About Me

My photo
Rugby, Warwickshire, United Kingdom
I am a mother of five children, four daughters all born in hospital (two now grown up!) and my son, born at home. One thing I know is that I would have had much more positive birth experiences if I had been well informed and well supported. Many women are feeling the same way and are seeking out the extra care a Doula can give them. I have been a Birth and Postnatal Doula for several years now, and am also a Lamaze Childbirth Educator providing 1-1 classes in antenatal preparation and baby care. I have special classes to help parents prepare for twins, homebirth, waterbirth, and parenting a new baby/babies. I am also a qualified antenatal teacher with the NCT and facilitate group classes in the Rugby/Coventry area. As a single mother I have an affinity with the special challenges of one parent families, or families where one partner is unavailable much of the time to offer support.

Thursday 16 June 2011

.....Welcome Baby Willow Rose!!!!.....

Welcome to the world Willow Rose, born at home, in the water last week. Mum Jo did wonderfully walking throughout labour before retreating to a darkened living room with gentle music playing. Baby Willow was gently birthed in the water before the midwife arrived, and all was well. Congratulations to Jo and Eddy, and thank you Rebecca, co-doula for being part of a magical evening!
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Saturday 4 June 2011

Lamaze Birthing, Celebrating Pregnancy, Birth and Parenting the Lamaze Way!


I am now a Lamaze Childbirth Educator and will be providing classes and courses to help expectant parents enjoy a healthy pregnancy and birth.


Lamaze Philosophy of Pregnancy

• Pregnancy is a normal, natural life event.
•Women’s bodies are perfectly designed to nourish and nurture their babies through pregnancy.
•The months of pregnancy are necessary for babies to develop and grow, for women’s bodies to prepare for birth and for women to become mothers.
•Pregnancy provides an opportunity for mothers and fathers to begin forming lifelong bonds with their babies.
•A good support system, a healthy lifestyle and the ability to cope with the stresses of life promote a healthy pregnancy, a healthy birth and a healthy baby.
•The health-care system and care provider can increase or decrease a woman’s confidence in the normality of pregnancy and in her ability to have a healthy baby.
•Lamaze education empowers women gain confidence in their bodies, to trust their inner wisdom and to make informed decisions about pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding and parenting.


Lamaze Philosophy of Birth

•Birth is normal, natural and healthy.
•The experience of birth profoundly affects women and their families.
•Women’s inner wisdom guides them through birth.
•Women’s confidence and ability to give birth are either enhanced or diminished by the care provider and place of birth.
•Women have a right to give birth free from routine medical interventions.
•Birth can safely take place in homes, birth centres and hospitals.
•Childbirth education empowers women to make informed choices in health care, to assume responsibility for their health and to trust their inner wisdom.


Lamaze Philosophy of Parenting

• Good parenting is vital to the physical, emotional and spiritual health of our children, ourselves and our society.
•Parenting is joyful, important, challenging and deeply satisfying work that is worthy of everyone’s best efforts.
•Parenting begins before birth. The intimate connection between children and their parents must be respected and protected from the moment of birth throughout life.
•Mothers and fathers play unique, irreplaceable roles in their children’s lives.
•Babies and children thrive in close, consistent interaction with their parents.
•Parenting is a learned art. our most important teachers are our own parents, our family and our children.
•Good parenting requires the support of family, friends and community.
•Knowledge and support enhance parents’ confidence and ability to make informed decisions that meet the needs of their children and themselves.

Classes will be held weekly in Rugby and surrounding area, please get in touh for more information, or look out for my new website which will list course venues, dates and times...

thank you!