My Approach
I recognise that everybody's story is different.
And I will not project my ideas, opinions or fears onto your birth journey.
What my own birth story has taught me is the gift of empathy.
Things can be tricky for one, easy for the next and of no interest for another person. So much depends on multiple factors that have shaped our lives.
Past events, family background, upbringing, ethnicity, religion, triggers of fear, etc..
I am non-judgemental of this and it matters to me that you feel safe, held and empowered to make informed decisions that feel right for you. Hospital birth, home birth, pain relief, "all-natural", feeding choices etc.. it's your call!
Whatever happens during your pregnancy and birth, I will be with you every step of the way.
I also want to mention that I will support every person who seeks my services. My door is open to all, no matter what background. LGBT, Special needs, Mental health challenges, Survivors of trauma, Refugees, Speakes of foreign languages, relationship problems, fertility treatment, informed abortion.. the list goes on.
I am a Trauma-Informed Doula, which means that I am trained to support women and families who have experienced trauma in their lives.
Trauma can be as "small" or as "big" as you like. It could be that a first traumatic birth has left you fearful and scared of giving birth a second time. It could be an experience from the past, anything that "hurt" a lot and has stayed somewhere within you.
Often trauma goes quite deep, away from the surface. It can get "locked-in" and sometimes we aren't even aware that it is still there.
Pregnancy, birth and the post-natal period is a time of change and transition and it can un-lock emotions and thoughts that were less prominent previously.
It is also a time of greater vulnerability and openness, a time that needs protection and holding.
I will never try to fix you or remove your trauma.
In a respectful, collaborative way, we can work out plans to support you through this and build a safety net, in case you suddenly feel overwhelmed with what is taking place or with emotions. We can look at what triggers your fears, how you then react, and what we (everyone involved at your birth and afterwards) can do or how we can behave to make you feel less scared and more in control.
