Birth Doula
If you are pregnant and feel you would like some additional support for your birth, I would be delighted to meet you for a no commitment chat and explore what you might need. I feel passionate about women and families having a positive and empowering birth experience whatever their circumstances and have been working as a birth and postnatal doula since 2011.
A doula is someone that will be with you during a very intimate time in your life. People chose doulas for various reasons and I am flexible and non-judegmental in how I support you and your unique needs and desires. It is important that you find a doula that is a good match for you, as a member of the Scottish Doula Network, I suggest you connect with a number of doulas before choosing the right one to support you. If I am the doula you choose, the following are some of the things that I can offer:
My charge for the doula service as above is £1400, though if you cannot afford this, do not hesitate to get in touch, as finance should not be a barrier to people obtaining the support they need ad I'd be very happy to explore possibilities with you. (Usually half the fee is paid upon commitment and the remainder when I go oncall for you)
A doula is someone that will be with you during a very intimate time in your life. People chose doulas for various reasons and I am flexible and non-judegmental in how I support you and your unique needs and desires. It is important that you find a doula that is a good match for you, as a member of the Scottish Doula Network, I suggest you connect with a number of doulas before choosing the right one to support you. If I am the doula you choose, the following are some of the things that I can offer:
- Emotional, practical, physical and spiritual support before, during and after birth
- A minimum of three birth preparation appointments to get to know one another and to explore your ideas, needs and intentions around your pregnancy, birth and postnatal period along with any questions you may have.
- Support in creating an individualized birth intentions list if this is something you would like (often referred to as birth plan).
- I use a tool called Talking Mats to explore aspects of your upcoming birth or to debrief a previous birth experience.
- Referencing and signposting of relevant evidence based research and educational information, and support in making informed decisions that are right for you.
- If you have a partner, we will work together to enable them to support you in a way that best suits you both. Once partners understand a doula's role, they too appreciate the extra support to enable them be present for the birth and to be the best support they can be for their partner. I can offer them reassurance and enable them to take breaks... etc
- I'll be available for contact throughout your pregnancy (via email, phone, text or in person).
- I support your choices and am a listening ear, sounding board and non-judgemental advocate of your decisions. It's your body and you know it best, mothers know what is best for their baby.
- Continuity of care is an important aspect of doula support. We will build up a relationship with one another prior to your birth.
- Birth attendance including the following examples of physical, emotional and practical support as appropriate to your needs - relaxation and pain relief techniques (reflexology, acupressure, massage, homeopathic/herbal remedies among others), providing encouragement and reassurance, communicating with medical staff, protecting your privacy, suggestion of differing positions if required, getting drinks/meals, practical tasks such as filling birth pool, involving your partner and supporting them to support you, simply just being there or whatever else may be right for your situation. (I would be on call and be fully available for you 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after your estimated due date, 28 days in total).
- A maternity reflexology session in advance of your birth
- A minimum of 2 post natal visits for you to share your birth experience and to assist with any issues that may have arisen.
- Referral to various types of local community support
My charge for the doula service as above is £1400, though if you cannot afford this, do not hesitate to get in touch, as finance should not be a barrier to people obtaining the support they need ad I'd be very happy to explore possibilities with you. (Usually half the fee is paid upon commitment and the remainder when I go oncall for you)
I am delighted to be a mentor with the Scottish Doula Network and a guide with Conscious Birthing. Both these communities provide me with a lot of support and rich nourishment. You can find lots of great doulas in the Scottish Doula Network. We encourage you to chat to a number of doulas so you find the one that is right for you.
"My second child's birth was the most amazing, mind-blowing and empowering experience, and having Fiona as our doula was a huge part of making that happen. I feel immense gratitude to Fiona for helping me find the confidence and headspace for our home birth. She provided my partner and I with reassurance, emotional support, a wealth of experience and knowledge and, most importantly, a belief in my body to birth my baby. I feel very lucky to have met her and to have shared the journey of Viggo's birth together. Take Fiona on as your doula and give yourself the best chance possible of having the birth you want!" (Zara)
"It has been such a pleasure having you as our doula. I honestly don't know what we would have done without you during the 48 hours of Leon's labour and birth. For me, you helped turn that situation from something possibly beyond my capacity to come with into something beautiful and inspiring" (Chris, Leon's Dad)
"I can’t recommend the lovely, kind, caring and professional Doula, Fiona, enough. She held my hand throughout my pregnancy and into post partum. Ensuring I felt so well supported and cared for. This included both emotional and physical work (with reflexology). Fiona is so passionate about her work and this really shines through. I’m truly grateful that she was with me throughout this magical time! Thank you Fiona" (Lauren)
"We can't thank you enough for the beautiful way in which you supported us and Leon on his journey into the world. Before, during and after you held us with such strength. The way you are with Leon is a joy to see. And the teas, reflexology, massage... etc, etc gave us such incredible healing. We will never forget the loving kindness you brought to our journey into becoming a family" (Elspeth and Chris)
"Thank you again for helping in every way - it made 100% difference to how I felt and how the outcome was reached - I am very grateful." (K, mother after a vbac)
"It was lovely to have a female companion on the journey. Someone I could be very open and honest with, someone to share my fears and concerns with. Often when I met with Fiona I was feeling scared or tearful but by the end of our meeting I would feel optimistic and hopeful again. She has a very gentle but effective approach. I have such gratitude for Fiona and the tireless support she has given me through this process. She is inherently a very beautiful, warm and loving soul with a deceptive strength of character." (A, doula client)
“I can’t think of any woman who would not benefit from the amazing support of a doula to guide you through a very important time in your life.
As a doula Fiona has a wealth of knowledge in natural, holistic pregnancy and child birth. She acts as your voice, your advocate, an emotional supporter, your advisor. She offers guidance in assisting you with making decisions and choices that are best you. Not only this, Fiona provides practical support in whatever way you need it once your baby is born. From early pregnancy until finding your feet as a new mother (including during labour), she is at your right hand.
Fiona helped me navigate my journey to finally holding my healthy baby in my arms; resolving anxieties, healing past birth trauma, and helping me grow in confidence along the way. I really appreciated the nourishing stews Fiona brought for me and my daughter when visiting us, experiencing reflexology for the first time and the natural remedies supporting me both antenatally and postnatally. Fiona is forward thinking and highly efficient in her many roles. The confidence Fiona instilled in me in my abilities to birth my baby naturally gave my husband confidence in the birth experience too” (Katy Jane)
"It has been such a pleasure having you as our doula. I honestly don't know what we would have done without you during the 48 hours of Leon's labour and birth. For me, you helped turn that situation from something possibly beyond my capacity to come with into something beautiful and inspiring" (Chris, Leon's Dad)
"I can’t recommend the lovely, kind, caring and professional Doula, Fiona, enough. She held my hand throughout my pregnancy and into post partum. Ensuring I felt so well supported and cared for. This included both emotional and physical work (with reflexology). Fiona is so passionate about her work and this really shines through. I’m truly grateful that she was with me throughout this magical time! Thank you Fiona" (Lauren)
"We can't thank you enough for the beautiful way in which you supported us and Leon on his journey into the world. Before, during and after you held us with such strength. The way you are with Leon is a joy to see. And the teas, reflexology, massage... etc, etc gave us such incredible healing. We will never forget the loving kindness you brought to our journey into becoming a family" (Elspeth and Chris)
"Thank you again for helping in every way - it made 100% difference to how I felt and how the outcome was reached - I am very grateful." (K, mother after a vbac)
"It was lovely to have a female companion on the journey. Someone I could be very open and honest with, someone to share my fears and concerns with. Often when I met with Fiona I was feeling scared or tearful but by the end of our meeting I would feel optimistic and hopeful again. She has a very gentle but effective approach. I have such gratitude for Fiona and the tireless support she has given me through this process. She is inherently a very beautiful, warm and loving soul with a deceptive strength of character." (A, doula client)
“I can’t think of any woman who would not benefit from the amazing support of a doula to guide you through a very important time in your life.
As a doula Fiona has a wealth of knowledge in natural, holistic pregnancy and child birth. She acts as your voice, your advocate, an emotional supporter, your advisor. She offers guidance in assisting you with making decisions and choices that are best you. Not only this, Fiona provides practical support in whatever way you need it once your baby is born. From early pregnancy until finding your feet as a new mother (including during labour), she is at your right hand.
Fiona helped me navigate my journey to finally holding my healthy baby in my arms; resolving anxieties, healing past birth trauma, and helping me grow in confidence along the way. I really appreciated the nourishing stews Fiona brought for me and my daughter when visiting us, experiencing reflexology for the first time and the natural remedies supporting me both antenatally and postnatally. Fiona is forward thinking and highly efficient in her many roles. The confidence Fiona instilled in me in my abilities to birth my baby naturally gave my husband confidence in the birth experience too” (Katy Jane)