Since the beginning of time, women and birthing people have been cared for and nurtured as they become mothers and parents. During those tender early weeks and months of life with a new baby, people from the community - family, friends, neighbours - would surround them with support, wisdom, love and guidance. And a Doula's role is exactly that. I am a Recognised Birth Doula living in Hitchin in North Herts and provide birth doula support to families across Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Milton Keynes and Essex.
Photo by me, taken at a beautiful home birth
"If a doula were a drug, it would be unethical not to use it." - Dr John Kennell
Research shows that people who use a birth doula are:
- less likely to need induction
- less likely to have a caesarean birth
- less likely to use any pain medication
- more likely to rate their childbirth experience positively
As your doula I'll get to know you and your birth partner to learn more about your hopes and expectations. You will benefit from my continuous emotional, physical and practical support during pregnancy, labour, birth and the early days of parenthood. You'll be supported with your choices about birth and be able to draw on my knowledge and experience, providing you with suggestions and information to help you make informed decisions. My aims are for you to feel relaxed and confident, to ease the emotional experience of birth, to provide you with comfort, to protect your birth space so that the hormones of labour can work at their best, and support your birth wishes and parenting choices. My service will be individually tailored to meet your needs so that you are able to birth your baby however you feel is best for you.
BIRTH DOULA SUPPORT
- Complimentary initial consultation.
- Two antenatal visits to discuss your preferences and intentions for your birth and the early days of parenthood and to talk about any concerns you may have. You will be supported with exploring your options and preferences for birth and drawing up your birth plan.
- As well as these visits you will have unlimited support via phone/email/WhatsApp to answer any questions you might have during your pregnancy, early labour, and early postpartum period.
- On-call availability from 38-42 weeks until your baby is safely in your arms. I will do everything I can to be with you if you go into labour outside of the scheduled "on call" times.
- You will benefit from continuous emotional and practical support throughout your labour and birth. I can support you from the very beginning at home and accompany you to hospital or birthing centre or stay with you for a home birth.
- You will have use of aromatherapy essential oils if you wish.
- One postnatal visit, to reflect on your birth experience, offer support, make you a cuppa and celebrate the birth of your baby.
- A gift bag of nourishing and nurturing goodies.
- 50% discount on the following services: Placenta Encapsulation, Birth Photography, Hypnobirthing.
Investment: £1125
Current availability: no availability in 2024
My name is Sian and I am a doula, birth photographer, placenta remedies specialist and hypnobirthing practitioner supporting clients across Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex and Milton Keynes.