Hi. I'm Tracy, married to Mark and mum of two grown up sons, James and Andrew. I grew up in West Bridgford and then lived in Sheffield for 13 years before moving back to Nottingham in 1994. We are very settled here and familiar with all the local child friendly services which we have used for many years. When I first read about the work of a postnatal doula I knew it was the perfect job for me. As a paediatric nurse I had grown disillusioned with the nursing profession but 'doulaing' was a job whereby I could still look after and care for mums and their babies and children. Time has proven me right and 20 years down the line I love the work I do and the different challenges and opportunities each new family brings. The main aim of my service is to help Mum for the first few weeks after baby is born, making her life a little easier and giving her chance to bond with the baby, establish breastfeeding (if that is what she chooses) and to get some rest and recover from the pregnancy and birth.This help takes the forms of practical and emotional support and I am happy to do light housework e.g shopping, washing and ironing, as well as helping with the cares of baby and other siblings, or just sitting and having a chat with mum about feeding, sleeping etc. I work mainly in the Nottinghamshire and north Leicestershire areas but I'm happy to travel further if necessary. As a paediatric nurse for 20 years I gained alot of experience looking after families, particularly mums, and their children with all sorts of health problems.Part of the job was to support mums during very stressful times and it is these skills and those I have gained in caring for babies and young children that I have brought with me to 'doulaing'. I also remember from my own experience as a mum how tired I felt with two little ones to care for and how lonely I felt sometimes when the babies were very little, on my own all day with no-one to talk to. So I also bring those memories with me into the job which also help me empathise and support new mums. I am fully insured and am DBS checked. I have been working as a doula since Nov 2000 and was one of the first members to join Doula UK. Many of my clients in that time have been 2nd, 3rd or 4th time mums but I have also worked with some 1st time mums. I've also worked with several families who have twins and really enjoy the challenges that they bring. Over the years I have gained a wealth of experience with babycare issues, breastfeeding, mums postnatal emotions and feelings, and helping siblings to adapt to and accept their new brother or sister.