If you are interested in hiring me as your doula I offer an initial consultation at your home free of charge and with no obligation
Birth Support
As a birth doula I will establish a relationship with the mother (or couple) during the pregnancy and meet with her at least twice before the birth. My clients are welcome to keep in contact with me via email and the telephone and further visits can be arranged as needed. In addition to hiring me as a birth doula my clients might choose to see me regularly for birth preparation sessions and/or holistic therapies throughout their pregnancy.
I will meet with my client in the early stages of labour and provide continuous support throughout. Additionally I am able to provide information and assistance with such things as positioning, massage, homeopathy, essential oils, relaxation and active birth techniques as appropriate. As a therapist I am able to utilise my skills in massage, aromatherapy and reflexology to help my clients cope with labour if desired. If you have a partner I can help them participate at their own comfort level and help relieve any anxiety caused by the unfamiliarity of the situation. I will remain with the mother after the birth as needed and can provide support with breastfeeding. Following the birth I will visit my client at least once to provide an opportunity to discuss the birth experience and to ensure that all is well and to offer any postnatal support that might be appropriate.
There are two birth support packages available.
Option 1
Birth Doula Support Package
~ Initial consultation - free of charge
~ 2 further antenatal visits lasting 2 hours per session: Session 1: two hour preparing for birth session including discussion on such things as what to expect in labour; pain relief, alternative methods of pain relief such as homeopathy, massage, aromatherapy, acupressure, reflexology, movement, water, visualisation etc; optimal fetal positioning; birth environment etc**. Session 2: Two hour session to discuss your hopes and ideas for your birth and we will put these down on paper to help communicate your wishes to your caregivers. A part of the session wll also be set aside to discuss how to communicate with health staff since effective and positive communication can lead to a more satisfying birth experience. I also offer a free 20 minute aromatherapy massage or reflexology taster session as part of session 2 (if desired).
~ Telephone and email support from initial booking visit until the birth
~ 24 hour on call period from 2 weeks before your due date until two weeks after
~ Continuous support throughout your labour
~ 2 hour Postnatal visit: Discussion on the birth outcome and how you feel things went. This also allows me to offer any postnatal support needed and for you to ask any parenting questions you might have at this point.
The cost of the above package is £120* since I wish to become recognised with Doula UK. This will increase to £300* once I have attended 4 births. Please note, antenatal classes and holistic therapies are priced seperately. Additional antenatal/postnatal visits can be arranged and are charged at £19 per two hour session*.
*When I travel more than 10 miles from my home for any antenatal/postnatal visit or to attend your labour a charge of 20p/mile will be added to your bill - calculated according to postcode
**For guidance only - actual topics covered will vary as I will always be guided by your individual needs. It should be remembered that this session can only provide an overview of these topics (though I aim to provide informaton that is useful and can be put into practice during your labour). More complete preparation can be achieved by attending holstic birth preparation sessions (coming soon).
Option 2
Holistic Birth Support package:
~ Initital consultation at your home free of charge and with no obligation
~ 2 further antenatal visits lasting 3 hours per session:- Session 1 at 35 weeks: two hour preparing for birth session including discussion on such things as what to expect in labour; pain relief, alternative methods of pain relief such as homeopathy, massage, aromatherapy, acupressure, reflexology, movement, water, visualisation etc; optimal fetal positioning; birth environment etc.* *The final hour of this session will be put aside for an aromatherapy massage. Aims include easing late pregnancy discomforts, promoting a sense of wellbeing, balance of mind, body and spirit, re-energising and birth readiness, promoting enjoyment of the last few weeks of pregnancy. Oils are blended according to your individual needs and a full body massage is carried out with special consideration to your comfort. Session 2 at 36 weeks: Two hours are set aside to discuss your hopes and ideas for your birth and we will put these down on paper to help communicate your wishes to your caregivers. A part of the session wll also be set aside to discuss how to communicate with health staff since effective and positive communication can lead to a more satisfying birth experience. The final hour of this session will be set aside for a reflexology treatment, aimed at promoting and encourage readiness for labour and birth. A full treatment is carried out with special consideration to the needs of late pregnancy and preparing the body for labour and childbirth.
~ Email and telephone support from initial booking visit to the birth
~ 24 hour on-call period lasting from 2 weeks before your due date until two weeks after.
~ Continuous support throughout labour
~ 3 hour postnatal visit and reflexology session: Discussion on the birth outcome and how you feel things went. This also allows me to offer any postnatal support needed and for you to ask any parenting questions you might have and discuss any concerns. Aims of the reflexology treatment include: promoting postnatal recovery; rebalancing the body after childbirth; promotion of emotional wellbeing; encouraging enjoyment of the "babymoon" period.
The cost of the comprehensive holistic birth doula support package is £190*+ since I wish to become recognised with Doula UK. This will increase to £370* once I have attended 4 births. Please note, antenatal classes and additional complementary therapies are priced seperately. Additional antenatal/postnatal visits can be arranged and are charged at £19 per two hour session*.
*When I travel more than 10 miles from my home for any antenatal/postnatal visit or to attend your labour a charge of 20p/mile will be added to your bill - calculated according to postcode.
**For guidance only - actual topics covered will vary as I will always be guided by your individual needs. It should be remembered that this session can only provide an overview of these topics (though I aim to provide informaton that is useful and can be put into practice during your labour). More complete preparation can be achieved by attending holstic birth preparation sessions (coming soon).
+ If you book and pay for this package and later decide not to receive the treatments included I will reduce the cost of your support to the birth support charge of £120 and no further fee will be payable. £190 fee is made up as follows: £120 for birth support and £70 for holistic therapies.
Optional Extras
Each birth support package includes where desired:
- Use of a birth ball (can be practiced with before the event)
- Use of essential oils and carrier oils during labour
- Use of the Helios childbirth homeopathic kit during labour
- Optional massage, aromatherapy, reflexology and acupressure during labour
- I am building a library of books, videos, DVDs and CDs that my clients can borrow
- I am looking into the possibility of offering my clients use of a birth pool for a small charge. Further informaton should be available soon.
Further information
For more information please click here