Doula – Colchester – Essex – London
Birth doula services
Continual support through pregnancy & labour
Birth doula services
A birth doula is a constant, reassuring presence in the room, advocating for your needs and wishes while supporting you physically, emotionally and practically through your pregnancy, labour and birth journey. Someone who won’t change shift or go home mid-labour – and that trust and continuity of care can have a huge effect on your birth experience, helping you feel safe and supported. There is no ‘one size fits all’ approach to pregnancy and birth, so the way I work will vary with each birth and be uniquely personalised to you.
I support all types of births – whether you are hoping to birth at home, in a birth centre or at a hospital, vaginally or by caesarean birth – helping you feel safe, informed, supported and respected in your choices throughout. Anyone planning or needing a C-section delivery deserves just as much help and comprehensive non-judgemental evidence-based information as a planned vaginal birth, so don’t feel that your needs are any less valid.
I will also support your birth partner (if you have one) and will work alongside your midwife and doctors; it’s in everyone’s best interests to get along and work together to achieve the desired outcome of a positive birth experience.
I’m particularly happy to work with anyone whose family unit falls ‘outside the norm’, whether as a dedicated birth partner to a solo parent, or working with LBGTQ+ families and individuals so that they feel safe, respected and empowered whilst navigating heteronormative healthcare systems.
- FREE initial ‘vibe’ consultation (involving your partner if you have one) to discuss the kind of support you are looking for, any particular concerns or questions and to determine whether we want to work together.
- 2 x 2.5hr antenatal sessions to get to know your expectations and personal preferences; birth prep covering the stages of labour, physiology, comfort measures and birthing positions as well as support by and for your partner; plus planning ahead for the postpartum period and newborn feeding.
- Virtual doula support throughout your pregnancy, from the time of booking.
- TENS machine and birth pool loan.
- Use of rebozo wrap, birth and peanut balls, and the comprehensive contents of my doula bag to provide comfort measures during labour (including home-made snacks!).
- From 38 weeks (or sooner if you have a history of delivering early), I’ll be on-call for you 24/7.
- Active support for you and your partner throughout your labour, staying with you until your baby is born and you are settled.
- Protecting the ‘golden bubble’ immediately after birth, including newborn feeding support and making sure that you are nourished too.
- A postnatal visit to debrief after the birth, help with any feeding issues and provide practical support where needed.
- Virtual postnatal support for 6 weeks.
SOS Birth Doula Service
Get in touch to see if I’m able to step in at short notice to work with you – the support that I offer is flexible and can be tailored to your needs and the time available.
Pick 'n' Mix doula services
Not looking for a full birth doula package? There are other ways to access support and advice
Book a 1-hr video call to ask questions and discuss any concerns you have about your pregnancy, birth or postpartum.
Get unbiased, evidence-based advice and non-judgemental support to help you make the decisions that feel right for you.
Follow-up email with links to resources, including if there are any aspects that I can’t answer on the call and need to source further information for.
Support is just a WhatsApp message away with this ‘doula in your pocket’ service. I’ll help you deal with the overwhelm of information and choices, answering any questions with evidence-based advice and research tailored to you. Includes:
- 2 Empower Hour sessions plus follow-up resources
- Postnatal planning workbook
- Infant feeding preferences plan
- Regular messaging support as needed, from booking through to 4 weeks postpartum
Please note that this package does not include being ‘on call’ throughout your labour.
For those not wishing a doula to attend their birth, but wanting to benefit from personalised birth prep sessions and in-person postpartum support (Colchester and surrounding areas).
Includes:
- 2 x 2.5hr antenatal sessions to explore your options and prepare you to birth with confidence
- 4 x 3-hr in-person sessions of practical hands-on help (including feeding support if needed) in the first 4 weeks postpartum
- Virtual doula support from booking through to 4 weeks postpartum (9am-8pm replies)
Please note that this package does not include being ‘on call’ throughout your labour.
From £200 for 2 x 2-hr antenatal sessions
Ideal if you prefer learning on a one-to-one basis in your home setting, with topics tailored to your preferences.
Learn more about the benefits of antenatal feeding support, exploring practical ways to set yourself up for success beforehand and get your newborn feeding journey off to the best start, particularly if you hope to breast/chest feed.
Gift vouchers for doula services
When you can’t be there in person to lend a hand, a Nourishing Doula gift voucher for dedicated personalised care, exactly when it’s needed, is the perfect solution to help a new family.