Being a doula is a dream come true for me. I am fortunate in that I love my work as both a doula and integrated health therapist and always enjoy meeting people to teach and learn from. I live in Wandsworth and am currently studying for an integrated masters in Chinese Medicine: Acupuncture at London South Bank University.
I have a passionate and positive approach to life and this comes through in my role as a doula. Pregnancy and childbirth have always fascinated me and I feel very privileged to come into a woman's life at this wonderful and unique time.
Philosophy & Service:
I believe if a woman feels supported and informed as well as physically and emotionally safe she is more likely to achieve the positive birth she wants, something every woman has a right to and lies at the heart of my work.
Every woman's needs and wishes are different and I am not there to push any particular method of childbirth but to encourage you to find your own way of birthing your baby/babies. You know yourself better than anyone else and I am there to support your instincts and choices. I don’t give medical advice or make decisions for you, instead I provide you with continuity of care and ensure that you have all the information you need in order to make informed decisions during your pregnancy, labour and early parenting.
I am not there to take over the father/birth partner's role, instead I work with him/her to give you both the best support possible.
I work closely with some wonderful fellow doulas, Alison Silvester and Siobhan Pearce, this is a reassuring arrangement for both our clients and ourselves, enabling us to offer reliable back up to our clients should the need arise.
The service I offer includes:
An initial meeting to get to know each other and discuss expectations (free) Contact by phone and email throughout your pregnancy as well as postnatally. Several antenatal meetings 24 hour on call period throughout the four weeks surrounding your due date Support throughout labour, bonding and (breast)feeding 1 or 2 postnatal visits and ongoing support in the postnatal period
Additional postnatal support facilitates a smooth transition into parenthood. "Mothering the mother" and generally providing emotional and practical support at this crucial time allows parents time to bond with their newborn and any other children they may have. It is a chance to reflect and discuss the birth and anything that has arisen since; having someone who will listen with a friendly ear, send you to bed when you are tired, take care of the laundry and nourish you with home cooked meals can make a world of difference.
I am happy to hear from people who are planning on hiring a doula using the Doula UK hardship fund.
Related Skills & Services:
Birth and Post-Natal Doula training (Nurturing Birth) October 2006 Breastfeeding Level 2 study day (Nurturing Birth) November 2007 Rebozo workshop with Stacia Smales-Hill December 2007 & July 2009 Breastfeeding workshop with Birth Companions March 2008 Waterbirth study day with Diane Garland February 2009 Birth Physiology study day with Michel Odent March 2009 Level 2 Reflective Birth workshop (Nurturing Birth) May 2009 Postnatal Depression study day with Kathleen Kendall-Tackett, Suzanne Colson, and Michel Odent November 2009
I hold diplomas in Anatomy and Physiology, Holistic Massage, Aromatherapy and Reflexology and have completed additional training in Maternity Reflexology, Pregnancy Massage, Trigger Points, Deep Tissue techniques, and first aid.
Experience & Specialities:
I have supported inspirational women and their partners at home births as well as on both midwife and consultant led units at the following hospitals; St. Georges, St. Thomas', UCH, Queen Charlotte's, Chelsea & Westminster, the Homerton, Kingston, the Whittington and St. Heliers.
I have experience with totally natural births, waterbirths, hypnobirthing, T.E.N.S, gas and air (entonox), through to the sometimes necessary epidurals, assisted deliveries and planned cesareans.
I've also attended twin births and supported several families with twins postnatally.
I am a volunteer with the charity birth companions (www.birthcompanions.org.uk), supporting pregnant women in detention at Holloway prison during their labours.
“It was reassuring to know I had someone who would support us in our decisions about the labour. Maisie made a massive difference to my labour and was a huge factor in me being able to have a home birth as she created an atmosphere where I felt safe and secure to labour alone, and, very importantly, reassured my husband that everything was going fine when he was worried. I think Maisie is an excellent doula- I really appreciated how excited she is about the phenomenon of birth and her positive attitude, which made me focus on how momentous and special labour is, rather than focusing on the pain and what could go wrong” J and M, SW London
“It was great to have a familiar voice telling you to do what feels right. My birth started as soon as the shift change, it was strange having a new midwife as soon as I started pushing, so it was good to have Maisie as a constant trusted face. It was good to have someone to talk to… I have no family here so the extra support was amazing. It was an amazing experience and I fear it would not have been as good without Maisie.” Denise and Todd, East London
“Maisie was excellent at encouraging and grounding me, she was amazing when it came to advice on relaxing, breathing techniques and birthing positions…Maisie helped us with postnatal care, she was a rock and totally helped in everything I needed, making life more manageable in this sensitive time. Maisie was an absoulute star and we consider her a friend and will never forget her and her support. I still feel like I could not have done it without her.” R and M, SW London
“I felt supported, relaxed and understood. It took all the pressure away, as I was unable to carry and lift my baby, I could focus on my recovery as I was able to trust Maisie 100%…Maisie has really been a lifesaver…she is incredibly intuitive and just knows what to do. I felt extremely relaxed in her company and could just be myself (this was the first time we had anyone working in our house). Maisie did lots of cooking and generally the house looked spotless!” T and F, SW London
Please note:
Doula UK is not responsible for the content of external web sites. As much as possible we try to ensure that external links posted by members point only to their own doula-related web sites. If you come across a link that does not do this, please let us know.
Doula UK specifies that trainee doulas should charge no more than £200 for a birth or £10 per hour for postnatal work.
Trainee doulas have completed a Doula UK approved training course but they have not acquired the level of experience necessary for them to become fully recognised. This level of experience is normally four assessed births for birth doulas and four assessed postnatal jobs for postnatal doulas. Recognised doulas have reached or exceeded this level of experience.
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