: : The Practical Doula : :
Ready to level up your pregnancy and birth?
Doula Support in
West Yorkshire & Surrounding
I've been walking alongside families across Bradford, Leeds, Ilkley, Skipton, Harrogate and the wider Yorkshire area for almost 10 years. I have supported a wide range of births, Home births, hospital births, Birth Centre births, from vbacs (vaginal birth after a caesarean) to twin births. In all these different situations I have learned exactly what's needed to support a positive birth experience, whatever that looks like for you. You only get to birth this baby once!
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There's more than one way to have me in your corner.
Whether you fancy a one-off power hour, full-on wraparound care,
or just a bit of postnatal support, there’s something here for you.
This work is honestly my heart and soul, my mission is helping families feel supported, informed, and in the driving seat of their pregnancy and birth. And I want everyone to be able to access that.
So whatever your budget, there’s always a way to tap into a little bit of my magic.
Because you deserve to feel held, confident, and in the driving seat of your care for every step of the way.
Birth Packages
Three packages. One mission. Getting you to the other side of your birth feeling informed, empowered, and properly supported, whatever that looks like for you.
£1800
⋅ Payment plans available ⋅
Been there, birthed that.
You know yourself, you trust your instincts. You're a repeat client or you're a veteren birther not starting from scratch. You just want someone solid, skilled and fully in your corner ready to support, guide and champion you every step of the way.
£2195
⋅ Payment plans available ⋅
First time round or needing it done differently, either way, you deserve proper preparation and real support. You've got questions, you've got history, and you've got every right to a birth that feels brilliant. We'll build the knowledge, confidence and the calm to carry you through prepared, powerful and completely in control.
£2495
⋅ Payment plans available ⋅
Surrounded, supported and deeply held by a doula, a pregnancy chiropractor for optimal positioning and an IBCLC for the absolute best in feeding support. All working together, all for you. This is the full, no corners cut experience for families who know that the right support doesn't just change your birth it changes everything.
"A woman, as long as she lives, will remember how she was made to feel at her birth"
Anna Verwaal
Holding you whilst you hold your baby. Having a baby is a big transition. My postnatal support package helps to ease that transition by offering practical, emotional and informative support for as long as you need it. Supporting the whole family and ensuring your needs are met.
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Your postnatal care can look like, but is not limited to...
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Creating space and provide a listening ear for you to talk through your birth experience.
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Light house work, washing, ironing, kitchen cleaning etc
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Food prep and constant beverages brought to you.
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Holding the baby whilst you focus yourself/spend time with siblings.
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Support with older siblings and/or pets so you can focus on your baby.
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Signposting/accompanying you to relevant agencies, baby groups, baby clinics. breast feeding groups, IBCLC's, sling libraries etc.
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Feeding support (breast, bottle or both).​
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Helping to explore and answer any questions you may have and help you to understand your baby’s needs.
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Shop and Post Office runs.
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"Mothers need just as much attention as a newborn, because they too have just been born"
So what does a Doula do?
I get asked this a lot, usually with a slightly puzzled look, and honesty it's a fair question. Doula's aren't talked about nearly enough in the UK, so let me help you out...
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A Doula is a trained, non-medical birth professional, coach and advocate who supports you (and your partner, if you have one) through your pregnancy, birth and those first few wobbly weeks with a new baby. That's the short version. The longer version is the bit below that i'm about to go deeper with because it's the bit that really matters.
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A Doula is there for you, not just the clinical stuff.
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A Doula definitely does not replace a midwife or doctor. I don't give medical advice or practice any clinical procedures. If you choose to have a midwife present at your birth they will look after the clinical side of things, by how much is completely up to you and I am there to make sure that your wishes are completely understood and adhered to.​
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What I also do is look after you as a whole person. I'm the one who stays by your side, keeps you feeling calm and safe, and helps you feel heard and centred in your care. Think of it as having a super knowledgeable and experienced birth bestie in the room who has seen it all before, isn't remotely fazed by any of it and knows exactly what it takes for birth to work best.
Support during pregnancy.​
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Most of the work I do actually happens before the birth. Pregnancy can bring up a lot of questions, and appointments with the NHS can feel rushed and impersonal, never seeing the same person twice. When we work together, you've guaranteed that continuity of care that has proven better outcomes for birth. You also have someone who is impartial and up to date with all the latest evidence based information to chat things through with in your own time, in your own space, over a brew and cake.​
That might look like::
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Talking through your options so you understand what's on offer and what each choice means.​Helping you work out what you want from your birth (and what you'd like to happen if plans change)
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Teaching you how to navigate the NHS and understand its policies. Equipping you with the right questions to ask so that your care is individualised to your specific situation.
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Practicing comfort techniques, positions, helpful stretches, optimal baby positioning and breathing.Equipping your birth partner (if you have one) with the skills they need to effectively support you and advocate for you.
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Being at the end of a text throughout when you've had a confusing appointment or you have a 2am wobble.
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All Enhanced package clients receive my comprehensive antenatal course, "Born Ready", with added hypnobirthing techniques and a biomechanics workshop. Getting you body ready, mind ready, NHS ready and postnatal ready.​​
Support during labour and birth.​
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This is the part most people picture. I put myself on call, 24hrs a day, 7 days a week, phone on loud, childcare sorted, car topped up until you call me. When labour starts, I'm with you as soon as you want me. whether at home, birth centre, labour ward. I'll protect yours and your partners space so you can both fully share your experience together without the external noise and questions. I'll suggest positions, offer physical support, rebozo techniques and counter pressure, help you keep you focussed on your breathing, keep the room feeling calm and make sure you are fed and watered as much as you need. I will be a constant, reminding you of your power, help you make decisions that feel right for you and help keep you in the driving seat with all the awesome antenatal prep we have done.
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​If you're having a planned or unplanned caesarean the support stays the same, protecting the physiology of birth and helping you stay in your power calling the shots wherever we can is paramount, however birth unfolds.
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A really common question is "What about my partner?" I promise a Doula doesn't take their place! Far from it! Partners often tell me that having a Doula meant they could be properly present, rather than panicking about whether they were doing everything right or trying to field questions form midwives or doctors. We can also tag team the support so the partner can get some rest whilst you are still being supported. I am there to support you both and help you share this amazing and empowering experience together.
![Screenshot_20221007-213507[1788]_edited.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/cec729_e610252b032e4ad9a9d55d7898c9f834~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_392,h_487,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/cec729_e610252b032e4ad9a9d55d7898c9f834~mv2.png)
Support after the baby arrives.​
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The postnatal period often gets overlooked in UK culture, but its a big deal. It's not just the birth of a baby, its the birth of parents too and those parents need holding and supporting just as much. Whether its your first baby or your fourth, those early days can be overwhelming emotional, and exhausting. Postnatal doula support is all about helping you settle in, "mothering the mother". That could look like, basic feeding support, signposting to useful services, a listening ear, helping you process your birth story, light housework or holding your baby whilst you have a nap, shower or some time to yourself.
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Does a Doula have to be there in Person?
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Not at all! I offer virtual Doula support too, which works very well wherever you live. You will experience exactly the same support as in person just via a screen. We can talk things through and have catch up virtually just like we would in the face to face package. Your partner will be trained up with the physical support just like he would be if I was physically with you and I will be with you in the room (via facetime/phone) to help you navigate any recommendations doing exactly as I would if I were with you in person. It's a great option if you are further afield, or if you simply prefer the flexibility.