Birth Doula in London – Lisa Harris
Looking for a birth doula in London?
I’m Lisa Harris, a birth doula based in Wimbledon, South West London, offering continuous, personalised support so you feel informed, supported, and clear in your decisions throughout pregnancy and birth.
If you’re navigating your options and want calm, experienced support alongside you, I’m here to help.
Feel confident in your birth decisions
Taking control of your birth experience means making decisions that align with your values and desires, not simply going along with the flow of modern maternity care. If you look at local and national maternity statistics, you’ll see high rates of inductions, a caesarean rate of around 50%, and water births happening for only about 5% of women. These are the facts — this is the current status quo of the maternity system. If you’re hoping for a different birth, you will need to approach it differently.
This is where I come in as your doula. I help you navigate your journey by balancing evidence, research, and most importantly, listening to you and your preferences. I’ll assist you in making choices that align with what you truly want for your birth - be it a home water birth or a planned caesarean.
With me by your side, you’ll receive tailored, continuous support. The NHS is unable to provide the continuity of care you deserve, but a doula offers that steady presence from start to finish. I’ll be there with you, offering calm, reassurance, and reliable guidance. My aim is that when you look back on your birth, you feel proud of the decisions you made, confident in how you navigated it, and deeply satisfied that it unfolded on your terms.
What it’s like to be supported by me during your birth
“We truly believe having Lisa as our doula was one of the best decisions we made. She helped us feel prepared, informed, and confident. When the hospital was short-staffed and we were without a midwife for hours, having Lisa with us made all the difference — she kept us calm, focused, and empowered throughout.”
First-time parents, hospital birth
“Lisa made me feel so supported and knowledgeable throughout the whole process. Without her, I would have gone to hospital far too early — instead I laboured at home comfortably. She also knew how to navigate triage and the hospital, taking that pressure off us so we could just focus on the birth.”
First-time parents, navigating the system
“After a difficult first birth, I was desperate for a different experience. Lisa helped me navigate every step with care, support, and evidence. I had the empowering birth I had hoped for, and I truly don’t believe that would have happened without her.”
Second-time parents, healing home birth
What it’s like to work with me as your doula
When you work with me, my main goal is to help you trust your instincts and make decisions that feel right for you — not just follow the standard path. I believe the most important thing is not how your birth unfolds, but how you feel throughout it — listened to, respected, and supported at every step.
I specialise in supporting physiological birth, but I’m here to help you plan and prepare for any birth experience that aligns with your wishes — whether that’s home birth, hospital birth, birth centre, VBAC, induction, or planned caesarean.
With my background as an Occupational Therapist in the NHS, I bring a clear understanding of the healthcare system, guiding you through decisions with evidence-based, balanced information so you can make choices that feel right for you and your baby.
My approach is calm, practical, and tailored to you — supporting you throughout pregnancy and birth in a way that reflects your individual needs.
If this feels like the kind of support you’re looking for, you’re very welcome to book a call. You can read more about what it’s actually like to have me as your doula here.
Research shows that having continuous support during birth can make a real difference — not just to outcomes, but to how you experience your birth.
15%
increase in the chance of a spontaneous vaginal birth*
10%
decrease in the use of any pain medication
39%
decrease in the chance of a caesarean birth*
31%
decrease in the risk of being dissatisfied with the birth experience
These effects were strongest when support was provided by someone whose sole focus was supporting you throughout labour, such as a doula.
Source: Cochrane Review — Continuous Support for Women During Childbirth (Bohren et al.)
What’s included in my birth doula support?
2 x Antenatal Visits
On-Call Birth Support
2 x Postnatal Visits
Ongoing WhatsApp & Phone Support
Antenatal Sessions – Personalised Preparation
We’ll meet for two antenatal sessions during your pregnancy, each lasting around two and a half hours. These sessions are your space to share your journey so far, ask questions, and explore your hopes and wishes for your birth.
The sessions are shaped around you — whether that’s understanding how your body works in labour, exploring how your environment can support you, understanding how your environment can influence labour, discussing comfort measures, or talking through birth choices and options.
I’m here to help you prepare both mentally and practically for your labour, as well as plan for your early postnatal days.
Labour & Birth Support – Emotional, Physical, Informational
I’m on call for you from 10 days before your due date until 14 days after, ready to be with you whenever your labour begins. My support during birth is shaped entirely by your needs.
This is what it can look like to have me with you:
- Emotional support – helping you trust your body and instincts.
- Physical support – creating a calm environment and suggesting comfort measures like aromatherapy, massage, and movement (always at your request).
- Informational support – drawing on my background in health research and knowledge of the maternity system to help you weigh up your options and make decisions with confidence.
I can also be your advocate if needed, ensuring your voice is heard and your choices respected. After your baby is born, I’m there to support your feeding choices and help you settle into those first precious hours.
Read more about what a doula does on this page.
Ongoing Support – Phone, Email, WhatsApp
From the moment you hire me, I’m available to you for questions, reassurance, or simply a chat about how you’re feeling. This support helps us build a trusting relationship and ensures you have someone to turn to whenever you need it.
Postnatal Support – Settling Into Life With Your Newborn
After your baby arrives, we’ll arrange two postnatal visits whenever you feel they’ll be most helpful. These visits might include debriefing your birth, support with feeding and baby care, or simply having someone there as you adjust to life with your newborn.
I’m also happy to help with light household tasks or cooking — whatever you need to feel supported and looked after.
Birth Doula Support and Pricing in London
I keep things simple and transparent.
My full birth doula support package is £1,950.
This includes antenatal preparation, continuous support throughout your labour and birth, and postnatal visits afterwards — so you’re supported the whole way through, not just on the day.
If you’d like to talk through what this looks like for you, you’re very welcome to book a free call.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hiring a Doula in London
How much do you charge?
My birth doula package is £1950.
If you feel I might be the right fit for you but cost is a concern, please do get in touch — I care deeply about making this support accessible and can sometimes offer flexibility.
What areas do you cover?
I’m based in Wimbledon, South West London, and support families across London and Surrey — including Kingston, Wandsworth, Merton, Sutton, Fulham, Chelsea, Lambeth and surrounding areas.
If you’re unsure whether I cover your area, feel free to get in touch.
I have a birth partner – do I still need a doula?
Yes — having a doula takes the pressure off your birth partner and helps you both feel more confident and supported.
Research shows that partners are often able to offer more effective support when a doula is present, as they feel more relaxed and reassured themselves.
I’ll have a midwife – do I still need a doula?
Midwives and doulas play very different roles.
Midwives focus on medical care, while doulas are there to focus on you — to support, reassure, and help you feel safe and confident.
My presence complements the work of your midwife and helps ensure you feel continuously supported throughout your birth.
Do doulas only support home births?
Not at all. I support births in hospitals, birth centres, and at home – wherever you choose. My role is to support you in making the choices that feel right for you.
What if I’m having a planned Caesarean birth?
I can help you prepare for a planned caesarean birth by explaining what to expect, supporting you through your choices, and helping you plan ways to create a calm, connected experience.
I can also support you during the birth itself (depending on hospital policy), and will be there afterwards to help you recover and settle in with your baby.
What will it be like having you there?
My priority is to help you feel safe, calm, and confident. Some families want me by their side throughout, while others like to know I’m nearby — we’ll have plenty of time to build trust and figure out what feels right for you.
If you’d like a clearer picture of what this can actually look like in practice, you can read more here:
What doesn’t a doula do?
I’m not a medical professional and don’t carry out clinical tasks or make decisions for you.
I don’t replace your birth partner or take over — I’m there as continuous support, helping you feel informed, confident, and supported throughout your birth journey.
Ready to take the next step?
If you’re looking for a birth doula in London or South West London who will champion your choices, respect your instincts, and support you wholeheartedly, I’d love to chat.
Let’s book a free introductory call to see if we’re a good fit — or feel free to WhatsApp or send me a message, whatever you prefer.
I support a limited number of families each month, so it’s worth getting in touch early.
