I am a mother of 3 (now grown up) children, all born in the local midwife-led unit in Oxfordshire. I live with my 2 dogs and a cat in a vibrant village, where I get involved in various community organisations, including parent and infant support groups and the performing arts. My background is scientific (I have a degree in microbiology and biochemistry), but I gave up working in the formal sector when I had my first child in 2001. Since then, I have been self-employed, as both a music teacher since 2003 and a doula since 2012.  I was inspired by my own births to support women and birthing people to have a more positive birthing experience.  

As a birth doula, my role is to enable the parents to make informed choices, and then to support them on their journey, whichever route they follow. A lot of work is done in the preparation for birth, both in terms of education and in terms of navigating the system. You have more choices than you may realise! When with you in labour, I see my role as supporting and "holding the space" for you, so that you can get on with the vital job in hand, without too much distraction. I also provide support for the birthing person's partner, enabling them to best assist her with whatever she needs at the time. 

As a post-natal doula, I will do whatever is required in order to help the mother/baby unit to bond and settle into their new life together. The "babymoon" is an important period, during which mother and baby get to know each other, and a doula can fulfil the role which the modern day extended family often cannot, i.e. allowing the mother to concentrate on her baby, without the distractions of day-to-day household chores. I particularly support breastfeeding, but will help with whichever feeding regime the mother has decided on. This includes helping with specific breastfeeding problems (such as tongue-tie, mastitis, thrush or poor latch), as well as general support such as making meals, doing laundry, holding baby so that you can have a shower, taking baby for a walk, and helping with older siblings. 

As both a birth doula and a post-natal doula, I enable parents to feel empowered, so that they believe in themselves and is therefore more likely to be able to birth beautifully and nurture their newborn as desired. 

I was trained in May 2012 by Kate Woods of Conscious Birthing. I have also had training with Penny Simkin, Mary Cronk, Shawn Walker and Sally Inch and others. I have experience of births at home, in hospital, and and in midwife-led units - I will support people in whichever environment they feel most comfortable and safe. My experience includes water birth, instrumental delivery and Caesarian Section (planned and unplanned).  I use a variety of techniques and specialities, including Rebozo, acupressure, massage, homeopathy and aromatherapy, as required. I am not a hypnobirthing practitioner, but am happy to support birthing mothers using these techniques. I have training and experience in supporting those who have experienced trauma (from sexual abuse or previous birth experiences), and who need extra help in finding their courage to have a positive birth.  I also have birth and postnatal experience with twins. I have a small library of books and DVDs, which I will gladly lend to clients at no extra charge. I have a thirst for scientific knowledge, and keep up to date with evidence-based research into birth and breastfeeding.

Note: I sometimes use "mother", "breastfeeding" and she/her pronouns to describe the birthing person, but I am very comfortable using other terms in support of LGBTQI+ families. Please let me know what you need. xx