Teodora Pavlova

About Me

Hello 🙂 My name is Teodora. I am the mother of two wonderful children, both born in a beautiful, spontaneous and ecstatic way at home – a girl (born Apr 2010) and a boy (born Oct 2020). My biggest passions are conscious childbirth and parenting.

My country of origin is Bulgaria. I studied in France, and later lived in Spain for 3 years where my daughter was born in 2010. During my first pregnancy, I immersed myself in pregnancy yoga and active birth training in my home town Sofia, then took courses in natural childbirth, hypnobirthing and breastfeeding in my new home Madrid. I moved to London in 2013 where I had the privilege to complete twice Paramana Doula Course with Dr. Michel Odent and Liliana Lammers. Later, I did Younique Postnatal Doula course with Sally-Anne Holman and Naomi Kemeny.  In addition, I’ve trained as an Active Birth teacher with Janet Balaskas and later as an Ecstatic Birth Practitioner with Sheila Kamara Hay. I’m also familiar with hypnobirthing, pregnancy yoga and various short and sweet body practices that I applied during my pregnancies. I started supporting and preparing expecting parents in my local community shortly after my arrival in the UK. After my second birth, I moved to Kent and after a short break I’m back to doulaing more knowledgeable and empowered. Currently I’m supporting clients in London and Kent.

For me childbirth is one of the most profound, transformational and ecstatic experiences a woman can have! And I am convinced that the way we are born is deeply imprinted in us and influences us throughout our life.

I know the importance of the birth environment and the need of protecting the space of the woman in labour. I find that having the right conditions, information and attitude can make a huge difference. I will be happy to support and listen to you during pregnancy in order to understand your needs and personal preferences. I will be there to protect your space during birth so that you have your privacy and feel safe and free. And I will be available after you give birth for whatever questions and needs you may have.

I enjoyed so much my first experience of being pregnant, giving birth, breastfeeding and living the different aspects of maternity that I followed my desire to transmit it to as many women as I could! I experienced those life stages as an exciting journey which brought me deeper awareness, internal confidence and personal growth and also made me much more connected to myself and to everything around me. While pregnant for the first time, I decided to stay aside from all the negative scary stories around me and chose to have a different experience, do my own research, and create my own story, which made me calm, self-assured and positive about birth and the whole forthcoming changes. I was inspired by Michel Odent and decided to ensure the optimal birth environment for myself and my child; to prepare emotionally as our bodies know what to do; to relax; and just trust my body’s wisdom and instincts.

I grew up in a culture where the natural processes of pregnancy and birth are over-medicalized and the power is taken away from the women. Pregnancy is regarded and experienced as something annoying and childbirth is considered as a suffering you have to endure. I was surrounded by people with frightening and painful personal experiences. So I walked a long way from this cultural conditioning into feeling confident and powerful, and living what I was sure that the birth is meant to be! I believe that every stage in our life is to be enjoyed, and this is especially true for the pregnancy, birth and the post-natal period! I am deeply inspired by those natural processes and want that more women are able to enjoy them fully and live them with awareness and bliss. And I wish that every woman has the chance to live the birth of her children in empowering and satisfactory way.

Both my children were born at home in a birth pool with so much love, joy and power that it brought me on a whole new level! Giving birth for the first time became my favorite experience in already quite an exciting life! Then I fell in love with childbirth and I still am! My birth preparation and the way of giving birth influenced my maternity – these experiences connected me with my inner wisdom. I was confident and strongly attached to my baby since the very first moment. My daughter didn’t need to cry to communicate with me; I was always aware what was going on with her, I really enjoyed breastfeeding, and was full of energy and positive vibes. I felt happy, assertive and inspired, and so did my daughter. Then with the second pregnancy and birth I went even further in my knowledge, awareness and feeling of empowerment. It was different the second time, I had different challenges – both personal and from the unusual environment of lockdowns, restrictions and social isolation. I learnt new tools and developed new skills.

I have more than 6 years of personal experience in breastfeeding, and will be glad to support you with it in case of need. I also know a lot about attachment parenting, baby-wearing, co-sleeping with the baby, and emotional intelligence. Besides, my attitude towards women and babies is very respectful. And I have various knowledge about postnatal recovery.

Before becoming a mother I was a portfolio manager in the central bank of Bulgaria where I was responsible for managing and investing the currency reserves of the country. I’m also a Chartered Financial Analyst. In my role as a mum, I completely changed my career path.

Now I love spending time with my kids, learning with them and from them, expanding our horizons, and growing together. I enjoy dancing, mainly Argentine tango and Brazilian zouk. I’m into tantra, yoga and meditation; healthy eating and living. I constantly expand my knowledge and invest a lot in personal development and internal work. I have a strong sport background, and I used to take part in synchronized swimming championships for 9 years; now I keep exercising at home on a daily basis. I’m EFT and Matrix Reimprinting practitioner. And I’m studying Kinesiology at the moment. I’m constantly learning and developing.  I’m also happy while travelling, reading, moving and being in nature. I’m interested in holistic health and alternative therapies.

My birth doula package at the moment includes:

– a free initial online meeting so that we can meet and discuss your ideas and needs

– 3 further antenatal sessions

– unlimited contact by phone, messages or email

– “on-call” period when I’m fully available from week 38 of pregnancy to week 42

– attendance during labour and birth in your home and/or hospital

– 1 post-natal visit for whatever needs you might have

Choosing only ante-natal meetings is also an option.

I’ll be privileged to be your doula and will do my very best to understand and meet your needs, to protect you and empower you in this fascinating journey!

Feedback from clients:

“Teodora, thank you so much for your help and support. I couldn’t have asked for a better doula! This birth was definitively the most positive and memorable out of my previous births. I don’t think I will ever forget the experience. Thank you for all your advice and for being with me from the start of labour through to the post-natal period. You are truly an amazing doula and have been an amazing inspiration to me!” – Ruzina

“Teodora is very caring and compassionate. She made my birthing experience very comfortable with her support and help. I can advise her services to anyone who is looking for a friendly face.” – Funda

“It was a pleasure having Teodora as a doula. She is very easy to talk to and her quiet confidence is very reassuring. With Teodora’s help my VBAC went very well. It was the positive birth experience I was hoping for.” – Heather

“Teodora, thank you for all your help 🙂 Larissa and I are very grateful for the excellent support you provided during the birth. We really appreciate the effort you made on the day to make it very special for us. We are so glad we chose you as our Doula 🙂

Personally I thought you did a marvelous job, I was very impressed and I have nothing but praise for your professionalism, sensitivity and approach. If you ever need a recommendation for future clients then we’d be happy to oblige.” – James and Larissa

“Teodora’s smile and calm presence was a well of light accompanying me through the birth of my first child Cosima. Her support before and during the birth was invaluable, thanks to Teodora, I could enter the journey of birth without fear, I was blessed with a natural home birth and my little girl entered gently into this world. I was able to recover very quickly and bonded very easily with my baby, I am sure Teodora’s guidance is for something! Best tips ever!

This experience was so profound that I am myself heading towards the journey of becoming a doula. Thank you so much Teodora!!!” – Mildred