A doula is a trained professional who provides continuous emotional, physical and informational support during pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period. A doula is not a midwife — we don't perform clinical tasks or make medical decisions. What we do is make sure you're informed, supported and genuinely heard throughout the process.

That depends on what you need! During pregnancy, I'll help you understand your options, prepare for birth, and think through your preferences. During labour, I provide physical comfort, emotional support and a steady presence. Postnatally, I can help with feeding, rest, recovery and the adjustment to life with a new baby. I also advocate with you or for you — making sure your voice is heard when it matters most.

Yes — arguably more so. Hospital midwives are skilled clinicians, but they're also managing large workloads and are responsible to the obstetric team. They may not be there for your whole labour. A doula provides continuous, one-to-one support from start to finish, and stays focused entirely on you.

No. A doula works alongside your midwives and medical team, not against them. My role is to support you and help you understand your options — not to advise against medical care or create tension with your caregivers. Good doula support and good clinical care complement each other. I will support you to ask questions of your care team if you feel the need.

Yes. Whether you're planning a home birth, a hospital birth, an epidural, a caesarean, or something else entirely — I'm here to support your choices, not direct them. I'm also experienced in supporting people who choose to birth without maternity services, if that's the path that's right for you.

Birth can be unpredictable. A doula can’t “fix” this. However, we know the stats show having a doula means you’re less likely to have interventions you don’t need or want. My role isn't to help you achieve a particular outcome — it's to make sure you feel supported and informed whatever happens. That means being adaptable, staying calm under pressure, and helping you process experiences that may not have gone the way you hoped.

Yes. In some hospitals a doula can be present in theatre alongside your birth partner. Even where that's not possible, my support continues before and after — including helping you prepare for your Caesarean, coming to the hospital with you on the day of your Caesarean, and being with you in immediate postpartum period, which is often where caesarean support is most needed.

I've been practising as a doula for over 13 years and have supported a significant number of births across a wide range of settings and circumstances. I'm also an antenatal educator, doula mentor and founder of The Original Birth Connection, a doula training organisation — so birth is something I think about, talk about and teach every day.

As early as you can. The relationship we build during pregnancy is part of what makes birth support work well. Many people get in touch in their first trimester, though I'm happy to talk at any stage. If you're later in your pregnancy and wondering whether there's still time — there usually is.

I keep my caseload small deliberately. You'll never be one of twenty clients I'm juggling — I take on a limited number of clients at a time to make sure I can be genuinely available when you need me. I also ensure I have a back up doula who can provide you with support in the unlikely event I’m unable to get to you in labour. I can also provide doula support as a shared care model if you’d like to guarantee having a doula at your birth who you’ve worked with antenatally.

That's a fair question. Research consistently shows that continuous support during labour is associated with better outcomes — shorter labours, lower rates of intervention, higher satisfaction with the birth experience. But beyond the data, most people who've worked with a doula will tell you that what it gave them was confidence and they had a more positive birth experience because of it. The sense of being genuinely supported through one of the most significant experiences of their life. That's hard to put a number on.

Yes. Virtual doula support is available if you're not local to me, or if you want flexible, accessible support alongside or instead of in-person sessions. This can include antenatal education, birth preparation, and ongoing check-ins.

Get in touch. We'll have an initial conversation — no pressure, no obligation — to see whether we're a good fit. That first call is where it usually becomes clear whether working together feels right. Then if we agree to work together you’ll be asked to sign a contact and pay a 50% deposit. Alternative payment plans are available.