Tomoko Holloway – Mid West Wales

About Me

It is YOUR Birth Journey, not anyone else’s.   It is your journey of giving birth to a new life as well as of you being born as a mother/parent.

I, as a Doula, will be there for you. You will be supported. I will support you at each step of your pregnancy, birth and postpartum journey. This journey will go on as one to nurture your baby and future generations.

I cover the whole of Ceredigion and some areas nearby in Mid West Wales. I offer face to face services but some services can be online if preferred.

My name is Tomoko. I currently live near Aberaeron after living in Guernsey for 3 years and Bangkok in Thailand for 2 years. ​I am from Japan and have a husband from England and 3 boys from 8 to 14 years old.

With my eldest, I had an amazing home birth experience thanks to lovely community midwives, ​ a Birth Doula, my partner and family. I will never forget when we all shared the calm and magical moment of birth. My middle and youngest sons were born at the midwifery led unit in a local hospital. These were also lovely birth experiences thanks to all the support I was given. ​

Although I myself had a natural birth, it does NOT mean I only support mothers and birthing people with natural births. I have supported from homebirth to Caesarean birth. I truly believe it is most important that each mother and birthing person make their own choice as it is YOUR Birth Journey. ​

As I was given lots of warm and kind support when I gave birth, it is now my turn to dedicate myself to support mothers-to-be, mothers, birthing people and families to have well-supported, warm birth experiences and beyond, whatever their choices are.​ ​

I love being a mother of my 3 wonderful children – we laugh, cry and, of course, sometimes have arguments as well. I do love spending those colourful moments with them. I also love walking in the beautiful Welsh nature, going to the sea and spending time nurturing my creativity too.

Birth Doula support

“Mothering the mother” is my passion, as that was how I myself was encouraged and supported in my motherhood journey. You will be supported all the way through pregnancy to the early postpartum period so that you can relax with confidence.

My Birth Doula package includes 2-3 prenatal sessions, attending the birth and 2 postnatal visits.

In prenatal sessions, I provide support such as walking you through the birth process, how you would like to manage the birth, what to expect after the birth and how you can communicate efficiently with medical caregivers. 

At birth, you will be given gentle, calming and assuring support without disturbing your birthing world. You will also be supported to have good communication with healthcare providers.

In postnatal visits, I check in on how you and your family are getting on with your new journey with your baby physically, emotionally and practically. I will be there to assure you at this very start of motherhood/parenthood. 

Testimonials

Yr oedd Tomoko, yn ardderchog. Roedd hi gyda llawer o gyngor da i ni. Roedd y cyngor hyn wedi neud y brosses llawer yn rwyddach a hefyd yn llanw ni gyda hyder.  

I would highly recommend any expectant mother to have Tomoko support you through your birth journey. She gave me the confidence and self belief to have the home birth I wanted and empowered me. Tomoko is very wise, supportive and respectful and I am so happy I had the opportunity for her to be a part of my baby’s journey into the world.  KCC

Tomoko gave me confidence during labour as she had included me in everything. She gave me confidence in knowing the process of labour & birth and what to expect. She also helped me define what my role would be during labour. Tomoko was AMAZING! I highly recommend hiring a doula! She will put your fears at ease and help you through the emotional time.  RC (birthing mum’s partner)

I had a really wonderful birth experience with my 2nd baby and would not have done so without her help. Active labour took only 2.5 hours including around 20 minutes of pushing. I didn’t need medication and was in control of the labour. The discussions I had with Tomoko pre labour had given me the confidence to communicate to my midwife well during labour, which led to me and my midwife working well together. It was indeed an empowering experience. Post natal support was awesome as well, Tomoko is such a very caring person. Just can’t thank her enough.  Estrellita

Tomoko is a very kind and gentle soul. I found her presence to be calming and reassuring. EJ

The birth was not straight forward and was a week past due date which added some level of anxiety as my 1st one was born earlier so I expected the 2nd one to be even earliest. She supported me at every step of my pregnancy and birth journey, reassured and kept me calm when I passed my due date as I was quite emotional about it. The support at birth was invaluable – do really appreciate back massage, breathing together which gave me power towards the end of the birth which was not going the way I initially expected. Tomoko was very gentle all the time and I got exactly the level of support I needed without being disturbed from my own little birthing world 🙂 Thank you very much for your support Tomoko – I have only positive experiences from my birth with you 🙂  Tatiana

Birth Doula Packages:

Please visit https://www.yourbirthjourneydoula.com/birth-doula-support

Postnatal Doula Support

Giving birth is not actually an end goal in itself, but the start of your new journey as a mother and parent. 

The postnatal period is a crucial time in your life. Becoming empowered at this important point of your life will lead to confidence in your motherhood/parenthood journey.

You need loving and warm care after birth so that you can give loving and warm care to your baby.

When we had our first baby, we were lost. Everything was new to us! How do you care for a baby!? We had lots to learn! In addition, I couldn’t allow myself to rest in bed most of the time. I was pushing myself to do housework. As a result, I became unwell during the postnatal period. 

So, I trained as a Doula to support mums so that they don’t have to go through what I experienced! I have learnt that the postnatal period is such an important and sensitive time.

I use my extensive experience as a mother of 3 children and Doula to support mothers/parents to really look after themselves in this crucial period of time because that will lead you and your family to a happier and healthier life together.

Testimonial

Tomo is gentle, supportive and very efficient in the household. She is always happy to help with laundry and keeping the house tidy and clean whilst happily watching my older 2 children if needed. She is reliable and always on time with a smile on her face. A great addition to the family at such an important time. Thank you Tomo! X

Tomoko is respectful, kind, considerate, gentle and calm. She is also very friendly and knowledgeable. Having a postpartum doula was very worthwhile. She has helped with tasks such as dishes, hoovering, going to the store, and laundry. Family and friends get excited for the new baby but a doula has an element of professionalism. MO’H

Tomoko was very helpful with cleaning, laundry etc postnatally. She was always friendly, caring and supportive.  EJ

Postnatal Doula Packages:

Please visit https://www.yourbirthjourneydoula.com/postnatal-doula-support

Certified Birth Doula by Childbirth International

Completed Supporting Survivors in the Perinatal Period by Resilient Birth

Completed Birth Art by Birthing From Within

Certified Mother Nature Circle facilitator

For more details, please visit https://www.yourbirthjourneydoula.com/welcome

日本語でのサポートもしています。

ウェールズ全域とイングランドの一部（シュルーズベリー、バーミンガム、チェスターなど）: 実際にお産に立ち会うことも含めた対面でのサポート

イギリス全土: オンラインで、出産ドゥーラサポート、出産準備クラス、産後プラン作り講座、私らしい帝王切開講座など

ご興味ある方はyourbirthjourney.doula@gmail.comまでご連絡ください。