PHILOSOPHY

My involvement in maternity care and wellbeing  is inspired by a belief in informed choice, respect, dignity, choice of place of birth and access to continuity-of carer for all women. 

I believe in a woman's freedom and right to birth in a safe, respectful and non-invasive environment and to be offered information and choices, with respect for her decisions. Every pregnant woman should be listened to.

WHY A DOULA?

Working with a doula and having continuity of carer during pregnancy, birth and the postnatal phase can bring huge benefits (Sandall et al 2015). Knowing a person who will be at your birth, with you and your partner, can make an enormous difference to  your wellbeing, your baby, partner and the wider family.

Findings in the Birthrights' "Dignity Survey" (2013) unequivocally show that the manner in which women are treated underpins the type of birth experience women have, no matter what type of birth.

I know that dignity, respect and compassion is crucial in all maternity care. My philosophy is that  from conception to six weeks after giving birth is a unique experience for each woman and whatever  pregnancy, birth, postnatal and breastfeeding experience you have, it is yours and must be honoured and respected.

For me, being a doula means travelling alongside you and your partner during this time and being there when asked. I am inspired and passionate about working with women who choose home birth. I gave birth at home four times, to my now, young adults. My confidence and passion is inspired by home birth.

I also enjoy and have a great deal of experience in supporting women who choose to give birth in a birth centre or stand-alone midwifery unit. I am also comfortable and have experience of labour and birth on labour wards, for women with complex needs; I am adept at normalising the experience of labouring in a room on labour ward, using the bed, birth balls, mats, lighting, music, essential oils and emotional support to your advantage, in induction of labour and other managed labours.

THE SIX WEEKS AFTER BIRTH

I am fascinated by the postnatal weeks - it is an extraordinary, intense and never to be forgotten phase of our lives. My own experience off the highs, lows and in-betweens of this time encouraged me to read and explore different cultural perspectives on the postnatal weeks. It is a time of immense change and transition, physically, emotionally, spiritually and all the accompanying emotions, hormones and breastfeeding can add to the potential feeling of overwhelm and the roller-coaster effect.

It is so helpful to receive care and attention during this time, to share fears and anxieties, to remind you that rest is crucial, to help with visitors and expectations; this is a time in your life when you and your baby come first, followed by your partner....everyone else can wait! 

BACKGROUND

I studied Social Anthropology at  Edinburgh University, with 6 months fieldwork in a small village in rural Malaysia. I learnt about the traditions and rituals of pregnancy, childbirth and the postnatal period, which started my interest in maternity care systems and how both medical and more traditional belief systems interact to support physical and psychological health and wellbeing.

I studied movement and dance (Trinity Laban, 1990) and am a 5Rhythms teacher.

I trained as a doula in 2004, with Michel Odent and Lilliana Lammers and worked as a doula for 5 years before deciding to train as a midwife.

I qualified as a midwife in 2014 (BSc Kings University, London). During my training I spent time in a home birth and mental health provision team, where mental health was at the forefront of all interactions with women and their partners

I worked as a midwife in a North London hospital with a particularly diverse demographic and gained experience ofI working with women from various minority religious and cultural backgrounds, which enriched my learning and which I loved.

I have trained and am a breastfeeding peer counsellor. I worked for two years at the Southwark funded,  breastfeeding cafe in Peckham Library. 

I now work as a doula so that I can both offer more continuity of care and balance my work-home life.

I  have four, now young people, all born at home. The midwives who looked after me and who were at their births are, of course,  my inspiration.