My name is Holly Palmer. I live with my husband and two dogs in a village just outside Weymouth in Dorset. Before our current home we have lived in Poole, Bournemouth and Gillingham, so I know Dorset reasonably well. We have three adult children and one very precious baby granddaughter.

I cover births from Bridport to Bournemouth, including all areas around Weymouth, Dorchester, Shaftesbury, Gillingham and Blandford. I also cover Salisbury in Wiltshire and Ringwood in Hampshire.

I trained as a Doula a few years ago having always wanted to get back into birthwork. I originally trained as a Nursery Nurse/ Maternity Nurse and worked in London for 10 years as a nanny/maternity nurse.

I feel so lucky that, without exception, my clients are always lovely people. I love getting to know you. My antenatal preparation is informal, evidence based and although of course it does follow a template, it tends to develop organically according to each client’s unique needs and wishes. I prepare you for natural, physiological birth, whether at home or in a birth centre/hospital setting. I also prepare you for medicalised birth should this be your preference, or it becomes necessary. I will support ALL YOUR DECISIONS AND CHOICES, whatever they are and whenever they happen. Its your pregnancy, your labour, your birth, your baby, your journey. I just hold your space and support you.

I am very fortunate to have broad birth experience. From an unplanned free birth on a wild winter night, through home births and birth centre births to induced and c-section births on labour wards.

If, due to unforeseen circumstances (its not happened yet!) I cannot attend your birth as planned, or if I need cover for a couple of days during my ‘on call’ weeks, I can provide a back up/standby Doula. My back up Doulas and I have very similar ways of supporting clients, so continuity of care is assured. If a standby IS needed, this would only be with your knowledge and agreement and you would meet her at least once prior to her supporting you.