When you Choose me as your Doula

Overview

• Initial meeting where we check that we are a good fit for eachother (this can be a call if you prefer)

• whatsapp group with you and your birth partner/s for all your burning questions and info exhange

• calls and video calls as needed/wanted

• Two or three antenatal meetings (details below) - between 6 and 10 hours usually

• Back up doula in case of broken legs or natural disasters.

• Access to my resources (details below)

• On call from 39 weeks

• Unwavering support during your birth

• Postnatal visit/s

• Virtual support during your postnatal period

What do Antenatal meetings look like?

• usually, 2 sessions of 2-3 hours long, in the comfort of your home, at a time to suit you

• totally bespoke to you, we can include as much of my antenatal education as you like

• you have space to talk, space to tell me what you want and how you are feeling and I will listen. There are not many times in daily life where we are deeply listened to and it can do us a lot of good.

• We explore your plans, wishes, expectations, fears, doubts, expertise and gaps in knowledge.

• Together, if you wish, we work towards the birth plans for you and your family that is led by evidence based information

• I do not have an opinion of the type of birth that is best for you. I am here to support you in your choices.

• You can reach me anytime by email, call and text from when we first meet - any worries or questions you can get in touch

On call

• From 39 weeks or earlier if you have reason to think you will birth earlier

• You can reach me immediately, night and day by phone call. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

• If you have a worry, a question, something you feel silly asking, or you do not want to be judged - call me

• You decide when you want me with you in labour

• If you give birth before 39 weeks then I will do everything I can to be there, or a back up might be able to attend if I can’t

Support during your whole birth

• Physical, emotional and information support from the first moment you are in labour until your baby is born

• Let me know when you go into labour, if you’re not sure, give me a call anytime - I will never mind if it all quietens down again.

• We will be in touch and you will know instinctively when you would like me to be there with you. If you are unsure, I can always come by for a bit and go home again if you would like to see me but don’t need me for long. Everyone is different.

• I'll stay until you and the baby are settled and happy for me to leave

At least one postnatal visit

• Some people prefer next day (another bonus of having the shared care team of doulas - fresh pair of hands for next day!), some families find they want a week or two to get settled before we come round for a debrief and a cuddle.

• perhaps your partner goes back to work after a couple of weeks, or days, and you would like me to pop in for some reassurance

• You can talk to me, this is a time for you to be truly listened to

• If you have practical things that you would like to be done, I can do those too.

• If you’d like more than one visit you can book postnatal support during pregnancy or after your baby is here.

Support for 6 weeks after the birth

• you might have a whole lot of new questions that cannot be covered in an hour postnatal visit,

• call or text me and you can speak to someone who has known you for months and was at your birth,

• I always adore hearing how you are getting on and seeing some baby photos, you can keep in touch as much or as little as you want.

• I offer occasional postnatal support, give me a call to see if I’m available or take a look here to see my packages.

Breastfeeding support

• if you want it, for as long as you need

• breastfeeding is a choice, often hampered by challenges that can be overcome by enough of the right support

• So often we face high expectations without adequate support - I will do all I can to help you to meet your goals

• if you make the choice not to breastfeed I support you too

• I am training to be a Breastfeeding Counsellor with the ABM (started January 2019, 24 month course). If I have met you in my role as a Breastfeeding Counsellor then I can refer to you to another doula who will be able to support you. If you are a doula client, you may benefit from my breastfeeding knowledge and experience but only ever free of charge.

Read more testimonials here.

Equipment and tools

I have my doula bag full of tools and tricks…but these might be things that you were thinking about hiring, that you can borrow from me for free.

• Birth Pool

• TENS Machine

• Books

Area I cover

Ask if you don’t see where you live below - sometimes I travel further.

You deserve a doula

All the above for £1,800

Birth experiences last us a lifetime, invest in yourself, your partner and your baby.

If you have any concerns about money, you can talk to me. If I can offer you a discount, a payment plan or a skill swap - I will. I work on a trust basis, if you have enough to pay then I ask that you do. If you feel that I am a bargain and would like to give more, that money goes towards supporting family’s who would not otherwise be able to have a doula. My clients’ generosity and compassion has changed some families’ lives.

Alongside paid work, I volunteer with Doulas Without Borders who provide free of charge doulas to some of the UK's most vulnerable mothers. As a collective The Good Birth Practice donate £25 of every birth towards family based charities. Everyone who wants one deserves to have a doula.

As a member of Doula UK (DUK), my practice reflects the Doula UK philosophy and the Doula UK code of conduct.

Doula UK has a voucher scheme, so friends and family can buy you a portion of your birth care or some postnatal hours.

If you are in need of free support please contact Doulas Without Borders.