I have always been fascinated by birth and was privileged to see my first birth when I supported my sister birth her son in 1998. The birth of my eldest daughter cemented my passion for pregnancy and birth. I learnt the importance of loving, respectful care in facilitating gentle birth and what a huge effect an empowered birth experience can have in the short and long term on mum and everyone in the family.
As soon as I heard about the concept of a "doula" I knew I wanted to work with women to support their own journey through pregnancy and birth. Being invited to work with a woman and her partner is an incredible privilege. Every relationship is different, depending on the needs of the woman (and her family).
I trained with the British School of Nurturing Doulas (2003-2004) and with Michel Odent (2004).
I regularly attend training days including:
- Ina May Gaskin presentation
- Mary Cronk "A Day in the Breech"
- Sheilia Kitzinger "Crisis" workshop
- Jean Sutton "Optimal Foetal Positioning"
I am a member of:
- Doula UK
- The Association of Breastfeeding Mothers (currently undertaking the "Mother Supporter" training)
- The Association for Improvemenet in Maternity Services
- The National Childbirth Trust and am an active volunteer in the Brighton and Hove branch
I have experience in supporting:
- Home birth
- Hospital birth
- Water birth (at home and in hospital)
- Induction of labour in hospital
- VBAC (pronounced vee-bac, vaginal birth after previous caesarean birth)
- Caesarean birth
- Prolonged pregnancy (pregnancy lasting longer than 42 weeks)
- Older mothers
- Women without partners
I am a "Kiwi" - New Zealander - now firmly settled in Brighton since 2003 and in the UK since 1998. I am married to Rob and we have two children, Jemima (born 2002) and Beatrice (born 2005).