I offer a range of services to support you and your partner/family throughout your pregnancy and the delicate first days and weeks after having a baby. These services can be tailor made to suit you, whether it be prenatal support, a whole birth package or some postnatal support.
Empowering Birth Preparation Class
PANDEMIC UPDATE - due to the current physical distancing restrictions imposed as a result of the pandemic, I will be running these classes virtually. Please check this page for updates.
This is a unique class, designed to fully inform and prepare parents-to-be for labour and birth. By helping to fully engage parents with the birthing process, the class is designed to help promote the best possible chances of having a positive birth experience. The class will explain all birthing options in a non-judgemental way. The aim is to help mothers and birth partners to make a simple, yet informed, birth plan ensuring they feel more confident, in control and prepared for their birth.
I also offer this class on a one-to-one basis in the comfort of your own home. Please contact me for pricing.
Birth Doula
PANDEMIC UPDATE - due to the current physical distancing restrictions imposed as a result of the pandemic, I am unable to take on doula work as normal. If you would like to investigate having a ‘Doula From A Distance’, please contact me for details.
There is a doula for everyone! The doula you choose should be someone with whom you feel totally comfortable and with whom you have a connection. Your doula will be with you at a very sacred moment and so it is important you feel completely at ease in their presence. I will be happy to arrange an initial meet up with you, free of charge, to determine whether I am the right doula for you.
As your birth doula, I will be there to fully support your birth wishes and to help you have a happy and positive birth experience. I will be there to support you throughout your pregnancy, birth and labour and into the early days of parenthood.
My Birth Doula package:
In pregnancy
- At least two prenatal visits where I will meet both you and your partner, get to know you and learn about your birth wishes.. Each visit usually lasts 2-3 hours.
- Prenatal visits will cover information about the process of birth and the options available to you. We will also cover positions for labour and birth, breathing techniques and other methods of comfort.
- I will help you create a birth plan.
- I will be contactable by phone throughout your pregnancy.
- I will be on call for you from 38-42 weeks pregnant.
During labour & birth
- I will stay with you and your partner throughout established labour, birth and into the first hour, until you feel comfortable.
- I will hold the space for you and your partner so you feel safe, relaxed and reassured.
- I am happy to support you with hypnobirthing (I am a hypnobirther).
- I can offer suggestions on techniques and positioning to make your birth more comfortable.
- I will know your wishes and will advocate for you if and when required.
- I will support your partner by making sure they have food, drinks and occasional breaks.
- If you wish I can take respectful photographs of your first moments with your new baby.
After your birth:
I will usually visit you twice to debrief your birth experience and to offer you any support needed. I will be there to help with breastfeeding, for emotional support and to offer baby care tips for your new arrival.
Please contact me for pricing.
Postnatal Doula
Becoming a new parent is such a precious and special time. But it can also be somewhat overwhelming. Life has suddenly changed and your new schedule can be exhausting and difficult to manage, not least with all the postnatal hormones in the mix!
Having some emotional and practical support over these first few weeks can make all the difference. It can help give you confidence to be the parents you want to be and by reducing stress, can help you to remember these early days in a fond way.
Birth is not only about making babies. Birth is about making mothers – strong, competent, capable mothers who trust themselves and know their inner strength. Barbara Katz Rothman
It may be that you would like support to feed your baby or perhaps you would like a listening ear if you feel you are not being heard. Maybe you would just like some time to have a shower or a short nap!
I can offer you postnatal support by the hour or in blocks e.g. 10 hours of purchased support. A package of postnatal support can be a wonderful gift to give a new family!
Please contact me for pricing
Pregnancy Portraits
We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty. Maya Angelou
As a professional artist, I love to combine my creative and artistic side with my birth work! A pregnancy portrait is a unique and beautiful way of capturing a special image of the mother-to-be. Many people will be familiar with maternity photoshoots but a pregnancy portrait is something even more individual. A portrait can be created in several ways and can easily be tailored to your preference:
- A drawing or sketch done from life in my studio - colour or black & white. (this would be done very discreetly and allowing the sitter regular breaks).
- A drawing or painting based on a photo.
- A specially designed image created from a photo (This can incorporate certain imagery and/or colours, preferred by the mother).
Whether it be for a friend, a relative or for yourself, a portrait makes a beautiful gift for a soon-to-be mother. It is a timeless and exquisite reminder of the innate strength, beauty and wonder of the female.
Birth Art
A lovely way for you and/or your birth partner to create a piece of art specially dedicated to your baby and/or to you as parents-to-be. I will supply a canvas and can guide you on how to create a piece of artwork that you will cherish forever, as a reminder of these special days. You can use paint or mixed media - the options are endless!
You can find out more about pregnancy and birth portraits on my art pages.
Please call me to discuss any of the above options. Let your imagination run free…! 07795 108669.
