I’ve been a doula for a long time. Looking back, I think I was born this way. I am absolutely fascinated by people; what makes them tick, their hopes, their dreams, their fears. It makes me yearn to listen hard to both what people say and the unsaid fragments between the lines.When you listen, Continue Reading
Tips from the milky coalface
The following article was written for and first appeared in my friend Naomi Kemeny's book 'Nurturing New Families'. A book not only for postnatal doulas but anyone caring for a family with a newborn in those precious first weeks. As a Breastfeeding Counsellor and Doula, I spend a lot of Continue Reading
Freedom for Birth
What is Freedom for Birth? "Freedom for Birth" is more than just a film. It marks the beginning of a movement that will focus global attention on the violations of women's rights during childbirth all around the world.All women should have the right, protected by law, to decide where and how they Continue Reading
Doulas DO Make a Difference!
Survey Shows Doulas Have Significant Impact on Birth and Breastfeeding Chances of an intervention-free birth and successful breastfeeding increased with doula supportParents-to-be are far more likely to attempt and continue breastfeeding, and less likely to require intervention during their Continue Reading
Vaginal Birth After Ceasarean – it IS possible, even after 2!
Stan’s birth – a VBA2C. This story is shared with permission in the hopes that it will provide inspiration to other women who would like to VBAC. Many thanks to our wonderful client for allowing me to share it here!My third beautiful boy, Stanley, was born on January 24th. After two caesareans I Continue Reading
Group B Strep
I've been asked about this subject quite a lot recently so I thought I'd write a post about it. Before I begin, as always, remember I am a doula, not a health professional or medical expert. So, if this subject effects you, do talk to your midwife/doctor as well as reading other resources so you Continue Reading
Boring Breastfeeding (why I hate doing radio interviews during breastfeeding Awareness Week)
Really, boring? Too boring for the media, obviously. After all, baby asks, mum offers, baby nurses, baby and mum get on with their day. Boring and normal.So if you have to talk about it on air...quick guys, find an angle. Is it child abuse? Are there really any benefits? Are we making mothers feel Continue Reading
Toffee Apples
The children are on half term at the moment so as usual, today I was trying to think of low cost activities to stop the 'I'm bored' chorus.So we came up with the idea of making toffee apples. As we watched the sugar boil and turn a golden brown and quickly dunked the apples in the hot, sweet Continue Reading
“That Was Your Midwife”
Last night I was doing that incredibly modern thing so many of us seem to do nowadays, namely half watching TV with my laptop on my knee.What I was half watching was the new detective show with Brenda Blethyn. At one point she is in the car with her side-kick; a young detective whose wife is Continue Reading
Why Just One Day?
This post is dedicated to all the amazing doulas I know who 'mother the mother', to every breastfeeding support worker I know and to every single mother I have ever supported - you are all incredible. One day? One day of the year we get. Just one. One day to appreciate, to thank, to hug to our Continue Reading