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Postnatal (Recognised since November 2019)
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Birth (Recognised since November 2019)
Lives in: Rickmansworth WD3
Local info and availability:
Remote Support Available Nationally and Internationally.
In Person Support locations (I am a bit of a travelling Doula!). Please note I am fully booked for my in-person Doula services through to Sept 2022. I have limited availability for online birth and postnatal preparation as well as my online course which can be booked via my website: livewildbirthfree.com
Other services:
Recognised Birth and Postnatal Doula,
Remote Doula Support,
Babywearing Peer Supporter,
Radical Birthkeeper,
Gentle Sleep Coach,
3 Step Rewind for Traumatic Birth Recovery.
How to contact Saima:
Use the Contact form below or:
http://www.livewildbirthfree.com
hello@saimakara.com
07734774011
About Me
Please note I am fully booked for in-person services through to September 2022. I have limited availability for one to one online birth and postnatal preparation, coaching and my online course. Book via my website: livewildbirthfree.com/book.
My Philosophy
I believe it’s time for a birth revolution where women experience birth as a transformational and life affirming event. I work with women to take back their power and grow their confidence through one to one coaching, women’s circles and retreats, helping them to find their intuition, follow their instincts, and believe in their body’s innate ability to give birth.
Through coaching we will work through your deeply held beliefs around birth, exploring your fears and worries. I will support you in taking your 100% responsibility for your pregnancy, birth and postnatal period to experience the journey of motherhood as transcendent and empowering.
I was inspired to become a birth witness and coach, when supporting a friend through her pregnancy, birth and postnatally in 2016, which was an incredibly rewarding experience and a real honour.
After attending many hospital births, and noticing a pattern in how the pregnancy and birth progresses in the birth centre/hospital environment; I now mainly work as a home birth Doula, and also with those choosing to birth outside the system (“freebirth”), in order to support women in experiencing intervention free, unmedicalised birth autonomously and in their power.
My work has been covered in The Guardian Newspaper and BBC Radio.
To get a feel for my work, please visit my Instagram page: @livewildbirthfree
Experience
I have experience in supporting families with natural birth, caesarean birth, pre-term birth, breastfeeding, twins, and the first twelve weeks with a newborn.
Some of my clients have had complications such as: gestational diabetes, obstetric cholestasis, polyhydramnios, SPD and pernicious anaemia. I’ve supported them through “high risk” labelling and working with them to feel confident in their body’s ability to birth naturally.
Hospitals and trusts, I’ve worked at include UCLH, Whittington, The Royal Free, St Mary’s Paddington, The Royal London Whitechapel, St Thomas’ Westminster, Northwick Park, Newham, Barnet, Queen Charlotte’s, Homerton, North York General, Toronto and Arrowe Park, Wirral.
I now work with women choosing to birth outside the system also known as unassisted birth or “freebirth”.
Some examples of my birth work:
– coaching a client via Zoom who had birth trauma from her first baby and was feeling extremely anxious about her upcoming birth, to feel excited about it instead. We had a variety of calls, with listening support, hypnotherapy, three step rewind and antenatal sessions. She arranged a home birth and experienced an ecstatic, empowered birth.
– working with a couple birthing who were unsure of the kind of birth they wanted to have and fearful about the risks around birth. As we explored their deeply held beliefs around birth, we discussed birth options and she gradually started to believe in her body’s ability to birth, trusting herself, her baby and body, and chose a birth centre water birth where she experienced birth as a transformational event.
– supporting a same-sex couple through their conception, pregnancy, home birth and postnatal journey in London.
– supporting a pre-term birth at 26 weeks and postnatal care with remote Doula-ing via message
– empowered a client with a severe birth phobia to feel confident in birthing her baby. Baby born in birth centre pool without the need for pain relief or any medical intervention.
– supported a client suffering with anxiety through her pregnancy, birth and motherhood journey. She initially felt she may want a caesarean birth due to this but after working together by the time she was in labour she felt confident to trust her body.
Examples of my postnatal support:
– remote support after an elective c-section with second baby, text emotional support, breastfeeding support, signposting, as well as calls and video calls.
– ad-hoc support to various families when partners return to work, such as guidance with a routine and settling, breastfeeding support, helping with practical tasks around the house, looking after baby while Mum rests and takes time for herself (in or out of the home)
– 10 weeks with an American family providing day support
– night support for a French/British family with twins for 12 week
– spending 6 months with a British/Indian family with twins providing mixed feeding support and postnatal care three days a week
– working live in for an Indian family in Toronto, Canada for 6 weeks immediately after the birth of their baby girl, offering support as required to Mum, baby and the wider household.
Birth Coaching offered Virtually and In-Person
Transformational Birth One to One Coaching – 50 minute one to one coaching session where we will undertake antenatal discussions about topics such as:
- Working together to believe in your body and it’s innate ability to birth
- How to say no in the system
- How to arrange your home birth (particularly if you are being told “you aren’t allowed”)
- Discussing who you want to have at your birth and protecting your space
- How to advocate for yourself within the system
- Practising using decision making tools so you can make informed, confident decisions for your birth
- How to have a transformational birth
- Birthing outside the system
- Following your body’s intuition and trusting it to grow and birth your baby
- Any other relevant issues that feel pertinent to you
Transformational Birth Couples Session – 110 minute Bespoke Antenatal Session.
A very different kind of training compared to NHS antenatal classes/NCT offerings.
Feel truly empowered to birth your baby, your way, as we talk about the history of birth, the hormones of birth, requirements for an transformative, natural birth with the opportunities for orgasm and ecstasy, how to advocate, have a home birth, consciously consider each pregnancy and birth decision outside of the medical model and push back or accept depending on your research/intuition.
Topics can be altered depending on your interest. Suggested topics:
- The transformative, elevating nature of birth
- The transition from maiden to mother
- Having an open conversation about your hopes and fears for the birth and how your partner can support you with these
- The importance of birth physiology and hormones
- The opportunity for orgasmic birth and the Fetal Ejection Reflex to take place
- Movement during birth
- Comfort measures outside of the medical model
- Providing evidence based informational support and signposting to services
- Natural remedies during pregnancy and birth
- How to advocate for yourself in pregnancy and birth and how your partner can support this
- Preparing for your home birth and setting it up within the system (or outside of the system if this is your preference)
- Newborn/Parent Bonding
- Cord ceremonies and what you can do with the placenta.
- What’s actually useful to have as a new parent?
- Preparing for feeding your baby (both breast and bottle) and the first few weeks
- Eco-parenting, conscious parenting and attachment parenting
- Recommended reading list
Birthkeeper
As a Birthkeeper I offer continuity of care through pregnancy, birth and postnatally. Services include antenatal sessions as required, usually online from 12 weeks onwards with at least two in-person visits, being on 24 hour call for 4 weeks around the due date, providing birth support as needed and a post-birth visit. The antenatal sessions are tailored to you, and we will cover topics such as birth preferences, planning and baby feeding.
You are completely able to birth your baby in the way best for you. My aim is to support you wherever necessary to make sure that you always look back on your birth experience as a positive one. This results in a positive relationship with your baby which in turn influences both of your lives as well as the rest of the family.
This support is individual but here are a few examples of what my role might include:
- birth planning and informational support prior to the birth
- empowering parents to feel confident in their abilities to birth and give care to their newborn
- being a practical support as a runner on the day making sure all is as wanted
- supporting your partner allowing them to rest
- creating and maintaining a safe space for you to birth your baby
Postnatal Doula
Postnatally, I have completed the OCN level 5 Maternity Nurse Training with BabyEm. I tailor my services to the mother and family providing non-judgemental, meaningful support as necessary, no task is too big or small. This can include but is not limited to: baby feeding support, attending medical appointments, errands, light housework, moral support, cooking, shopping, spending time with older siblings, preparing bottles, and helping with new baby. You can feel relaxed and secure in knowing things are “being looked after” while I’m around!
I am a breastfeeding advocate and have experience in supporting women from birth with their production, latching, positions, expressing, as well as providing a helpful, supportive, listening ear. I’m also famous for my lactation cookie recipe amongst my clients. I’d love to one day undertake the IBCLC training to become a lactation consultant but trying not to take on too much at once! I am also experienced in formula feeding and mixed feeding should you opt for formula, and have supported families through the transition from breastfeeding to bottle feeding.
I am also passionate about the fourth trimester and how baby wearing can support this. I am a trained babywearing peer supporter and volunteer at my local sling library.
Valid DBS and Paediatric First Training.
You are welcome to contact me via e-mail: hello@saimakara.com, or via the form below. I am fully booked for in-person services through to September 2022 but do have limited availability for my online preparation sessions.
I am a travelling Birthkeeper able to support families internationally depending on my availability. The majority of my coaching services are available remotely and I offer these by video or phone call depending on what you prefer.
Remote Doula Services
Birth in your Power Antenatal Support
This is tailored bespoke for you and may cover:
- Talking through how you’re feeling about your pregnancy and birth (usually via Facetime/Skype/Zoom)
- Discussing your birth preferences, creating a document outlining this together and answering any questions you may have about this with evidence based information
- Having an open conversation about your hopes and fears for the birth and how your partner can support you with these
- Birth Physiology and hormones
- Comfort measures and relief during labour (and how you can prepare for these)
- Birthing positions and optimal foetal positioning
- Providing evidence based informational support and signposting to services
- Natural remedies during pregnancy and birth
- Regular Antenatals to check in (weekly/monthly as suits you)
- How to advocate for yourself in pregnancy and birth and how your partner can support this
- What’s in your birth bag?
- What’s actually useful to have as a new parent?
- Preparing for feeding your baby (both breast and bottle) and the first few weeks
- Eco-parenting, conscious parenting and attachment parenting
- Recommended reading list
Remote Transcendent Birth Support Package
- Unlimited bespoke antenatal support covering the above topics with regular check ins
- On call and available 24/7 for you and your birth partner for two weeks before and after your due date and text/call me during the birth as needed with the option of continuous support in labour via video call
- Sending evidence based information during this period as required
- Using decision making tools for next steps
- 6 weeks phone/text support following the birth
Gentle Mothering Postnatal Support
Remote postnatal support can be provided by Skype, Zoom, Facetime, phone and/or text as preferred by the client
This is tailored bespoke for you and may cover:
- Birth de-brief
- Baby feeding support
- Postnatal recipes and herbal remedies
- Discussing your postnatal recovery
- Emotional support and listening
- Early Years Development
- Baby sleep
- Safe co-sleeping
- Eco-parenting, conscious parenting and attachment parenting
- Traumatic Birth Recovery Three Step Rewind (for you and/or your partner)
- Anything else that may feel relevant
- At this uncertain time with COVID-19, I am offering complimentary 30 minute remote antenatal and postnatal services in exchange for a testimonial.
A little more about me:
I grew up in North-West London with my parents and younger brother. Having a large extended family, I thoroughly enjoyed helping care for new cousins/nieces/nephews from a young age and a new baby brother/sister was always requested on my birthday/Christmas list!
I attended Loughborough University, completing my BA and MA in English Literature and Creative Writing. After graduating I worked at a management level in luxury retail/marketing, my favourite part of the job was listening to and supporting my team of direct reports, helping them to grow and develop within their roles, which I find translates very well to being a Doula now!
Over the last few years I’ve discovered the power of movement and exercise, and now regularly lift weights and also enjoy bouldering, running, yoga and pilates.
I run LiveWildBirthFree.com as an online business to support the many women who reach out to me, and as my 1:1 availability is now limited, my group or self-paced programmes are the best way for you to have access to my training. If you are interested in my extremely limited 1:1 programmes, please e-mail me.
Thank you for reading my profile and please do get in touch if any of the above sparks your interest.
Testimonials:
Remote Birth Postnatal Support:
“I cannot recommend Saima highly enough. I would not have survived the last two weeks without her support! From relentless questions (yes even with baby 2!) breastfeeding support and general emotional support when the hormones are flying. She’s incredible. If you need any support reach out to Saima – she’s a perinatal godsend!”
Birth Coaching and Doula Client:
Working with Saima to overcome my severe birth phobia was paramount in me having my journey to motherhood. I actually booked her on the day of my 12 week scan before we had even told any of our family as I knew I really needed extra support. We had several calls and meetings working together on my feelings and fears about birth and the changes to my body in pregnancy during my second trimester.
Saima is a great listener and a very naturally compassionate person. I felt held by her and her experience as a Doula. She sent me recommended reading and exercises to practice. My partner and I worked together on these and I started to feel so much better and less anxious and fearful.
Following these sessions I realised I really didn’t want a c-section (something I had been considering since I found out I was pregnant), and that I had the ability to give birth and even experience it in a positive way. Saima supported me with regular check in calls during my third trimester and was a huge support during my birth centre water birth where I am proud to say I birthed my baby without any intervention or medical pain relief.
Birth Coaching and Doula Client:
I hired Saima as I felt I wasn’t getting enough support from the NHS midwives and although my husband was supportive, I felt I needed a female companion on my birth process. Saima gave me the confidence to trust my body and know I was capable. I couldn’t believe it when I got to the hospital and I was 4cm dilated, I was so amazed I’d coped for that long and was in active labour all on my own!
Due to various complications I ended up birthing by Caesarean section, but it felt amazing knowing I had dilated fully on my own and I feel I wouldn’t have given my body the chance to do that. It also means that my son was exposed to the microbiome of the birth canal. I will definitely try for a VBAC with confidence knowing what my body is capable of. I was so glad Saima was able to support me through my birth and help my partner do skin to skin when we came out of the theatre and I was a bit woozy.
Birth Doula Client:
“Saima was absolutely AMAZING during labour!! She helped us speak to midwives in the hospital, to get me a private room when the birthing centre rooms were unavailable and I was left in the waiting room. She was very helpful in suggesting alternative positions for me and being the point of contact between the hospital and myself/Charlie.
Saima was there for me and supported what I wanted, and I couldn’t imagine going through it without her there. Saima was absolutely amazing in hospital, acting as my spokesperson and she was able to support my wishes. Saima was very kind and supportive, and explained to me the reasons for the medical teams suggestions and kept reassuring me throughout.
Having Saima there gave me the confidence to push back and stay in the Birthing Centre longer, and I believe that my birth would have likely ended in a c-section if I had moved to the Labour Ward when the hospital asked me to. This is a debt I wouldn’t be able to repay to Saima.
Having the support of Saima who is experienced in birth and independent from the hospital gave me the confidence to make decisions and push back against the hospital and do what was best for me. It was great to have Saima there at the birth and for a short while after. It was amazing to have her there to take photos for us, capturing the precious early minutes of us as a family.
I felt completely supported the entire way through my pregnancy, labour and postnatally by Saima. I didn’t fear labour as much as I felt great comfort in the knowledge that Saima would be there with us the whole way.”
Postnatal Client:
“Saima arrived just about the day after my daughter was born and I’m so grateful that she was there. I was a first time mum and was exhausted from delivery and overwhelmed with motherhood. We had her full time pretty much and kept her for just over 2 weeks if I remember correctly.
She was helping around with a lot, and she always had a smile and positive outlook on everything.
The things which I most appreciated about Saima was her professional mannerism and thoughtful nature. Some examples of what I personally appreciated were:
Saima was able to provide both physical and emotional support. When it comes to having a child it’s not only the babies that need taking care of (it’s us and our home too!)
Saima would help with nappy changes, calming/soothing baby, bath time as well as giving me support as I had chosen to breastfeed exclusively.
I often describe my experience with her as a fairy who just magically cleared up everything. Being so overtired and being welcomed into a tidy room just feels good. Without having to ask her!
She offered support during my lactation visit at the hospital. And being there in the car to check on the baby as I had to drive. So it allowed me to be more mobile and leave the house. She was also happy to step out and pick up any errands I needed.
I also appreciated her taking the extra step to comfort my emotional needs without over stepping her own opinions. For example if I wasn’t sure about something, she would offer advice. But still allow me to make my own decision. So even after a day or two if I decided to agree with her and go ahead with a new routine, she didn’t force me from the start. She allowed my to make decisions and make changes when I was ready.
She was also very caring in making sure I was eating frequently and warming meals for me. Also helping with dishes, and clearing up the kitchen. These small gestures go a long way, especially since I couldn’t get to any of those things.
Overall, Saima was very trustworthy and brought with her a sense of calm and comfort. I would highly recommend her.”
Postnatal Client:
“During those early days I was just going with the motions and could barely put sentences together at times since I was tired. Saima was comforting and completely understanding.
During our baby’s first immunization Saima was warm and sympathetic to how I felt as the nurse was not gentle with our baby. Saima gave me a hug and talked to me – which I needed.
Saima was so warm with both baby and me and our rapport was excellent. She was perfect. Knew exactly what needed to get done without me telling her. I loved that when she would arrive she asked me if I ate and would make a delicious meal so I had enough energy to breastfeed my baby.
I would absolutely hire Saima again. Between the support at home and during the baby’s appointments having a doula is extremely helpful. They also have an unbiased opinion when they make suggestions for your baby.
Successfully breastfeeding was important to me and Saima was knowledgable on this. For us hiring a doula and lactation consultant felt too expensive and happy we just went with having a doula that could make suggestions on breastfeeding best practices.”