda for how you should give birth or parent, I just want you to get the choice and support to be able to do it the way you want. You might find that you would like someone to listen to you alongside other practical support. Really listen, and hear what you are saying. I have been training in deep listening skills for many years. Someone really listening to you can make a huge and lasting difference and I love that part of my job.

"If you want a great birth experience, you should get in touch with Ruth. She will be always there for you when you need her." - Elena

Why am I a doula? Well, while pregnant, it became a daily norm for someone to come and tell me about their traumatic birth or breastfeeding story. I could hardly believe how women were being treated during birth, and that it was seen as normal and ignored. It led me to want to get involved and make a change. 

"Ruth is the best doula anyone could wish for!❤️ She supported me and my partner throughout pregnancy and our baby boys long birth. As a doula myself I really wanted someone there who could advocate for me and understands my wishes. Ruth did exactly this and more. Ruth instantly put my partner at ease and helped guide him giving him the confidence throughout. Ruth thought of everything whether that was providing food and drink, pouring water on my back through every contraction, giving hip squeezes and back massages. We couldn’t have done it without her. Ruth also gave us space to debrief birth afterwards and also helped allowing us to get some sleep. We fully trust Ruth and wouldn’t hesitate to have her as our doula again if we are lucky to have a second baby." - Hannah

When allowed to autonomously make decisions about their own bodies and their babies, it has been found that parents make good choices. As a family, or a single person bringing a child into the world, you are faced with many decisions to make, often surrounded by medical professionals. I will support you, with your birth partner if you have one, to be in the best position, ready with all the information you need to make the right decisions for you. 

"You will not regret having Ruth present before and during your baby’s birth. The birth of our first baby boy was the most magical, positive, empowering and deeply bonding experience we could have ever hoped for as a family - this was in no small part due to the presence and influence of Ruth throughout. What a way to welcome our baby. Ruth is a natural doula and has a deeply caring nature. I can not recommend her highly enough for the preparation for and birth of your baby." - Natalie

What do you want? What is your focus for birth? Do you have any concerns? We will talk, I will listen, and support you with what matters to you. We will work together as a team towards the best birth for you. 

“If a doula were a drug, it would be unethical not to use it.” -Dr. John H. Kennell

 At the simplest level, I want to be a part of making sure your rights are respected during birth. Studies show that when women are respected and listened to, they often have a better birth experience and a much lower chance of trauma. I want to be there to hold the space for you to make those choices, and to keep the room positive and calm when others may become distracted or have other priorities. I know that you can have a beautiful birth, whatever that looks like for you and your baby. There is more about my experience, offering and services on my website. If you have any money worries I am more than happy to discuss lots of options to help you to get the support you want. 

"Ruth is kind, patient, supportive and collected as well as extremely knowledgeable. She has a special way of making your inner voice sound clearer definitely has a generous spirit yet is extremely professional" - Jardena

Email me at ruthgoodbirth@gmail.com or whatsapp me on 07886199300 to start talking. 

Other stuff I do/have done:

• volunteer for Family Action FamilyLine
• volunteer for Doulas Without Borders
• volunteer for Neighbourhood Doulas in London
• Co-facilitator for The Birth Network - North Kent
• Founder of The Kent Doula Collective
• volunteer for ABM and National Breastfeeding Helpline (in training)