As a very proud and happy mother of three (1 c/s, 1982; 2x natural SVD; 1984 & 1986), I was also a Midwife (Retired in Nov 2019) and a Registered Doula. I was happily married for 24yrs, living the 'good life' in rural West Wales.Our son and two daughters, whom I love and respect with much joy and great pleasure, are a very close and loving unit and we get together regularly. Although each birth was unique, I wanted a friend. I wondered if I had enough love to go around; I was on a 'high' but tearful too - if only I'd known the difference a friendly, understanding woman-folk, mother-figure would have made!
I was a Teacher of Physical Education and Dance Specialist for many exciting years before changing career to work with women and their transition into family life. It has been a dream, since my babies' births to be that 'special person' who was with me at my deliveries.I maintain a healthy lifestyle, and love to dance regularly. I am a caring, calm, friendly and understanding person who enjoys radiating warmth and cheerful positivity to others.I am happily motivated in a full and rewarding life and value the doula philosophy. I am very keen and fully dedicated to making the difference by my being with women along their journey of pregnancy to birth and beyond.
Midwifery is an amazing profession but my passion lies in the continuity of care for the mother, her baby and as/when appropriate, her partner and family. Alongside this, the ability to be with her and for her throughout the journey; to share this experience, to offer emotional and practical support, to enable women to have a satisfying and empowering time during pregnancy, birth and as a new mother.
I believe the philosophy of childbirth instinctively dictates normal childbirth as being natural and until it deviates from the norm deserves to be treated as such and left to the woman to let her body have control and 'show her the way'.
My experience in the NHS facilitates my ability to help, if needed, with hospital staff and environments, to be there for the woman however she needs to feel at ease and to provide a positive experience.
I would like to be there for you to explore the opportunity to enjoy the 'once in a lifetime' experience. I am fascinated by the initial bonds of love and connection and so will promote skin to skin contact.
With family often spread far and wide, the friend and mother-figure remain key; so if you have any concerns or worries, issues or joys you'd like to share or indeed questions of whatever topic, do please feel free to give me a call anytime as a friend at any point during the journey to parenthood.
I am happy to live-in or stay for a short period before and/or post-natally to assist in the transition for a relaxed family life.
I am equally readily available to assist with overnight feeding & baby care/ night duty etc. as Mum needs, wants and/or wishes and however she chooses to feed her baby whether it be bottle or breast & at any time up to toddler age.
Please call me or email your number and we can have a chat to discuss a get-together.
Congratulations on your exciting news, meanwhile I wish you a healthy and smooth journey through your pregnancy and look forward to meeting you at some point.
Be happy and well,
Susanna, with a hug x
Most recent study: 'Make Birth Better' Birth Trauma Training Course (Sept/Oct 2023)
Previously:
Secondary School Physical Education Teacher.
Specialist areas: Dance, swimming & Gymnastics (International Rhythmic Gymnast between 1975-79)
Home, 1-1 Tutor for pupils with emotional, social and behavioural issues which also included Teenage pregnant youngsters both A/N & P/N
Nurse Training @ King's College, London (Guy's & St.Thomas' Hosp.) with volunteer work in 'Home-From-Home' and Paramedic Departments @ St.Thomas' Hospital, London
Assisted Conception Unit, Guy's Hospital, London
Midwifery Training: Canterbury Christ Church University; Margate & Ashford Hospitals as well as Canterbury Birthing Centre, including water/pool - pain relief and births
Active Birth and Waterbirth Study with Dianne Garland
Midwifery Practitioner @ Chelsea & Westminster Hospital London
Midwifery Practitioner @ St.Thomas' Hospital London
Breast Feeding/Lactation Training
Doula Training Introduction Day
Doula Training by (Paramana)- Michel Odent and Liliana Lammers
Bereavement Study day
Reflexology Study Day
Breastfeeding Specialist Midwife @ Newborn/Baby Tongue-Tie Clinic , Evelina Hospital, St. Thomas' : 5 years
Research Team for BUMPES Study Audit
Research/Audit for Tongue-Tie procedures.
All Emergency procedures (including Adult & Newborn Resuscitation) as a Midwife are updated annually with Guys & St Thomas' Foundation Trust onsite at St. Thomas' Hospital.
I am a Reiki Practitioner and happy to oblige if appropriate. I can offer massage (Body & facial) and Alexander Technique body awareness and positioning to assist throughout.
It has been an absolute privilege to share womens' experiences and is a passion for me to maintain low-risk, normality in childbirth with positive memories both A/N and P/N throughout a continuity of care and carer.
I look forward to hearing from you at any part of your journey for any reason for information or simply to chat.
