Where do I start ........
I had always wanted to have a job that fulfilled me and made me proud. Something to do with families, mothers, babies. I really wasn't sure what it was. However, for personal reasons I was lead down a different path and worked as a Senior Exec in the IT industry for twenty years, whilst raising my three children; Cameron (90), Charlie (03) and Freddy (05).
I have always envied people who say they ‘love’ their jobs and often wondered the type of job I would love.
Having reached a pivotal point in my life I decided to explore my options and do some soul searching. Friends of mine make me smile as they call me the 'baby whisperer'. I do seem to have a calming way with both grownups and babies. I am a very relaxed and peaceful person. I cope well under pressure and remain calm at all times. A friend of mine who knows me well suggested I look into being a doula. I had heard of doulas but hadn't realised it was exactly who I was meant to be. I can honestly say it has changed my life. I don’t think of what I do as a job, I absolutely love it. I only wish I had known about doulas when I had my three children.
I had three very different births, for many reasons, and having a doula with me would have been so empowering and comforting. My first birth came 10 weeks sooner than expected at 29+5. Cameron was born via caesarean section weighing in at 2lb 10oz (he's the 6'2" very hairy one in my pic above, who knew!!). 14 years later Charlie was born using hypnobirthing methods, although at the time I had no idea that that was what they were. My lovely midwife had said "just relax, your body knows exactly what to do, all you have to do is breathe". I trusted her, believed her words, did exactly as she said and much to my amazement it worked. Freddy came along 2 years later, I was induced this time, with much medical intervention. I wasn't aware of my choices. I hadn't made sure I was fully informed and I just went along with everything I was being told to do out of fear. Part of my driving force to become a doula and hypnobirthing coach is to ensure as many women as possible have the choices that I didn't have because I was unprepared.
I completed my Doula Training underneath the guidance and instruction of the very experienced Kicki Hansard at the BirthBliss Academy. I gained my Hypnobirthing Diploma at KGHypnobirthing, “The Gold Standard” of the hypnobirthing world. A programme designed by the guru of Hypnobirthing, Katherine Graves.
I'm a member of Doula UK. It is a self run organisation of c500 birth and postnatal doulas in the UK, Republic of Ireland, and Channel Islands. Doula UK was founded in 2001 as a not-for-profit. I abide strictly by their Philosophy and Code of Conduct. I have gone through their assessment procedure and have attained their 'recognised' doula status. Please see my profile here.
I am also a Doula Mentor for doulas undergoing the BirthBliss Academy Doula Training programme. In this role I mentor newly trained doulas who want o become 'accredited'.
Due to my rather unusual background in the corporate world I am an excellent communicator, I may as well have a degree in 'winning friends and influencing people', which comes in very handy with making friends with your medical team!! I'm also told I'm an incredibly calming influence. I am punctual, flexible and completely committed to ensuring you have the best experience possible, whether it's learning the art of hypnobirthing, getting fully prepared before your baby arrives, enjoying your baby's birth, the fourth trimester when baby arrives, or all of it. I am an eternal optimist and always see the best in life.
Having spent 20 years in the corporate world I am involuntarily organised and efficient to the nth degree. I seem to attract most of my clients from corporate or academic backgrounds. As your doula I will ensure you are fully informed with evidence based information so that you can 'control your controllables' as much as possible, leaving you will able to relax and enjoy your journey to parenthood. I also want to ensure you have fun, and enjoy your birth prep. Our antenatal sessions will be filled with 'top tips', but also leave time for lots of discussion.
Outside of work, I love spending time with family and friends, especially with my amazing girlfriends on a night in at mine where much giggling can be heard as we relax and gossip over a glass of rose. I love to travel and have been lucky to do much of that over the past few years. I love walks along the beach and watching the sunset. I enjoy cooking, gardening, skiing, as well as watching a good box set on a cold evening in front of the fire. I am currently learning to sail, and have just passed my Day Skipper theory test...... oh, and I've adopted a puppy from Cyprus.
