Get the support you deserve

I cover Cambridge city centre and surrounding villages, up to an hours drive away.

Some of my services, such as antenatal education, are also available virtually via zoom!

A doula is like a three-legged stool, combining practical, emotional, and informational support to our clients. This can be during pregnancy, birth, the postpartum, or (increasingly) beyond! Doulas are skilled in the art of actively listening and providing the information and space needed for you to navigate your own journey with confidence.

Hiring a doula has been shown in a whole host of studies to promote hugely beneficial outcomes for birthing people, their babies, and their families. Some of this effect is achieved through practical support - a doula can and does provide education, information, and active, hands-on help - but much of the power of a doula comes not in actively DOING anything in particular but in what we call "holding space" - giving you the room you need to really experience and process the huge life events you're going through, knowing that you'll be cared for and supported no matter what.

There is no required regulation or training to become a doula - anyone can give themselves that title. However, many doulas (myself included) have chosen to voluntarily join training and regulating bodies, so you can feel confident in the quality of support you'll receive. I did my initial preparation course with the organisation Developing Doulas, and then have chosen to undergo the mentoring and recognition process required to join Doula UK. In addition to adhering to these organisations policies and code of conduct, I am constantly seeking ways to extend my experience and knowledge base, including continuous ongoing research and supplementary training (all listed here).

I have voluntarily chosen to undergo a process of preparation and support through the Doula UK-accredited organisation Developing Doulas. As part of this process, I have chosen to begin my career with a period of mentorship, where I am guided and overseen by a more experienced birth worker. I have completed this for birth support, but am still mentored for postnatal doulaing, You can find out more about that process and what it means for you as a client here!

Absolutely not. I am interested in YOUR birth. There is no one "best" way to do almost anything in life, and having babies is no exception. For some people that might look like a completely unmedicated, physiological childbirth. For others it's an induction, or a caesarian delivery. Some people will be happy with a bit of gas and air (or nothing!), and others will want an epidural. It's all good! I have only one agenda: to help you discover and achieve the ideal birth for YOU.

A doula is for everyone! Just as there's no one right way to be pregnant, or birth, or parent, there's no one "right" doula-client relationship. You might think that having a doula is only useful if you are planning a "natural" childbirth or don't want conventional medical treatment. But I can and will support you in any capacity I'm able, whether you want to use herbal supplements or pharmaceuticals, hydrotherapy or an epidural, a completely de-medicalised birth or an elective caesarean. At the end of the day, every family could use support - and that is exactly what I provide. No assumptions attached!

A birth plan is a way of exploring and expressing your personal preferences. This can range from a few jotted notes to a full flowchart of every possible eventuality! Some people prefer to call them "birth preferences" or "birth guides", but whatever you call it, making a list of what's important to you helps everyone involved get on the same page and increases the chances that you'll achieve the empowered birth you deserve. If this sounds overwhelming, don't worry - guiding you through this process is one of my favourite parts of my job, so get in touch and we'll do it together!

In my role as a postnatal doula, I bring the same three-legged stool of support (informational, emotional, and practical) to helping you in the early days, weeks, and months of your babies life. Whether that's doing the dishes, cooking you dinner, doing a birth debrief, or supporting you with breastfeeding, I'm here to help you get your new life off to the joyful start you deserve!

A family's need for support doesn't magically disappear when a child hits a certain age or they come to the end of the "fourth trimester". A combination of shrinking family sizes and increased mobility means often parents now have little to no local network to help them raise their children. The same combination of focused listening, unbiased information, emotional support, and help in executing a plan that makes doulas so magic for birth can continue to help you through the myriad challenges of raising children!

Absolutely not. Doulas typically have no formal medical training, and even where they do (as in the case of a midwife retraining as a doula) there is a clear division of roles: it is both ethically and legally required that a doula does not act as a midwife or healthcare professional. I am first aid trained (including paediatric first aid) as a member of the public and will always attempt to help someone in trouble within the bounds of that lay capacity, but I do not and cannot act as your midwife.

In order for the doula-client relationship to work, everyone has to feel safe. As part of my ongoing training, I have completed Domestic Violence and Safeguarding Children Level 2 courses through CPD. This means I am trained to spot and appropriately respond to threats faced by my clients and their families. With the exception of situations where the safety of a client requires reporting, I adhere to strict standard of confidentiality with all my clients, so you can be sure that what we discuss is private and protected. This includes processing all data and personal information in compliance with the 2018 Data Protection Act. As a sole worker often operating in domestic settings, I ensure that I maintain contact with a trusted colleague or family member during every job, and someone always knows where I am.

I offer a variety of differently priced services and packages depending on your needs and situation. Please check out the "Packages and Prices" page for more information, or get in touch for a custom quote!

I know the price tag can seem daunting, but I'd make the case that a doula is worth every penny. In addition to the invaluable emotional, informational, and practical support we provide (hugely increasing positive outcomes) , we often end up SAVING our clients money. Surveys done in the UK show that about 90% of parents overspend on expensive baby gear they didn't end up needing - by an average of £5,567! Part of my antenatal job involves helping you explore what a newborn really needs (spoiler: not much, apart from your love!), with the result that parents can end up saving thousands. I'd also encourage you to look at the cost of a doula as an investment in one of the most important days of your life. If you had a wedding, you might have spent more than a doula fee on a dress or venue alone! You deserve the same level of care and investment into your family life.

New babies can of course be expensive and this is a time of stress for a lot of people. Every family, regardless of their situation, deserves support. I can offer flexible payment plans, discounts for low earners and those on benefits, barter or exchange of services in kind, and support through the Doula UK Access Fund. Please do get in touch and we will see what we can do.