Student Birth Doula: “As your Doula, I am here to support you to empower yourself through informed choice; and to stand with you as you navigate your way through pregnancy and birth towards life with your newborn”.
Your Body, Your Choice: Whatever choices you make about your pregnancy and your birth - whether it’s an elected caesarean or a drug-free home birth - I am here to listen without judgement, to support you, and to advocate for your choices.
Trust Your Instincts: We will work together to hear your inner voice; to give it the attention it deserves, and to allow that voice to guide you towards meeting your baby.
Every Step of the Way: From our first meeting, I will be by your side. Together, we will tailor a care package to suit your interests and your needs: from organising a beautiful Mother Blessing Ceremony for you with your friends, to using my skills to offer Pregnancy Massage; to simply coming with you to an appointment, or sitting down to explore your birth choices. Whether you are pregnant with a partner or not, our pre-natal sessions will be focused towards encouraging you to feel prepared and confident as you move towards birth and parenthood. I will be with you throughout your labour and birth, and can be there in the weeks afterwards to support your transition into life with your newborn.
A Little Bit About Me: Birth work brings together all of my passions - Women's rights, care, therapeutic work, advocacy and communication. My work as a Doula puts me in service to the absolute awesomeness of the human body and the human spirit, and the pivotal role our wellbeing plays in the wellbeing of the world.
My fascination with birth began with me as a young girl, pouring over my mother's copy of Dr Spock's Baby book. When I became pregnant in 2013, I awakened to a world of complexity, beauty and challenges. It seemed as though everyone had an opinion about my body and my baby – my midwife, my family, friends, baby books, websites… I had so many decisions to make, and although I was usually so certain and strong-minded, I actually felt quite unsure and vulnerable. Eventually I realised that I needed to learn to trust my instincts, and to find my inner compass amidst a sea of expectations, conventions and protocols.
I gave birth to my daughter at home with the support of 2 wonderful NHS midwives and a Doula. It was then that I came to understand the power and privilege of having someone there to accompany me throughout that huge transition without judgement. I decided then that I wanted to become a birth worker, supporting women to empower themselves through the birthing journey, and making this support accessible to all. My work with Doulas without Borders, and Conscious Birthing, is part of this commitment.
Aside from birth work, I have been involved with women-focused projects since my time at Leeds University, when I brought the first Community Production of the Vagina Monologues to the UK in 2001. I went on to run a women-only theatre production company, before working with Lynne Franks at the SEED network. I have been involved in running women's circles for the past 8 years, where I have learned the importance of women-centred networks of support. More recently, I have been making and touring a documentary film and community-building project called wetheuncivilised, A Life Story, which looks at ecology, spirituality, activism and what it means to be a human being at this time of environmental and sociological crisis. The film asks – How can our actions honour future generations?
To arrange an introductory chat over the phone, please email me: givebirthdoula@gmail.com
Areas Covered: Abergavenny, Bristol, Hereford, Forest of Dean, Monmouth, Ross-On-Wye - enquiries welcome!
