I live in Tynemouth & I’m a birth and post natal doula working across Tyneside and Northumberland. I started out as as a children’s nurse many years ago & until recently, I worked as a health visitor. I've always loved working with families, women and babies/children, though the truth is, I also always felt a little constrained by the structure and hierarchy in the system. I feel I didn’t really fit the mould & felt frustrated that I wasn’t able to be as creative or think ‘outside the box’ in the care I gave. I have always had an interest in pregnancy, birth and the motherhood and actually over the years, it’s been a favourite topic of conversation within our family. My sister and I both had home births, as did our mother, and we now have daughters who are a children’s nurse and a midwife and we all love nothing more, than talking all things mothers, pregnancy and babies! When I had my babies at home, I felt so empowered. I felt completely supported by women who recognised the importance of physiological birth and this really made all the difference to my birth experience. Fast forward many years, It was a conversation with my sister, that sparked a thought process which got me thinking: I thought about my own positive experience & how this should be every women’s experience, and how I might be able to help other women achieve this. After some 'gently persuasive’ conversations with my sister & some reflective pondering, I came to the conclusion that ‘yes, this is a brilliant idea…being a doula would be perfect for me’ . And so, I jumped straight in and joined my sister on a training course with the wonderful Doula Training Foundation.
Why would you want to employ me as your doula?
As a doula, I think the single most important thing I can do for you, is to listen. Acknowledging that our life experiences can have an impact on our journeys into motherhood, is hugely important and I think that the initial step is to listen to you and work out whether I am going to be a ‘good fit’ for you – whether I am going to be able to give you the support you are looking for. We know that having a doula can make so much difference to a woman during pregnancy, during her labour and birth and also as she settles into motherhood. Whether you’re planning a home birth, a c-section or anything in between, I am here to support you through this most amazing & transformative journey and help you have as calm, joyful & as empowering birth experience & transition into motherhood, as is possible.
I can offer you antenatal & birth support, providing steady reassurance, whilst supporting you emotionally & practically during pregnancy, labour & birth. I believe that all women should be loved, nurtured & cherished and that they should be encouraged to trust their instincts, believe in themselves and to be able to birth with dignity. I will help you access reliable information to guide & help you into making informed choices that are relevant to you and your baby. I will not make decisions for you, but I will work with you so as to ensure you receive the exact kind of help and support that you and your family need – what is important is that you have trust in me to be there for you. I will help you find your power and make sure you can confidently navigate birth, with me at your side.
I will be there to guide you and support you physically (if that’s what you want), whilst acknowledging that sometimes women simply like the reassurance of having someone they trust, quietly supporting & advocating for them, ensuring that their voice is heard. Birth can be unpredictable, but I will have your back – I will support you unconditionally & hold space for you. It is not always easy to ensure continuity of care in the maternity system, so this is my offering to you & the support I give you, will compliment the care you receive from your midwives – I will be an addition to your ‘team’.
I can support you postpartum as you adjust to the changes that come I love to provide the support that mothers so need & deserve as they make the beautiful transition into motherhood. ‘Mothering the mother’ is so important & I aim to take away many of the pressures of daily life, provide emotional support, reassurance and guidance during those early, often very emotional days. I can support you as you find your own rhythm and begin to navigate this amazing journey, settling into a new way of being with you beautiful baby. I can support you by helping you look after your baby, understanding baby & feeding behaviours, by doing a bit of cooking and housework, walking the dog or perhaps helping out with older children. I like to make a plan with you so as to tailor make your postpartum support to your specific needs, so that you feel prepared and organised. I also recognise the importance of listening to you once you have your beautiful baby in arms, and being able to tweak the plans so as to best meet your needs if they change.
A little bit about me…I am a mum of two fully fledged grown up children, Joe & Annie (26yr & 26yr), wife, doula, yogi and creative. I’m big into health, good food, and being outdoors – I love nothing more than walking or cycling with my husband in Northumberland, where we have a caravan and along our beautiful coast line here in Tynemouth where we live. I am a ‘new recipe’ fanatic, love love cooking and I’m a sourdough maker – obsessively making bread ever since lockdown! I have a love of yoga, the power of the mind / body connection and all the positive benefits it brings- so wherever I go, my mat goes too! I’m a yoga teacher & love to practice with my daughter, my sister and anyone else who shares my passion and wants to join me. I meet up with my sister Anna all the time, to either walk & talk with her dog, visit our dad in his wonderful care home or plan our next big family bash – these usually happen when one of our four grown up children returns home from the other side of the the globe!
My passion and desire to support women in their journeys towards motherhood originates in my own positive experiences and I am excited to have finally found my niche, and be the ‘wise women’ who enjoys ‘mothering the mother’.
The journey through pregnancy to birth and motherhood truly is a magical time and it’s a real honour to be able to play a part in this transformative journey which you will treasure all your life. If you think you might like me to support you, your birth partner and family during this exciting time in your life, please do get in touch – I would love to hear from you.
With doula love
Clare x
Ps you can find me on Instagram @themamatotodoula & my website is coming soon.
