Sam Sheppard (she/her)

About Me

Hi, my name is Sam.  I am a mother of two amazing children, wife to a supportive and understanding husband, and Doula. My boy was born in 2003 and my daughter in 2004…my experience as a mother is one that cant be taken lightly! Its truly a gift!

I’m extremely lucky to be a doula, its a real privilege. After all these years it never ceases to blow me away and being asked to support families at their most intimate time is one I never take for granted.

As a recognized birth and postnatal doula I believe that we are here to support the mother/new parent/family in whichever way they feel is needed for them. Every birth I’ve supported is so individual! I’m not here judge or put my own feelings/advice forward but to just be there, provide options should you want them, signpost to places of interest and most importantly listen to each birthing persons needs. The idea is that as doulas we do not fix, but we walk along your birth journey with you, alongside you, supporting and validating what’s important to you so that you have as positive a birth experience as you can.

I have supported births all over-Essex, London, Herts and Camb…homes and hospitals 🙂

I love to learn so continually have new/refresher courses in the pipeline to extend my knowledge and aid my work.
I have been privileged to have supported with some of the most inspirational and strong people while doing my work (both through those pregnant/birthing and my mentoring) and this in turn has really taught me a great deal about women/birthing people and their needs…which is that they are all very different!! Each person has a really specific view on childbirth, the experience they’d like and what support they need individually and as a family. No question is a ‘silly one’ and the more ‘informed options’ women/those that birth are given, the better they find their experience….be it what they expected or not…as they feel in control, which is the most important factor.

*Nurturing Birth course facilitator
*LGBTQIA+ inclusivity workshop (Sarah Taylor) – June 2021
*Durham Uni Infancy and Sleep virtual conference – April 2021
*European doula conference attendance online – Sept 2020
*Five X more online event – Sept 2020
*The Infant Microbiome (Bridget Supple) – Dec 2019
*Birth Trauma-3 Step Rewind Technique (Alex Heath)
*When Survivors Give Birth (Penny Simkin/Kicki Hansard) – May 2016
*Beaded Birthlines (Katherine) – march 2016
*Supporting Every Birth-(Michelle Every) – November 2015
*Mindful Doulas Doula course (Adela Stockton) – 2015
*Hypnobirthing trainer-(trained with Katherine Graves) – April 2011
*Babycalm training-(with Sarah Ockwell-Smith) – April 2011
*Babyled weaning Study Day with MaddieMcMahon
*Developing Nursing Confidence-Maddie McMahon (Developing Doulas) – Jan 18th 2011
*Homeopathy for pregnancy and labour (Homeopath Sarah Ockwell-Smith) – 16th November 2011
*Aromatherapy in birth and labour (Nicola Goodall)
*Shiatsu for labour (module one)-2 day course with Justine Sipprell and Nicola Endicott – April 2009 *Level 2 Breastfeeding workshop-Sue Saunders (Through Nurturing Birth) – March 2009
*Rebozo Workshop (retreat-Wales-Rocio)
*Birthcrisis workshop with Shelia Kitzinger – March 2009
*Hypnobirthing study afternoon with Sarah Ockwell-Smith – March 2009 (leaning about the classes, what happens-what to expect and how to support a mother/family who have done these classes)
*Waterbirth Study Day with Dianne Garland – February 2009
*Doula training with NurturingBirth – September 2008 (Bushra Finch)
*Paediatric First Aid – September 2008
*IAIM- Baby Massage Instructor
I do also have a kit of Homeopathic remedies for use in childbirth which you are welcome to use but has been put together by a qualified homeopath.