A bit about me...
Writing about myself is not a strength of mine but I've put a bit of information together to give you a bit of an idea of who I am and what it is I do. If you've attended any of the antenatal courses I've taught in the past then a huge Hello to you, and thanks you for being here! I often see parents I know out and about in the local area and its lovely to catch up and see how you and the little ones are doing, as you know, I'm right here for you if you need anything and I love the updates of how things are going with you :)
Being a Doula and local antenatal teacher is such a rewarding life. I know becoming a new parent is an incredible challenge on so many levels including physically, emotionally and practically. Parents need a village of support around them and modern life often doesn't provide for that, so this is where I can come in. I am an experienced Doula in a position to offer support to expectant and new parents at a time when they need it the most. I trained to be able to to this in an unbiased and professional way, while at the same time helping you to feel mothered and cared for in a relaxed way in your own home. I have a good understanding of evidence based practice and local maternity and perinatal services. Sometimes new parents need help and support to engage with these, other times its just the knowledge that someone is there to listen and support with a cup of tea (and slice of cake!) that can be enough. I have a special understanding of being a motherless mother and how it can feel to start the journey of motherhood without having that vital piece of support in place.
I am a Doula UK mentor and support new Doulas on their journey too, so if you're here to check out your mentored Doulas Mentor then Hello and welcome to you, please feel reassured that you're mentored Doula is well supported herself while she supports you. If you'd like to reach out to say Hi, you're absolutely welcome to.
I love my work supporting parents during their time of welcoming their new baby and I've been doing this for over 17 years while looking after my own growing family. my youngest (16y) has developmental and educational needs which has helped me understand and work with neurodiversity (he is also neurodivergent) and health challenges from a parents point of view. My background before starting to support parents was in biomedical and environmental sciences, a huge contrast you'd think (and yes, it sort of is..) but it also helps me not feel so intimidated by medical language and terminology and also to value up to date research and its relevance in the modern maternity system. The decision making around care can be a challenge and while its certainly not my role to make decisions for mums I believe it is my role to be there to support unconditionally with the decisions she makes for herself, her baby and her family.
As well as Doularing, teaching courses and looking after my own family, I love cooking, growing herbs in my garden and sitting with my elderly (grumpy!) cat :)
And here's a little bit about my birth supporter journey.. there's so much I could say, but here's a bit of an overview of the highlights so you get the idea of who I am and some of my most useful learned skills..
I have been working with expectant and new parents since 2008 as a birth and postnatal Doula, and teaching group antenatal classes for the NCT since 2012. I'm also a trained and qualified Lamaze Childbirth Educator (LCCE) and a fully trained and registered Hypnobirthing teacher with The Little Birth Company and the Mindful Breastfeeding School.
My journey began when I completed my Doula training with Nurturing Birth, and undertook the recognition process to become a recognised birth and postnatal Doula with Doula UK and Nurturing Birth, This all feels like so long ago and at the time I had no idea that this work would become my life's passion! After many years of experience I also became a Doula mentor with Doula UK, supporting new Doulas in their role both locally in the Midlands and across the UK.
As well as supporting many women and their families over the years I have also attended many courses, workshops and study days to enhance my knowledge and skills, including some wonderful ones which have shaped my practice in such an impactful way. These have included: an Acupressure course for labour with Debra Betts, a Waterbirth course led by Dianne Garland, several training days with Dr Sarah Buckley and obstetrician Michel Odent, Rebozo training with Rocío Alarcón, Spinning Babies with Gail Tully and Survivors Giving Birth with Penny Simkin. For postnatal support I have attended Jack Newmans' and The Breastfeeding Networks study days, twins and multiple specific Doula training to support twin births and postnatal care and also have additional NCT training to provide antenatal courses to parents expecting multiples. For baby care I have trained with Sleep, Baby and You to understand normal anthropological baby sleep and safe sleeping practices. I have also trained to provide placenta encapsulation services and closing-the-bones ceremonies for new mums.
In 2020 I completed training with the Mindful Breastfeeding School as a supporter and provider of antenatal breastfeeding preparation courses and can also provide 1-1 mindful breastfeeding preparation and support to new mums antenatally and postnatally. Specific to antenatal education I am a fully qualified NCT excellent practitioner, Lamaze childbirth educator and Little Birth Company Hypnobirthing instructor. I have a wealth of experience with many years supporting parents and I deeply recognise the rite of passage which bringing a new baby in to the family is and I love helping parents make the time of preparation as special as possible. I have held blessingway ceremonies for mums-to-be which have been incredibly moving and special moments.
I have five children of my own, my first daughter born in 1990 and my last birth, my little boy (not so little now!) was born in 2009. I've personally had two hospital births, two birth centre births and one homebirth. I have Doula supported families with a wide range of needs and birth experiences in different environments (planned and otherwise!) including homebirths and freebirths as well as in many of the hospitals and birth centres within about an hours radius of Rugby where I live, including UHCW, Warwick, George Eliot, Northampton General and both the Leicester hospitals (General and Royal).
