I’m mother to 2 wonderful young people, stepmum to one wonderful, all-grown-up person and grandma to one. I’m a birth and postnatal doula, doula course leader and doula mentor. I have also been a breastfeeding counsellor since 2005 and founded a well-known breastfeeding support group in 2007. I am co-founder of Cambridge Breastfeeding Alliance. I am also chair of the trustees of another breastfeeding charity, Maddie’s Miracle
I live in Sheringham, North Norfolk and will take clients within an hour’s drive.
I used to teach English, and also worked in publishing, but gave it up because parents and babies are far more fascinating! There is quite literally no greater honour to be had in life than supporting new families.
I have been doing this thing since the beginning of 2004 so have now been around for the births of well over 150 babies. I was shortlisted for the Doula UK Doula of the Year Award in 2009.
My clients have opted for hospital, Birth Centre and home births. Some have chosen to have vaginal births after caesareans. Some have had twins and more! I have also supported women having caesareans, and been present in theatre. I have also supported many women labouring and birthing in water, both at home and in hospital.
I have worked as a postnatal doula for dozens of families, both short and long-term. I love nurturing a family through the transition to parenthood, watching their confidence grow as they work out how they’d like to parent. I don’t do a huge amount of postnatal work now as I concentrate on my doula training business and take life a little easier!
My goal as a doula is to accompany parents along the journey in whatever way is most useful and nurturing for them. We all birth and parent in different ways – and there are so many choices. A doula’s role is to walk the path with the family, point out things of interest or useful information and hold the space while they decide on the direction that is right for them.
I am half Cornish so I can mostly be found sitting by, or in, the sea and eating far too many cream teas.
I am a recognised doula with Doula UK.
I am a registered Breastfeeding Counsellor with the Association of Breastfeeding Mothers
I run a Doula Preparation Course and enjoy guiding people through their first steps to becoming a doula.
The book cover: is that really my name there?!
My books Why Doulas Matter and Why Mothering Matters are published by Pinter & Martin
I am on the editorial board of The Practising Midwife Journal.
The Birth Hub is my blog and ‘library’ of birth and infant feeding resources.
You will probably just know when you’ve found the right doula. If you don’t like the look of me, perhaps you could check out the wonderful Developing Doulas on our directory.