I am a birth and postnatal doula based in South London
The birth of your baby is a unique experience and one that you will remember for the rest of your life. And while it is impossible to predict exactly what will happen, it is very important that you are treated with compassion and care, that you feel listened to, supported and safe, so that you can look back on your baby’s birth with happy memories.

What is a doula and what do we do?
When I told my 16 year-old son that I was becoming a doula, he said, “So will you be douling? Do you doule?"
I’m not sure if ’to doule’ is a verb, but I guess that is what I do!

The word “doula” comes from a Greek word meaning “woman’s servant”. As your doula my job is to support you in the final weeks of your pregnancy, during your labour and the birth, and in the first few weeks with your new baby. I will provide you and your family with information, and practical and emotional support. A doula is not medically trained and does not replace the job of the midwife or doctor, We work alongside them to give you continuous support throughout your labour, your baby’s birth and the postnatal period.
Pregnancy and childbirth can be overwhelming and you may not always understand what you are being told or advised by your midwife or doctor. I will answer any questions you may have to help you make informed decisions about your and your baby’s care.

Pregnancy and birth support
Throughout your pregnancy and if you give birth in hospital during your labour, you are likely to meet many different midwives and other health professionals. But you will only have one doula, a familiar face who advocates for you and speaks up in support of you and your preferences. I can provide physical support, which could include encouraging you to move around, massaging your back, breathing with you, etc. And I will give you emotional support to help you to feel in control and confident by praising and reassuring you, and by simply being there with you.

Postnatal support
In the first few weeks when you adjust to life with your new baby while recovering from the birth, you may need a little help. You may feel nervous caring for the baby, you may need help and support with feeding or bathing them, etc. Or you may simply want someone to talk to. I can provide any postnatal support you need.

A doula will only offer information, I will not give advice. This may sound confusing, but there is a big difference; I am not you. Advice is when people steer you in the direction of what worked for them, or even tell you what to do. “You should do this, it’s amazing!”, “If I were you I’d do it this way.”, “Why would you want to do that?”  All of that, however well-meaning, is advice based on their own experiences and preferences. But just because it worked for them, doesn’t mean that it’s right for you. I remember when my first son was born, I had worked out before I even left the hospital that you could ask five different people the same question and get five completely different answers. And there is no right or wrong, it’s just that everyone does things differently. So I will not tell you what to do or judge your choices, I will simply give you your options and tell you about their advantages and disadvantages, so that you will have all the information you need to choose what is best for you.

I cover most of South London and parts of Kent, Sussex and Surrey within about an hour’s drive
of where I live in South East London near Croydon.

Call me on 07752 253499 to book a free no obligation visit

There is evidence to show
that having a doula can mean:

- A shorter labour
- Reduced risk of Caesarean birth
- Reduced rate of induction of labour
- Reduced risk of instrumental birth
- Reduced need for painkillers or an epidural
- Increased likelihood of initiating breastfeeding
- Increased likelihood of successfully establishing breastfeeding
- Increased parental satisfaction with the birth experience
- Lower incidence of depressive symptomatology
(https://doula.org.uk/research/)

“Research has shown that women who received continuous labour support may be more likely to give birth 'spontaneously', i.e. give birth vaginally with neither ventouse nor forceps. In addition, women may be less likely to use pain medications or to have a caesarean birth, and may be more likely to be satisfied and have shorter labours. Continuous support in labour may improve a number of outcomes for both mother and baby, and no adverse outcomes have been identified. Continuous support from a person who is present solely to provide support, is not a member of the woman's own network, is experienced in providing labour support, and has at least a modest amount of training (such as a doula), appears beneficial.”
(https://www.cochrane.org/CD003766/PREG_continuous-support-women-during-childbirth)

I look forward to meeting you!