Your baby's birth day is also yours - a rebirth as you transition from maiden to newborn mother. It's a seismic shift - physically, mentally, and emotionally. With over 25 years of experience supporting women and their families, you can be confident that I have the knowledge, skills, and tools to help you navigate this change with ease.
Originally based in East London, I recently moved to North Nottinghamshire, where I now offer my services within a one-hour drive from Retford (DN22 7_). Having been well-established in the South for so long, with a great network of fellow birth workers and word-of-mouth clients, I decided to join Doula UK via the 'Alternative Pathways' programme to help me connect with clients—as well as other local doulas and birth workers in my new area.
As such, I'm currently considered a 'mentored doula' under the beautiful guidance of my wonderful mentor and teacher, Nicola Goodall, with whom I originally trained through Red Tent Doulas. Our work as doulas is always evolving. It's a beautiful sisterhood to be part of. As I work towards becoming a 'recognised doula' with Doula UK, I'm looking to connect with families willing to support me on this journey. This would simply involve signing a form before we begin working together, confirming your kind agreement to work with me, and completing an online response form afterwards to answer questions about your experience. By way of thanks for your kindness and support, I'm currently offering my Birth and Postnatal Doula services at a reduced price. If this sounds good, I'd love to chat with you.
It's really important to me that you receive the right care for you and your baby. I don't believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. I prefer to create bespoke packages to suit individual wants, needs and budgets; incorporating elements of the wide variety of additional birth and postpartum services I offer, should these be of interest.
I warmly invite you to join me for a virtual cuppa. This is an opportunity for us to have a very informal chat to see if we'd be a good fit to work together. If so, we can then start planning a way forward!
I really look forward to meeting you.
With love,
Helen x
A bit about me...
For the best part of sixteen years, I worked as a teacher and senior school leader in primary schools across Kent and East London. In 2015, I decided it was time to shake things up a bit! Having always been fascinated by neuroscience and passionate about helping others, I decided to study Applied Positive Psychology and Coaching. During this time, I also became a mother, which altered the trajectory of my studies—and my life—in the most magnificent and unexpected ways!
I now combine my work as a doula, offering birth and postpartum education and support, with my work as a certified and accredited Emotional Health Coach specialising in anxiety and emotional well-being. Whilst I believe that everyone deserves to live free from the limitations of anxiety, I am especially passionate about supporting expectant, new, and experienced mothers.
Having trained with the legendary Katharine Graves (KG Hypnobirthing) and the powerhouse of the birthing world that is Kemi Birth Joy Johnson, I first set up my business offering group, in-person antenatal and hypnobirthing classes. I then trained as a Placenta Remedies Specialist, and after several successful years in business—coupled with my teaching background—I was offered the role of London-based training instructor for IPEN (International Placenta Network). When COVID hit, my teaching inevitably moved online, which actually worked out surprisingly well and has been a complete game-changer, enabling me to work with clients all over the world!
In the meantime, I trained as a Breastfeeding Peer Supporter with the Breastfeeding Network (BfN), supporting expectant and new mums across East London and online. In 2017, I co-founded The Tower Hamlets Family Meet Up with my dear friend and baby-wearing queen, Mel Pinet (Wrap-A-Hug), which quickly became known as "The Village in the City." We later started a Mothers' Sharing Circle, offering a "Brave Space" for expectant and new mums to talk, share, and be held.
I waited until my own children were both in school before "officially" offering my services as a birth doula, although I was occasionally invited to offer my support to close friends (such an honour!). My earliest "official" birth clients were antenatal clients who then requested my support at their births, and so it went from there. I have supported births in home settings—on land and in water—in hospital settings (including theatre), birth centres, and even on a narrowboat! I have supported first-time parents, second-time parents, and even a family welcoming their third baby at home following several losses and a previous c-section. I offered virtual doula support throughout COVID, and I have also given birth twice myself—once in a midwife-led birth centre and once at home.
Fancy a chat? 👉 Book a call
With love,
Helen x
