Overview
What is a Doula?
A doula is a knowledgeable companion that supports the birth family through labour, birth and postpartum care. The desire to have a doula is becoming more appealing as a vital element of care has been lost from the process of childbirth. Stretched resources mean there often isn’t continuity in providing nurturing care for the new mother, to guide by experience and help with the practicalities that need to be performed before, during and after a woman gives birth to her baby.
About
Meet Sarah
An American-British mother of three, I was profoundly inspired by my own experience with a wonderful doula for the birth of our third child. The calm, happy energy was so powerfully reassuring before, during and after our son’s birth that I felt compelled to pursue qualification.
I have attended Michel Odent and Lilianna Lammers’ doulas course and gained my accredited status (Doula UK) with Kicki Hansard. Supplemental education on lactation/breastfeeding with Indira Lopez Bassols.
My passion and commitment is to share this knowledge and offer meaningful assistance to a family finding the right path for the happiest and safest birth.
Additional Completed Courses
Born to Carry Peer Support Course
Association of Birth & Baby Professionals Tounge Tie Course
BirthBliss Aspiring Doula Course
Services
My Birth Doula Service
As a birth doula, I will provide a caring, nurturing and supportive environment for you and your partner. Whether at home or hospital, I remain by your side throughout your labour and birth, however long that may be.
I do not provide medical advice but offer supportive dialogue to enable you to make the individual decisions for the best possible birth experience. During antenatal, we will discuss your vision for your baby’s birth and help in writing your birth plan. In our postnatal time, we will reflect on your birth experience but I will also offer support with breast or bottle feeding.
My service includes:
- Two antenatal visits
- 24/7 on-call from weeks 38-42
- The birth itself
- One postnatal
- Ongoing email & telephone support
Services
My Birth Doula Service
As a birth doula, I will provide a caring, nurturing and supportive environment for you and your partner. Whether at home or hospital, I remain by your side throughout your labour and birth, however long that may be.
I do not provide medical advice but offer supportive dialogue to enable you to make the individual decisions for the best possible birth experience. During antenatal, we will discuss your vision for your baby’s birth and help in writing your birth plan. In our postnatal time, we will reflect on your birth experience but I will also offer support with breast or bottle feeding.
My service includes:
- Two antenatal visits
- 24/7 on-call from weeks 38-42
- The birth itself
- One postnatal
- Ongoing email & telephone support
Services
My Postnatal Doula Service
I am very passionate about postnatal doula support! As a postnatal doula, I will be there to facilitate a smooth transition to becoming a new mother. The early weeks can be overwhelming – a friendly, understanding and supportive doula is invaluable.
My aim is to enable new mothers to spend this special time with their baby by taking away some of the pressures of ‘day-to-day’ living. In many cultures, women are encouraged to spend lengths of time resting and bonding with their baby, not rushed to resume their pre-baby schedule.
Services
Birth Doula Packages
Initial Meeting
First meeting is free of charge. There is no ‘right’ time during your pregnancy to engage a doula. Contact me for more information!
Antenatal
Two sessions for us to discuss your requirements and ensure we meet your individual needs. We may discuss birth physiology, how hormones work, comfort measures and general birth preferences.
Birth
24/7 on-call from weeks 38-42! You decide when you are ready for me to join you, whether it’s as soon as something is happening or into established labour.
Postnatal
I will visit twice to reflect on the birth experience and any concerns with baby such as sleeping or feeding. I am here in whatever capacity to help you feel supported and secure in your role as a new mother.
Contact
Let’s talk about how we can work together to give you a safe, comfortable, positive birthing experience.
Benefits of a Doula
Continuous support research shows that having a doula present at a birth can:
- Shorten first-time labour by an average of 2 hours
- Decrease the chance of caesarean section by 50%
- Decrease the chance of vacuum or forceps assisted delivery by 30%
- Decrease the need for pain medication
- Help partners participate with con fidence
- Increase success in breastfeeding
- Decrease viewing their birth negatively by 33%
