A little bit about me in the meantime….

I have 2 daughters, aged 16 and 11, a husband and a Great Dane and we live in Portslade near Brighton, just at the foot of the South Downs. I love it here - being so close to the sea, and the countryside gives me lots of chances to get out into nature.

I wanted to be a doula long before I even knew what a doula was! To support women and families throughout pregnancy, birth, and in the postnatal period. And this desire came from my own experiences of birthing, breastfeeding, and learning how I wanted to mother my own two daughters. My journey over the last 16 years - with its ups and downs - has really fuelled my interest in the world of birth and parenting.

Alongside being a doula, I am also a breastfeeding peer support volunteer at my local hospital. I’ve been doing it for 6 years now and I absolutely love meeting and listening to women and their families and supporting them to start and sustain a positive breastfeeding journey.

I don’t think a birth has to go a certain way to be a positive one. Whichever way you give birth, if you feel informed, supported and in control every step of the way then chances are you will look back on your birth experience with positivity and pride!

The continuity of care that a doula provides is key to this – we know that it is so beneficial to have a familiar person with you during labour, and I love being that person. Someone that you have got to know during your pregnancy, who is there for you and your birth partner from start to finish, the person who has your back and can help you find the answer to any questions you might have, help you advocate for yourselves, trust your instincts, stay relaxed - and keep that oxytocin flowing!

Postnatally, a doula can provide such important support as well. I love being there for families in the fourth trimester, helping to ease that transition into family life and navigate your new or changing role as parents.

As well as soaking up everything I can about birth, breastfeeding, and feminism, I like to spend any spare time I have crafting, baking, and watching 90-minute disaster movies! I also love a bit of yoga, and dog training.

Services I offer:

Birth Support: £1500 (£900 while mentored)

During your pregnancy we will all get to know each other and work out how best I can support you. This will look different for everybody, but I can provide information and antenatal education about what to expect from labour and birth, which will give you the confidence to advocate for yourself. I can settle first time nerves or talk about previous labours. Ultimately, we will explore what YOU need to feel safe enough to trust your body and feel into your instincts and intuition. I aim to be a constant, calming presence, during pregnancy and throughout labour, enabling you to look forward to your birth without fear. It can also be so comforting for a birth partner to have the support of a doula - they are most definitely included in the bubble of support!

Postnatal Support: £300 for each 12-hour block (£240 while mentored)

The postnatal period is a time to slow things down, take time to recover and enjoy your new baby, or babies! The importance of feeling supported and cared for postnatally should never be underestimated - it can have a massive impact on your health and happiness going forward. Some of the things I can help you with will be breastfeeding, hearing and chatting about your birth story, helping with your newborn(s) so you can rest or have a bath, light housework and meal preparation, entertaining older siblings, or walking the dog! My main aim will be to help you rest, and boost your confidence in your new role.

Since completing my training, I have now chosen to engage in a mentoring process in order to provide the best support I can to my clients. This means that I, and therefore you, will have the ongoing support in the background of my experienced, local doula mentor. She will ask you for feedback at the end of our time together, and to thank you for this, for the time being, you are able to take advantage of my doula services at a reduced rate.