Am I the doula for you?
I don't know, because we haven't met yet! But I would be really happy to meet you and find out whether we are a great fit and whether I can support you through your pregnancy and the birth of your baby.
Book a call
Advocacy
This is one of the most important aspects of birth. How you want to birth matters, and your views should be respected. I can gently support, guide, and give you research that helps you make choices. I can also attend appointments with you and guide you through challenging situations.
Emotional support
As a doula with a therapy background I can help you navigate your worries, and also support your partner if they have any. I have a range of skills that can help you feel calm, supported and confident. I'll listen and support you in the way that you want. People say that I can turn chaos into calm in minutes!
Knowledge
I trained in 2011 with Michel Odent the world famous French obstetrician, and have attended over 30 births. I have expanded my learning with additional training in rebozo techniques, bio-dynamics, closing the bones and hypnobirthing. I've support families for HBAC, VBAC, home births and caesarean births.
Why should I hire a doula?
I used to think that a doula was a luxury, now I think it's a necessity. When you give birth you want to feel as if you are making the best decisions for you and your baby. You want to feel safe, and you want to have a positive experience.
There is so much misinformation around birth, and decisions are often made without all the information and research. Often there are several choices, even if you are only offered one. A doula can help you to understand what you are being offered and which questions to ask. They can also be there with you from pregnancy, through to the days after the birth. When you are having a baby for the first time, there is so much unknown and a doula can take away that uncertainty.
Benefits of a doula
✅ reduced rates of induction
✅ reduced rates of caesarean birth
✅ reduced rates of intervention
✅ may reduce the length of labour
✅ reduction in pain medication
✅ increased likelihood of breastfeeding
✅ reduced anxiety
A doula is also skilled in techniques that can support birth
I'm trained in techniques that help get baby into a good position, I'm equipped with complementary techniques that can manage pain such as hypnobirthing, acupressure and massage. I have lots of tricks up my sleeve, and can be with you throughout the birth so that you feel comforted that someone is there with you whenever you need.
I'm a great packhorse!
Seriously, I can help carry bags, pack bags (my doula bag is filled with all sorts of goodies!). But, while advocacy and massage, hypnobirthing, care and antenatal support are what a lot of people want - some people just want to know that there is someone for their children if things happen fast (I have enhanced DBS), or in the middle of the night, or they may want someone to tidy up the house, or hospital room around the birth. Sometimes I'm hands on and sometimes I'm in the background quietly watching, waiting and, yes, sometimes sleeping.
Let's meet!
I always suggest that you interview three doula's if you can. We are always very different, and you will just know instinctively when you've met the right one. You can download my doula checklist if you want to have a think about the sorts of questions you can ask!
I'd like the doula checklistDoula Bloom
Full doula support
This is full support from when you book. It includes an on-call period from 38 weeks, through to 42* weeks. It includes:
- 6 hours of antenatal
- 6 hours of hypnobirthing preparation including my online course and all my hypnobirthing audio tracks
- 2x attendance at appointments if needed
- Birth debrief
- 5 weeks of on-call
From £1800*
Areas I cover are Lincolnshire, Rutland, Nottinghamshire, and Leicestershire (Vale of Belvoir). If you are outside of these areas and wish to have book me then please get in touch as sometimes I am able to base myself in South West London.
*does not include mileage or travel costs
Doula Bud
Antenatal Package Only
This is a comprehensive birth preparation package without the on-call or attendance at the birth. It includes:
- 4 hours of antenatal
- 6 hours of hypnobirthing preparation with access to my online course and all my hypnobirthing audio tracks
- 2x attendance at appointments if needed
- Text and phone support
- Birth debrief
from £950*
*does not include travel or mileage costs
A little about me.
I've been a hypnobirthing teacher for 15+ years and a doula for over 10+. I trained with Michel Odent and Liliana Lammers (Paramandoula). I have attended many different types of birth, HBAC, VBAC, home births, hospital births and I've helped prepare families for a positive caesarean with support afterwards. I have additional training in bio-dynamics, closing the bones, hypnobirthing (I train midwives and psychologists in the NHS in hypnosis for birth). My own children are now 19 and 21. Whilst I mostly cover a radius of 25 miles from Grantham, I am also open to requests from families in London as I have a base in Hammersmith.
I only take one client a month, but do use a back-up doula in the very rare event of a crossover.
