BIRTH DOULA
"If I don't know my options, I don't have any" - Diana Korte
As your doula, I will provide continuity of care with emotional, physical and informational support to feel prepared for the birth of your baby. If you have a partner or other birth companion I will help them feel confident to be able to bring comfort to you in the way you need them to, achieving your best birth team for a positive birth.
There is growing evidence that having a doula brings a number of tangible benefits, from reducing intervention rates, shortening labour to increasing satisfaction for parents. Whilst this research is important, it's also the less tangible benefits of having someone walk along side you during a life-altering event that most birthing people remember and value. I've written more about doula's here.
There is growing evidence that having a doula brings a number of tangible benefits, from reducing intervention rates, shortening labour to increasing satisfaction for parents. Whilst this research is important, it's also the less tangible benefits of having someone walk along side you during a life-altering event that most birthing people remember and value. I've written more about doula's here.
BIRTH DOULA SUPPORT OPTIONS - TAILOR YOUR JOURNEY
BIRTH CARE PACKAGE
- 3 birth preparation antenatal sessions (usually 2-3 hours each)
- Ongoing support whenever you have a question or would like to talk and share how you feel
- Attending appointments with you if required
- On call everyday 24/7 from 38 weeks of your pregnancy
- Staying with you throughout labour & for a few hours afterwards until you are settled and comfortable
- Two postnatal visits at home to reflect on your birth, give practical help and provide information
PREMIUM BIRTH CARE PACKAGE
- 3 birth preparation antenatal sessions (usually 2-3 hours each)
- Private Hypnobirthing Course (6 hours usually taught over 2 sessions) (this can be taught on Zoom)
- Ongoing support whenever you have a question or would like to talk and share how you feel
- Attending appointments with you if required
- On call everyday 24/7 from 38 weeks of your pregnancy
- Staying with you throughout labour & for a few hours afterwards until you are settled and comfortable
- Two postnatal visits at home to reflect on your birth, give practical help and provide information
- Postnatal Recovery Massage in your home to support your physical healing and to balance your emotions
TOTAL BIRTH CARE PACKAGE
- 3 birth preparation antenatal sessions (usually 2-3 hours each)
- Private Hypnobirthing Course (6 hours usually taught over 2 sessions) (this can be taught on Zoom)
- Essential oils kit for birth and beyond - personalised doTerra kit
- Ongoing support whenever you have a question or would like to talk and share how you feel
- Attending appointments with you if required
- On call everyday 24/7 from 38 weeks of your pregnancy
- Staying with you throughout labour & for a few hours afterwards until you are settled and comfortable
- Two postnatal visits at home to reflect on your birth, give practical help and provide information
- Additional 8 hours of postnatal support to be within three months after the birth
- Postnatal Recovery Massage in your home to support your physical healing and to balance your emotions
PLANNED CAESAREAN BIRTH PACKAGE
- 2 birth preparation antenatal sessions (usually 2-3 hours each)
- Hypnobirthing for caesarean course
- Ongoing support whenever you have a question or would like to talk and share how you feel
- Attending appointments with you if required
- Supporting you on the day. If you have a birth partner in theatre with you, I can be there beforehand to help you to feel calm, and afterwards to give practical and emotional support, ensure you are comfortable and can help with babies first feed
- Five hours of postnatal support at home to reflect on your birth, give practical help and provide information
MORE INFORMATION
Birth preparation sessions
The focus of the birth preparation sessions are for us to get to know each other and for you to clarify your hopes and wishes. You will be given balanced, evidence based information so that you can make informed decisions. Each session will be tailored for you, but as a guideline, we will cover the following:
Birth preparation sessions
The focus of the birth preparation sessions are for us to get to know each other and for you to clarify your hopes and wishes. You will be given balanced, evidence based information so that you can make informed decisions. Each session will be tailored for you, but as a guideline, we will cover the following:
- Birth physiology – the labouring body and how to create an optimal environment for you, your baby, and essential birth hormones
- Discussing your hopes and your fears - addressing each one to help ease anxieties
- How you might expect to feel during labour and suggestions for managing each stage, including tools for birth partners
- Pain management – exploring all of your options for pharmaceutical and holistic support such as using essential oils and acupressure
- Your birth preferences - clarify your wishes and help you to complete your birth plan / preferences to accompany your medical notes
- Ways to reduce adrenaline and feel calm in pregnancy and during labour
- Discuss any specific topics relevant to you and your personal situation
- Information on feeding and baby care essentials
- Guiding you on what to pack in your hospital bag and other practical information
- Postnatal care plan - what you might like to consider to prepare for this transformative time
On call 24/7 from 38 weeks of pregnancy and attending the birth
Ready to attend your birth throughout this time and be available for you contact me if you have any questions, or need a reassuring ear.
During labour
I will support you with comfort measures, including your breathing, position and massage and bring a calm, intuitive presence and a positive energy to the birth room. The role of a doula is not to replace your partner or birth companion, but to support them to support you, offering guidance, balanced information and practical help, including for caesarean birth and induction of labour. I protect and hold the birth space, ensuring you understand your options and can communicate with healthcare professionals, as per your wishes. I fully recognise and value the role of midwives and work alongside them, building rapport to create a positive, fully supported birth environment.
READ A DAD'S EXPERIENCE OF HIRING A DOULA ON MY BIRTH STORIES PAGE.
Once you have had your baby
I will stay with you to help you to feel settled and comfortable and can support you with feeding your baby. I will then visit you twice once you are at home, to de-brief the birth, answer questions and signpost further support as needed.
What to know more?
I offer a free consultation so that we can get to know each other and talk about how best I can support you. Please call or email me or use the enquiry form below. I look forward to hearing from you.
Doula UK Approved
I am delighted to be a registered mentored doula with Doula UK, the leading organisation for doulas in the UK.
Ready to attend your birth throughout this time and be available for you contact me if you have any questions, or need a reassuring ear.
During labour
I will support you with comfort measures, including your breathing, position and massage and bring a calm, intuitive presence and a positive energy to the birth room. The role of a doula is not to replace your partner or birth companion, but to support them to support you, offering guidance, balanced information and practical help, including for caesarean birth and induction of labour. I protect and hold the birth space, ensuring you understand your options and can communicate with healthcare professionals, as per your wishes. I fully recognise and value the role of midwives and work alongside them, building rapport to create a positive, fully supported birth environment.
READ A DAD'S EXPERIENCE OF HIRING A DOULA ON MY BIRTH STORIES PAGE.
Once you have had your baby
I will stay with you to help you to feel settled and comfortable and can support you with feeding your baby. I will then visit you twice once you are at home, to de-brief the birth, answer questions and signpost further support as needed.
What to know more?
I offer a free consultation so that we can get to know each other and talk about how best I can support you. Please call or email me or use the enquiry form below. I look forward to hearing from you.
Doula UK Approved
I am delighted to be a registered mentored doula with Doula UK, the leading organisation for doulas in the UK.
SHARED CARE
I have the privilege of working with other doulas, and sometimes I work with them to offer shared care.
We support you as a team. We both meet you during the antenatal birth preparation sessions, for you to get to know us both equally and for us to understand your wishes. We then share a rota with you for the on call period, and then one of us will come to be with you when you are in labour. Depending on how things go, and the length of your labour, we can offer to swap, so you get a refreshed doula to continue supporting you if you would welcome that. We don't charge more because there are two of us, we just like working together. As doulas it's nice to share ideas, and support each other. For the birthing person and their partner, it means they get two doulas, who align in ethos and values, but who both bring different skills.
The doulas in my shared care team are Mal Downing and Reba Guest. Depending on where you live and your estimated due date, I will let you know which of the doulas in my shared care team is available to support with me, and then you can meet us both to make your decision.
I have the privilege of working with other doulas, and sometimes I work with them to offer shared care.
We support you as a team. We both meet you during the antenatal birth preparation sessions, for you to get to know us both equally and for us to understand your wishes. We then share a rota with you for the on call period, and then one of us will come to be with you when you are in labour. Depending on how things go, and the length of your labour, we can offer to swap, so you get a refreshed doula to continue supporting you if you would welcome that. We don't charge more because there are two of us, we just like working together. As doulas it's nice to share ideas, and support each other. For the birthing person and their partner, it means they get two doulas, who align in ethos and values, but who both bring different skills.
The doulas in my shared care team are Mal Downing and Reba Guest. Depending on where you live and your estimated due date, I will let you know which of the doulas in my shared care team is available to support with me, and then you can meet us both to make your decision.
SHARED CARE DOULA TEAM
Mal Downing
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MAL DOWNING
Mal lives in North Cornwall with her two children, husband and dogs. She is a recognised Doula UK birth doula and the Doula UK rep for Devon and Cornwall. Words from Mal: "I see birth as the most miraculous and life-changing event in a woman’s life. Just as it takes a village to raise a child, I believe it also takes a great team effort (from your birth partner, doula, midwives) to support you on your birth journey. You need someone who will calmly, but confidently remind you how strong you are and how wonderfully you are coping. Someone who will take care of you and make you feel safe, relaxed and confident in your body’s incredible abilities to bring your baby into the world. Someone who will help you understand your options to make the informed, thus empowering, decisions. Someone who truly understands what you are going through and knows how to respond to your needs". |
Reba Guest
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REBA CHIPMAN-GUEST
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