Siobhan Smith

About Me

I am married to Paul and we have three children. I was born and raised in North London and come from Irish parents, hence the name “Siobhan” pronounced Shiv-on. Its Gaelic, (Irish), having an unusual name often involves a lot of explaining that its not pronounced Si-o-ban, but I’m used to that.  I love spending time with my family and friends. My hobbies include eating cake and exercising to work off the calories, although I haven’t managed to get the balance quite right on that.

I have been supporting families as a birth & postnatal doula since 2011. To date I have attended over 200 births and supported many more families in the postnatal period.
I provide emotional and practical support before, during & after the birth of your baby. I can help you navigate the maternity system and be that continuity throughout your pregnancy. If you have a partner I will be their wing-(wo)man, supporting them through what can feel like an over whelming responsibility.
Postnatally I will support you while you adjust to your “new normal”. I will be that helping hand guiding you while you explore your parenting skills. I can support with the common questions most parents have about the day to day care of a newborn and help you recognise what is normal newborn behaviour. I also work as a night nanny for when you feel you need to recharge your batteries.
I trained with Kicki Hansard in 2011, completing a birth and postnatal doula course that is recognised by Doula UK. As a member of both Birthbliss Academy and Doula UK, I follow their philosophy and the Code of Conduct. I have a full DBS and insurance I am also accredited by FEDANT.

When I’m not working with expectant and new parents some of my other roles include: Working at The University of Hertfordshire as their Expert by Experience. I regularly attend the university as a guest lecture delivering workshops of the student midwives along with sitting on the interview panel for the midwifery degree applicants. I am also a member of my local Maternity Voices Partnership where we  work with the NHS to improve maternity services for the people that use the service and the staff that work within it. In the past I have volunteered at the Royal Free hospital, Hampstead in North London and at Watford General hospital, Hertfordshire as a Breastfeeding Peer Support Worker. This gave me great insight to the way in which midwives, obstetricians and paediatricians work and an opportunity to attend many educational courses along side the medical professionals as a result of working with them.

I have experience of working with different types of births such as: water births, home birth, high risk pregnancies, VBAC, breech, caesarean births, multiple births and previous birth trauma.
I am available to attend births in North London, West London, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire & Middlesex.

I offer continuity of care, visiting you at least 3 times before the birth, attending the birth and at least once after the birth, I am always at the end of the phone or email.  You can also have access to the many books I have on pregnancy, birth & parenting as well as exclusive discount codes for various products.

Please feel free to visit my web site: https://www.thebirthdoula.co.uk/

Or contact me via email : siobhan@thebirthdoula.co.uk

I have attended many educational courses to further my learning:

• UNICEF Infant feeding course The Royal Free Hospital, Hampstead.
• Jack Newman Breastfeeding study day
• Michael Odent study day
• Kerstin Uvnas Moberg Oxytocin study day
• Breastfeeding support volunteer at The Royal Free Hospital, Hampstead NW3 & Watford General Hospital WD18
• Aromatherapy workshop for Birth workers
• Breech presentation birth workshop for birth worker with Shaun Walker
• Being present workshop Mark Harris
• DUK recognition process
• Homeopathy for birth workers workshop
• When survivors give birth. Penny Symkin
• Baby wearing peer support training
• Baby weaning with HCC
• Water birth workshop with Diane Garland
• Birth Trauma Resolution Training
• The Mindful Birth Group Hypnobirthing Trainers Course
• Birth Rights Training
• Black Mothers Matter

I have supported a variety of births such us: Waters births, Home births, VBACS, Birth centre, Consultant led, Breech birth, Multiple Births, Birth trauma, High risk.

“Siobhan was warm and came across really passionate and enthusiastic about what she does. She was very accommodating with the fact that my partner was still based in Paris and hadn’t yet moved to London. She went through all aspects of labour with me and helped me put together my birthing preference. She also arranged a separate meeting with my partner when he arrived in London a few days later. I would highly recommend Siobhan and will definitely be booking her way in advance for my next pregnancy. Siobhan had given me enough knowledge to make decisions and choices which in turn made me feel empowered and in control at all times.”

Nnandi & Jean-Jacqui, Highgate, N6, North London.

“Siobhan’s extensive knowledge was always so reassuring; when ever I had a worry during the pregnancy or after the birth she was able to explain and reassure me with her knowledge of the physionomy of pregnancy, birthing & breastfeeding.

Totally reliable, supportive and positive. I would recommend Siobhan to everyone having a baby.”

Willow & Mark, Hampstead, NW3 North London.

“Siobhan was our Doula during the birth of second child. My first labour had ended up being highly medicated, This experience had shaken my confidence in my bodies ability to labour naturally. Siobhan restored that confidence, she worked with me and my husband prior to the birth to ensure that we were as relaxed and prepared as we could be. Siobhan is a friendly, professional and calm Doula. I would highly recommend Siobhan and will use her again for any further pregnancies.”

Hanna & Paddy St Albans, AL1 Hertfordshire.

After a difficult first birth with our daughter, my husband and I decided to employ a doula to help with the arrival of our second child – our son James who was born in September 2015.
During labour the first time around, we found making decisions quite difficult, and wished we were better informed and had someone to call upon for advice. So when we started to look for a doula, our primary aim was to find someone who could offer us both practical and emotional support.
We both warmed to Siobhan as soon as we met her. She combines warmth with practicality and a “can do” approach which instantly made us both feel more confident and at ease with everything. I felt a huge weight had been lifted after that first meeting.
When it came to the labour itself, Siobhan was great. She was there when we needed her, and took a step back when we didn’t, and I really did lean on her for support – both physically and emotionally! One thing I particularly remember was how useful it was to have her there to help with different birthing positions.
Ultimately, James managed to move himself into a very awkward position during labour so unfortunately forceps were needed – but again, having Siobhan there helped give us confidence when decisions had to be made about that.
Finally, Siobhan’s visit to us after the birth of our son was really helpful. She gave me some invaluable advice about feeding which has stayed with me and I really think has helped me to exclusively breastfeed for longer than I managed with my daughter.
We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Siobhan and we would be happy to speak to any prospective clients of hers to share our experiences.

Ruth,  Harpenden, AL5 Hertfordshire.