Hello.

When I got pregnant with my son in Caleb in 2012, I had no idea about pregnancy or birth!

I was the "baby" of my family, and none of my good friends had children yet.

I soon discovered that there was plenty to find out - and was shocked to learn that atleast 1 in 25 women in the UK are reported to develop PTSD following birth, with many more having difficult experiences.

I always felt in my heart that birth wasn't something to be feared but that I would need to be prepared and able to advocate for myself and my choices. I couldn't just "go with the flow" and hope for the best.

As it turned out I developed gestational diabetes and this became even more necessary. In the end I had one induced birth and then two home water births. You can hear more about them in the first episode of my podcast.

I learnt so much and my passion for positive birth was ignited.

When Caleb finally arrived, I realised that I had done all my thinking about the birth, and nothing about what it would be like to parent a small human being!

This made the transition very difficult for me, and although I was well supported by my husband and family, I felt so acutely the lack of societal support and conversations about what it is to become a mother. All the time in those early weeks I just kept thinking, "why has nobody told me this?".

I was kinder to myself with each postpartum period I had, but I still would have loved a doula alongside me to help me mark all three of those transitions for the sacred time they were. To encourage me to pause, prioritise, and accept support. To nurture me as I deserved, and as you deserve too. 

This is my story. I would love to make a positive difference to yours.

Before I had my children I was an Occupational Therapist working in the NHS, supporting people to achieve their own personal goals in relation to their health and wellbeing.

My specific interest in birth and becoming a parent has grown and grown over the past ten years.

First and foremost this is through becoming a mother myself, birthing and raising my own three children.

I volunteered with the Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology from 2019 - 2023, working with very senior obstetric consultants on improving communication skills in doctors.

I am a trained Birth Companion for the charity of the same name, providing antenatal, labour and birth and postnatal support to women experiencing inequality and disadvantage.

In 2021 I gained an accredited diploma in Antenatal Education and have been teaching antenatal and postpartum planning courses in the Wimbledon area.

In 2022 I completed a doula education course with Every Birth Matters and am a fully recognised birth & postnatal doula with Doula UK.

Other relevant training:

• Breastfeeding Outpatient Champion with IABLE
• Biomechanics for Birth with Molly O’Brien.
• Birth Debriefing with Mia Scotland
• Doula Skills with Natalie Meddings
• Yoga & Mindfuless for birth training with Nadia Rafaat
• LGBT+ Competency in Perinatal Care workshop with the Queer Birth Club
• Three-step process for birth trauma with Birthing Awareness
• Supporting All Births & Cultural Competency with Mars Lord
• Photography Skills for Doulas – I love to capture your amazing journey for you if you choose this as part of my service (no additional charge).

Please visit my Instagram and Facebook pages where you can get a better idea about who I am, my knowledge around birth and parenting, and the kind of support I can offer.