OLIVIA SOUTHEY
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Are you looking for trusted support that stays by your side? 

If you are feeling as if you would be more relaxed and confident if you could have the support of a woman you have built a trusting relationship with, who will back up your wishes, who has given birth herself and who is there for you and your partner and no-one else whilst you are in labour - then you are in the right place! 
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​A doula is someone, often a mother herself, who helps you to prepare for birth and then supports you practically and emotionally during your labour and birth. She helps your birth partner to help you, she puts you first, she is a constant, reassuring presence who cares about how you are experiencing your birth no matter how your baby needs to be born, she is passionate about positive birth. She believes in you. A doula has learned deeply about birth in order to serve you skillfully. She looks to make you confident, calm and comfortable, but she does not instruct or advise. Your wishes are her map. She trusts you. When your baby arrives she helps you adjust to your new life as a mother, and guides to towards any specialised support you need in the early days of mothering. Then she lets you use your beautiful, strong new mother-wings and she melts back into the community around you.

The benefits of doula support 

The benefits of having a doula are varied because doula care is so tailored to your needs. They include approaching birth with confidence so that you can look forward to it, feeling relaxed during late pregnancy, experiencing loving support throughout your labour and birth from someone who has spent time getting to know you and reduced stress for your birth partner who can relax and be there for you. It can be hard to find much time during pregnancy to focus on yourself and your birth preparation - having a doula means that you are creating a team that is focused on your positive experience and prioritises your wishes. Doulas support all types of birth plan and can accompany you to hospital, birth centre or stay with you for a home birth.

Doulas are facilitators and space holders - we don't take the place of your partner, but respond to the natural dynamics between you during birth. We might also work as your sole birth partner, if you are not going to have a partner with you during the birth or are a single parent.  Whoever we are making a birth team with, it is always with an eye for when you might need a snack, a hot water bottle, a change of music, a word of encouragement, a moment of privacy or a taxi to the hospital. ​

If I am your doula 

I became a doula because I wanted to share the wonderful experience of having dedicated, consistent support throughout the journey to meeting your baby with other mothers. Having had doula support myself during the births of my children in 2012 and 2015,  I became passionate about the difference it makes to have someone by your side who trusts and believes in both you and the unique but universal process of birth. 

If I become your doula you will receive:
  • a free initial interview
  • antenatal sessions to prepare for birth and explore your hopes, concerns and preferences
  • up to 12 hours of antenatal support
  • support with hypnobirthing if you choose
  • email and phone support
  • resources and recommendations to support your birth preparation
  • I will be on call for you from when you are 38 weeks pregnant to when your baby arrives.
  • doula support during labour from when you want me there to when you are tucked up with your new baby
  • support with practical preparation for home or hospital birth
  • support with practical preparation for feeding your baby and sleeping arrangements
  • two postnatal visits after the birth of your baby (up to a total of 6 hours) - to reflect on the birth, to listen and discuss your experience of life with your new baby, to give practical and emotional support during the early days of baby care. 

Your investment in doula support: £900 
Payment by installment is welcome. 

Holistic healthy happy motherhood packages: 
I work with a network of the UK's best pregnancy, birth and postnatal specialist and love designing tailored packages for mothers-to-be who would like to have highly skilled, holistic support. This could mean that my doula care is wrapped up with expert support from a lactation consultant and/or pre and postnatal pilates teacher and pregnancy massage therapist. During a free consultation I will listen to your needs and preferences and propose a package that is perfect for you. 

Interested in doula support? 
I'd love to hear more - your next step is to Contact me to book your free consultation. We'll talk through your needs and wishes and I'll provide you with all the further details of my services. 

  • Home
  • About
    • Testimonials
  • Work with me
    • Hypnobirthing groups
    • Private Hypnobirthing
    • Birth Doula
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Online support