For more information about what a doula is or what a doula can do go to the Doula UK website www.doula.org.uk

Birth can be a positive, satisfying and empowering experience for women and their partners. Having a baby is the most precious, life-changing time and all too often parents come away from it feeling traumatised and disappointed by their experience. I think that every woman deserves emotional and practical support before, during and after childbirth and believe that having doula support can give you the experience you hope for.

Birth Doula

In preparation for the birth I offer at least two antenatal appointments to talk through any previous births (if applicable), your hopes, fears and expectations of the labour ahead. Together we will put together some birth preferences, allowing for the unpredictability of labour, but ensuring that your desires/needs are met and realised. We will spend time looking at the options available to you and your partner. I will be on call 24 hours a day once you reach 38 weeks pregnancy.

Once in labour I will be in constant attendance to give you confidence, help you make informed decisions, facilitate communication between you and the medical staff, remind you of your wishes and to support both you and your partner. I will stay with you after the birth until mother and baby are settled, feeding happily.

Post Natal Doula

Far less formal than a maternity nurse, I can come in and help with whatever needs doing in the house from making sure that there is clean laundry, to running a hoover round, to preparing food (I did a basic training with Leiths School of Food and Wine). I can collect older children from school, walk the dog, pick up groceries or just sit with you and talk through any of your concerns and fears. I will happily support you breast feeding and will be able to show you some techniques to help relieve a baby's discomfort from colic, reflux, wind, constipation etc. All in all I hope to be able to offer relevant support so that you are able to rest and enjoy your new baby/babies.

About me

My children, Alfie and Emily, were born in 2002 and 2005 at Chelsea and Westminster hospital. I had the full gamut of experiences in labour, so am personally qualified to talk about natural pain relief, inductions through to emergency caesareans! People tell me I am both enthusiastic and passionate about what I teach, with an ability to listen and calm. I am a qualified Massage Therapist, specialising in pregnancy; teach regular baby massage classes in South West London and am teacher of the Massage In Schools programme.
I hold an up-to-date First Aid certificate and am CRB checked.

I trained as a Doula with Nurturing Birth (www.nurturingbirth.co.uk) in October 2008 and am now a recognised birth doula. I am working alongside a highly-qualified mentor in order to achieve recognition as a post-natal doula. My 2010 fees are: £500 for the full birth package (including expenses), and £10 per hour for post-natal work (with a minimum booking of 20 hours). Please contact me through the website for more details. Alternatively, you can see my listings on both the Doula UK Find a Doula¯ page, or The Doula Directory through Nurturing Birth.

Testimonials include:

Sophie “helped me and my partner to feel relaxed and informed. Her presence made me feel everything was ok. In the postnatal period she was fantastic! Coming over the day we got home to check on us, phoning and texting to ask how I was, giving advice. [Having a Doula] made the birth a fantastic and positive experience. Fantastic value for money and amazing support and kindness” - Robyn Porter, mother of Morven

“Just wanted to say thank you so much for all your support leading up to and during the birth of Dylan. The experience was overwhelmingly positive – no one can believe how well I look. Roll on number 3!” - Christine Agnew, mother of Dylan

“Sophie made what was a special experience truly magical, her support and experience enabled us both to relax and follow our instincts much easier than we could ever have done should she not have been there. She was great with the midwife, showing her respect but still ensuring our wishes were heard. Our midwife since commented that she thought Sophie was amazing and one of the easiest doulas she had ever worked with. We owe Sophie so much for being an essential part of our amazing birth experience and bringing our beautiful son into the world in such a positive way. We can’t imagine what it would have been like without her.” - Clare Orridge, mother of Thomas

“I can never really express how grateful I am for your unbelievable support during the birth of my beautiful daughter Violet. To have a natural birth with this pregnancy was my absolute aim, but whether I would achieve it was a question that lurked in my mind. But I did it! All because of your strength and support. Thank you also for the support you have given me post-birth. I have felt relaxed and able to bond welll” - Sally Nash, mother of Violet