Doula Support
Emotional, physical and practical support throughout your birth journey
“Whenever and however you intend to give birth, your experience will impact your mind, body and your spirit for the rest of your life”
Ina May Gaskin
What is a doula and how can I make a difference to your experience?
What is a doula
A doula (pronounced doo la) is a person (usually a woman) that primarily supports you during the lead up to birth, during birth and in the postnatal period. They also but offer support to your partner, family members and anyone in your birth space. A doula walks alongside you, like an informed friend.
Doula’s offer emotional, practical as well as physical support but every person’s needs are individual and very personal. This is why finding the right doula to work with, is extremely important, someone you truly connect with where the energy aligns, someone you trust and feel safe with. It’s worth looking around and speaking with a few different doulas so you can get a vibe, what are their views on childbirth, do they align with yours, what’s their energy like, look at their messaging, have they got any reviews or testimonials to see what other families say after working with them? Connection, feeling safe and full trust should be the foundations of your relationship. This will enable you to feel totally relaxed in their presence, fully supported and held. Some people choose to hire a doula in pregnancy to support them leading up to birth, be involved with preparation and hold space when needed, followed by attending their birth. Some people hire a postnatal doula for support during the early days, and some people choose to have a doula that supports them throughout their whole of their journey, even for months after.
A doula can provide continuous support to help you achieve a fulfilling, healthy and happy experience with no judgement, bias, with just love and care. The range or type of support may vary depending on the individual, their skills, passions and experience as a doula. Some parents need physical support, comfort measures during labour, massage, information sharing, emotional support, space holding, advocating and any practical duties along with reassurance. Doulas are not medical professionals, they cannot and should not carry out medical or clinical duties and they cannot make decisions for you. However we can share information with you, look at evidence and support you through making informed educated choices as well as advocate for you. We can help with communicating with professionals and help safeguard your experience. Whether you are expecting your 1st or 6th baby, doula support is invaluable, I have never heard of anyone regretting then investment of having a doula walk alongside them. What you might need and want might be different each time you have a baby..
In many cultures it’s the norm to be help and supported by other women in the family or within the local community during childbirth and through the transition into motherhood, through the 1st 40 days or 4th trimester where women traditionally are being held, nurtured, nourished and loved.
How can I support you as your doula?
As a birth worker of 8 years, Childbirth Educator, Breastfeeding Counsellor, Hypnobirthing teacher, Massage Therapist and mum of 2, I bring all my skills together to offer you support in any way you need. You might need physical support such as massage or biomechanics through labour, you might need emotional support, protecting you or space holding, you might need information or practical help, you might need all of those things. Sometimes simply having someone there in the same room that you trust and feel safe with is enough .
Every mother and family I work with is beautifully unique, everyone’s story is different, everyones hopes and dreams vary but one thing for sure is that every birth is extraordinary in every way. Birth is extraordinary but it’s also completely ordinary. For the majority of people, physiological birth unfolds best when left completely undisturbed, where it’s respected, a mother is treated with love, care and feels safe in the right environment that’s conducive to birth with people around her that she trusts. I pride myself on having a good, strong intuition, alongside the building of the relationship between client and doula to the families I work with have everything you need. My strengths are providing you with education prior to your birth so you feel truly confident, at ease, informed and in your power ahead of your birth. I will also hold space for you emotionally and be your sounding board whenever you need to talk. I’m there as your informed friend, someone you can trust to talk to, to listen and walk with you.
As a skilled infant feeding professional, I can also help in those sacred first few hours as you get settled, protect your feeding journey and help you get things off to a good start. I can also come back for postnatal breastfeeding consultation in the early days if you need further support. I only work with families who have completed The Lemon Tree Birth Preparation Programme, as I know they will be fully prepared and confident to achieve the births they want and deserve. I offer both in person and virtual birth support.
Your experience and memories are sacred
Babies are meant to be attached to their mothers from the moment they are born, almost continuously as they transition from womb to world, which takes around 12 weeks. This is why the 4th trimester should be seen as a continuum of pregnancy. Time for both you and your baby to adjust, get to know each other, rest and establish feeding. Everyone wants to hold the baby, but who is holding the mother, who is holding you both?
Sadly (especially in England), we are expected to ‘do as we are told’ when it comes to birthing, expected to follow guidance of the system, meet expected time frames, tick boxes, get back to normal or fit in those jeans. It’s heartbreaking and not biologically normal to ‘get on with it’ once our babies are born or expect to ‘bounce back’ to who we were! Have you heard of Matresence? Check out an article by author Lucy Jones here. The maternity system works, it’s built as a system to function a certain way, to make money, to act as a conveyor belt with lack of funding, understaffing, lack of resources and unfortunately not treating birth as a sacred special life changing experience.
Birth is NOT built to follow a system, it’s wild, free, beautiful, raw and transformative. It’s also absolutely NOT a luxury to have the support of another woman during this time in your life. Look at other mammals, they come together, move and work in groups, it takes a village.
Will you replace my partner?
Absolutely not, unless you are a single parent and I am your sole support, if your partner cannot be present or if your partner openly shares they can’t or don’t feel able to support you how you need. The majority of the time as a doula I very much support partners AND mothers through birth. One of the main focusses during The Lemon Tree Birth Programme is educating partners, giving them the confidence they need with the tools and information they need to sully support you. As your doula I’m there to support you and your partner along with the rest of your family. I’m there in addition, walking alongside you all. Giving energy, love and support through labour is a LOT for one birth partner to take on, especially when there may be practical jobs, they might be tired etc. I can be there to hold space, encourage you, advocate, listen or share information for you to make any important decisions, stay calm etc or if you have other children to care for.
Your partner is naturally going to be emotionally caught up in the experience which can make taking on all these duties more challenging. I can help take the pressure off as we work as a team.
I support undisturbed physiological home births
Furthermore, I have supported 100’s of families over the past 8 years, I am a mother of 2 myself and I’m immensely passionate about the work I do, it’s my calling to walk alongside women through undisturbed physiological birth, mostly at home but I am open to discuss your birth place options. I also work closely with the Maternity and Neonatal Voices Partnership (MNVP) to make change for the future for women and birthing.
How can you work with me?
If you would like me to support you throughout your birth as your doula, firstly you can choose to book either onto one of my group courses or onto a one-to-one private course to help you prepare for the birth of your baby.
You can find details on how to join a course here. Once you have completed The Lemon Tree Programme we can book your birth power session online or in the comfort of your own home to discuss your personalised support. My commitment to you as your doula and by completing The Lemon Tree Birth Prep course, you will build trust in your body, your baby and your ability to achieve the birth you deserve.
The course also gives birth partners tools, confidence and knowledge to support you with ease. I provide flexible hourly birth support as opposed to set packages, ensuring you are fully cared for from the moment I arrive at your home until you are comfortably settled in bed with your new baby.
If you attend an online course and are not local to me, I can still offer you birth support virtually.
Research, studies and evidence show us that hiring a doula……
- Increases the chance of spontaneous labour (starting on it’s own without intervention), reducing the chances/need for augmentation/further interventions
- Reduces the length of labour
- Reduces the chances of birth trauma
- Reduces the chance or need for medical assistance such as forceps or ventouse birth
- Greatly reduces the chance of a C section
- Reduces the need to use medications, pharmaceuticals and pain relief methods
- Increased birth satisfaction – for mother/birthing person and dads/partners
- Better birth outcomes overall for parent and baby
- Better breastfeeding rates, initiation of feeding and continued breastfeeding past 6 weeks
- Improves health outcomes for mothers and babies
My Why…
When I became a mother for the 1st time in 2016, I was overjoyed, grateful but equally overwhelmed physically, emotionally and practically. Full of love, gratitude, empowerment of how incredible my body was and how beautiful my new baby was. I was also a rabbit in headlights. Overwhelmed with the transition and tiredness that came with becoming a mother. I had also realised that whilst my hypnobirthing course had amazing, on reflection I really could have really benefited from MORE than just hypnobirthing from an education point of view, I had no idea how the system worked and would have absolutely benefited from the support of a doula. This is what led me to becoming a Childbirth educator as I felt families not only needed but deserved more than the courses that are out there and that’s where The Lemon Tree Birth Preparation Programme was born. Just hypnobirthing or popular well known courses designed to make friends weren’t cutting it. People around me were having one intervention after the next. I had the MOST empowering births with both my babies. My 1st daughter was born in a midwifery led unit with NHS care (almost in the bath at home as I was so confident and relaxed) and my 2nd daughter was breech, born at home with Independent Midwifery care during the 1st lockdown of May 2020. Over the years it’s clear to see that non-judgmental, non-bias, loving gentle support is gold.
In my 2nd pregnancy I suffered from anxiety and HG (Hyperemesis Gravidarum) from very early on at about 4 weeks. I instantly reached out to Zara (my doula and now friend) who I felt instantly drawn to, she was my total lifeline throughout pregnancy, someone to listen, hold space and help me navigate every twist in the road. Zara wasn’t even physically with me at my birth in the end be but the relationship we had built and support she had provided was everything I needed. I felt empowered and confident.
I have supported many many parents throughout their journeys. Hospital births, birth centre births, breech births, home births, cesarean births and free births. I now focus on supporting those who wish to birth at home as it truly is the best and safest place for birth to unfold without unnecessary intervention. I am open to discuss your place of birth and if you need to/choose to have a planned C section with a set date, I can also support you to have a more gentle, calm experience. We invest so much in houses, cars, holidays and weddings but what could be more important than the birth of your baby?
“Laura found the perfect combination of supporting me through my birth but also providing me with my personal space. I can imagine this is a difficult balance to achieve but she did it with such incredible intuition & care. She’s an incredibly professional and impressive individual and quite often she knows what you need before you do. Her passion is immeasurable and she is worth every single penny. She also undoubtedly saved our breastfeeding journey”
“Laura was just amazing and everything we needed. She supported us both, my husband and I during the birth of our son. She followed all of our requests but most importantly she was there to support me emotionally and physically throughout. Honestly everyone should have a doula to feel at ease and empowered. Laura is so knowledgable, lovely, kind and respectful”
Free 20 Minute Clarity Call
I offer a free of charge 20 minute clarity call with no obligation to book so that we can get to know each other and you can ask any questions that you may have about doula support. Choosing the right doula and aligning with the right person is really important. Birth is a very sacred and intimate experience. Who you invite into that space can greatly impact your journey. Feel free to contact me via phone or e mail to arrange a call. I look forward to hearing from you
07878 992270
laura@thelemontreebirth.co.uk
Birth Support
From the moment you book your birth preparation course with me, I am there to support you on your journey. Throughout our sessions and over time we will get to know each other, build a connection, build trust and I can help you prepare for the birth you deserve. You can share all your thoughts, fears and dreams. I recommend if you choose me to support you at your birth that we schedule in a power hour or two after you have completed your birth prep course withe me to discuss your personal preferences, wishes and anything specific that is important to you. This can be online, we can grab a coffee or in the comfort of your own home. In our time together, we can discuss what support looks like to you. It might include a lot of emotional support, perhaps more practical, advocating, massage, aromatherapy, using homeopathy, talking, or maybe you don’t know yet or won’t know until the time comes. Simply just knowing I’m there if you need anything might be what you need. I fully trust and believe in physiological birth, which is why I support birthing at home, undisturbed. I fully trust you and your baby. Together we can work through any fears or concerns you might have, find ways to release them, building your confidence and trust. Mindset is key and understanding the birthing process and being able to make informed educated choices is essential. On the rare occasion birth’s journey has twists or turns, I will be there to hold you and help you navigate that path, providing you with the information you need to make decisions that feel right for YOU. One of my strengths is protecting my clients’ birth space and advocating for them if/when needed, I am nor afraid to speak up or colour outside the lines.
It’s important that as a team, your partner and other household/family members share what they might require of me. I’m a very honest and open person, you can all say exactly how you feel. My clients always say how they feel completely comfortable around me, enabling them to be open in return, feel safe and fully relaxed. Our course sessions are online, but I always recommend at least one power session in person so we can have a hug, explore your birth space and do some planning over a cuppa. I offer birth support to families within about 30 minutes of my home in Surrey, near Godstone.
“I don’t even know where to start but wow, what an incredible woman Laura is. The most empowering, supportive, informative, kindest human that everyone needs in pregnancy and labour. I am forever grateful. The best investment”.
Claudette, (Mumma in photo)
Doula Support Offerings
Bloom
Birth Support
In person and virtual
£85 per hour
Where do you support births?
Bloom support is the perfect option if you are looking for support leading up to your birth, during your labour and throughout your birth, even those early postpartum hours. I am passionate about supporting physiological births in my client’s homes. For the majority of people, it’s their safe place, birth is undisturbed and the environment is optimal for healthy, sacred birthing reducing the chances of unnecessary interventions. If for any reason you need or want to transfer to hospital, I will accompany you and continue supporting you there. If you really need to birth in hospital or need to have an abdominal birth, I can also support you. I work closely with my local homebirth team and independent midwives. Feel free to give me a call and we can talk things through. I am based in RH9 Surrey and support births locally to me.
Do you offer packages or set fees?
You will have needed to complete The Lemon Tree Birth programme to access my doula services.
Once you have completed your course with me either as part of a group or privately, we can book a birth planning session together. This can be online or in person, I always recommend we do this over a couple of hours, a planning session in the comfort of your own home, where we can have a cuppa, you can share all your hopes, dreams and any concerns with me. I can support you with planning for the birth you deserve. I can also help you explore your birth space and we can build that trust that’s so important from your doula. I have an abundance of experience when it comes to birth preparation and holding space in the birth room. Preparation, where and who’s there impacts how confident, relaxed and in control you feel. Being able to fully surrender, let go, lean into labour and trust those around you. Not only to achieve the birth you deserve but to also navigate any hurdles with ease.
What’s involved in a birth planning session?
Alternatively, you would be very welcome at my studio. We can explore your birth choices, your dreams, go through skills such as biomechanics or breath work and run through any concerns. I can also get to know your pets and children so they are comfortable with me arriving on the big day.
Pricing £120 – 2 hours online
£150 – 2 hours in person
On call support overnight
The amount of time I support you is your choice
You can choose when I begin supporting you and how long you feel you need me for. Some families will call me out for a few hours if they are facing some hurdles and need holding, help with navigation and motivation. Others will call me out as things are advanced and some want me there for the majority of their experience. and I will go home after a few hours offering some space/time for things to establish and others will call me out to stay with them throughout labour. Sometimes immediately after birth can be a really valuable time for support. Space holding protecting your golden hours, getting you comfortable as you land back down to earth and helping you get feeding established.
If you call me out to your birth in person there is a minimum call out fee of £400 regardless of how many hours I am with you, then beyond £400 worth of support, additional hours will be invoiced at £85ph
Summary of doula support
- For me to support you during labour and birth, let’s work together through The Lemon Tree Birth Preparation Programme. You can choose to book either a group course or work with me privately 1-2-1. I offer both online or in person. My courses all include ongoing message support, full programme materials, audio tracks, affirmation tracks and links to helpful resources. Click here to find out more about what the course entails.
- The opportunity to have me support you night and day leading up to labour, during plus those precious postpartum hours.
- The flexibility to have me for as few or as many hours as you need
- Add on options of postnatal sessions or qualified breastfeeding support sessions in the early days
- On call fees to be paid in advance and birth support hours to be paid within 7 days of your baby’s birth
Book Now
Email – laura@thelemontreebirth.co.uk
Telephone – 07878 992270
Flourish
POSTNATAL Support
£120 | 3 hour Session
The ultimate postnatal support session.
Having loving, gentle, practical and emotional support during this time can be invaluable. Someone to hold space, to hold you, so you can hold your baby and find your feet.
Some sessions might involve a hot cup of tea, cake and a listening ear...
whilst others might involve me caring for your newborn whilst you have some much-needed rest or a break. I am also happy to help you with organisation, help you care for your newborn, massage your aching shoulders or make you a delicious lunch. I suggest if you have older children, it’s best you book a session when they are in childcare/school or being looked after my family or friends. This way I can fully focus on supporting YOU, you can let go and soak up all the energy you need to replenish.
Alteratively you want to spend quality time with your older child/children and I can care for your baby whilst you do so?
If you specifically need breastfeeding/infant feeding support...
please book a separate consultation as this is a completely separate and different service that I provide. It requires skilled time, consultation notes, and follow up. You can find all the information to book an infant feeding consultation here.
Postnatal support looks different to everyone
Current availability
Book Now
Email – laura@thelemontreebirth.co.uk
Telephone – 07878 992270
Blossom
Birth prep
support sessions
£65 per hour
Sometimes we all need a little extra support or a listening ear.
However, I know and understand that sometimes it’s helpful to actually go through things with someone rather than read. Maternity services are often unable to offer families the time and energy they need to ask questions, explore options, or simply to be heard. This is where a power hour or two can be invaluable.
Maybe pregnancy has thrown you a curveball or suddenly you are fearful or told you can’t do something. Perhaps things are going really well but you simply want an additional layer of reassurance and confidence boost. You can book anything from 30 minutes with me to 2 hours to talk, share and explore ahead of your birth.
These sessions are followed up with any relevant links or information discussed/required in the session.
Prices
£35 – 30 minutes
£65.00 – 1 hour
£120.00 – 2 hours
In Person
At my studio in South Godstone, Surrey
£85 – 1 hour
£150 – 2 hours
Book Now
Email – laura@thelemontreebirth.co.uk
Telephone – 07878 992270
Additional bonuses of hiring me as your doula…
- Experience – a doula is an informed friend. A companion to walk alongside you supporting you in many ways but as an experienced educator of 6 years, breastfeeding supporter, doula & mum of 2, I feel I am able to offer you extensive & invaluable support
- Love & care – being your doula is not just my job. Birth work is in my DNA, it’s my passion & a role that I’m extremely passionate about. I know how precious birth is but also the challenges that can sometimes arise, especially when navigating the maternity system. You, your baby & your experience matters. I will hold space for you & advocate for you
- Access to my book library – I have over 100 birth, breastfeeding & parenting books that you are welcome to borrow to explore topics of interest & so that you can learn in preparation
- Access to resources – I have a great set of links, relaxation tracks & resources that I can share with you. These include fear release scripts, birth templates & evidence based studies to help you make informed decisions
- Recommended professionals – as an experienced doula, I work alongside some incredible professionals that I can signpost you to should you need specialist support or information. It’s invaluable to work with people who are recommended & trusted
- Hypnobirthing Teacher & Childbirth Educator – I am an experienced hypnobirthing teacher & childbirth educator. I can support you & educate you with hypnobirthing, biomechanics for birth, offering tools & techniques. I also continuously attend courses/workshops to keep up to date with my skills & knowledge. I have trained with reputable & respected organisations such as The Hypnobirthing Institute, Childbirth International, The Mindful Breastfeeding School & Developing Doulas
- Mindful Breastfeeding Practitioner & Breastfeeding Peer Supporter – As an experienced peer supporter & breastfeeding practitioner I can provide you with breastfeeding eduction before your baby is born & breastfeeding support in the postnatal period. I can also signpost you to local/relevant professionals should you encounter complex breastfeeding problems & offer resources that would be helpful
- Trained in Biomechanics for birth – When it comes to optimal positioning of your baby, biomechanics techniques in pregnancy can support optimal positioning & comfort in your body. The techniques are really powerful in labour for comfort & to aid baby rotate into the most optimal position or support descent
- Trained in massage therapy – I have been a practicing massage therapist for over 15 years. Touch & connection are huge oxytocin boosters. Skin, touch & relaxation feed the mind, fuel the body & soul. Massage therapy also releases endorphins releasing emotional stress & discomfort as well as improve your emotional & physical wellbeing. I am happy to include massage therapy in your antenatal and/or postnatal sessions
- Homeopathy & Aromatherapy – I have used homeopathy & aromatherapy for several years & have both kits in my doula bag should you wish to use them during labour & birth. We can discuss/look at these in your antenatal sessions.
NOTE:
- Fees: For all doula services a non-refundable deposit must be paid in advance to secure your booking or on call days/nights. Remaining fees are due 7 days post birth.
- Travel: All doula services are available to clients who live within a 5 mile radius from my home address RH9. Any distance beyond 5 miles will be charged at my hourly rate.
- Regulations: Doula support is not something that is currently regulated but for your peace of mind I wanted to share with you that I am a fully insured doula ant that I have completed accredited professional doula training before offering my services. I am DBS checked, Insured and have an up to date first aid training certificate. My professional development will be ongoing/continuous so that I offer my clients the best/most current information & quality support
Offering Online Antenatal Courses, Online Hypnobirthing Courses, In person antenatal course Oxted. Hypnobirthing Refresher Courses & Mindful Breastfeeding – In person and online education across Surrey, Sussex, London and the South East