Hello! I’m Holly and I’m a trained and experienced Doula. I adore my job!

So, a little back story: The word Doula comes from the ancient Greek word Doule which means female servant. Back then Doules all over the world provided experienced guidance, emotional support, and comfort to labouring women, ensuring a safer and more positive birth experience. Doulas have been around for centuries!

Though it became usual for trained midwives to attend births in the UK from 1902, Doulas, and all they bring to women, have always been around and their visibility and popularity has grown enormously in the past 2-3 decades.

As birth has become more medicalised, continuity of care has all but disappeared and many parents are experiencing very mixed midwifery care, unable to build trusted relationships during their pregnancies and often being attended for their births by midwives they had not even met.

Doulas support throughout the peri-natal period, providing evidence - based information, enabling parents to make informed decisions during their pregnancy, birth and postnatal journey.

Doulas believe in parenting the parents - enabling parents to feel supported, empowered and satisfied during pregnancy, birth and as they step into parenthood.

If a Doula were a drug, it would be unethical not to use it - J.Kennel

I can provide:

  • Hynobirthing birthing track

  • Full antenatal preparation

  • Labour and Birth support

  • Postnatal support

  • Breastfeeding support

Doulas:

  • Are there just for you and your partner and, if you have a home birth, older siblings too.

  • We don’t work shifts so we will stay with you throughout labour and birth, help with the first breastfeeding and make sure you are comfortable and settled before we leave - HOW EVER LONG IT TAKES!

  • We do not clock off at any point during your labour.

  • We provide a back up Doula, who you will get to know, for those “what if” situations.

Did you know that:

Having a Doula present during labour and birth not only significantly reduces complications, but additionally:

  • shortens labour by 25%

  • Reduces the need for pain relief by 30%

  • Reduces epidural uptake by 75%

  • Reduces the cesarean rate by 50%

  • (source - Evidence Based Birth & Birthhub)

A Birth Doula researches so that she can sign post you to evidence based information.

We provide calm, loving support for you and your birth partner, before, during and after birth. We endeavour to help you have the best possible birthing experience.

A Postnatal Doula will undertake any household tasks you need her to do, so that you can truly relax into your parenthood. We can clean, tidy, do laundry, take baby for a walk, or just hold your little one whilst you shower, nap or eat etc

Doulas are great listeners, we don’t judge and tears don’t worry us. Nothing is TMI. We “hold” you so that you can hold your precious baby.

Doulas make a difference!