Birth Doula London
Birth doula work is not about double hip squeezes and birth plans. It is about learning how to BE in the presence of conflict and the human experience of living at its most raw and gut wrenching… Amy Gililand
Birth Doula London
I am an experienced birth doula supporting mothers across London to birth their babies with trust, love and courage. I have been supporting mothers for just under two decades; since I became a mother myself because I believe deeply mothers need love and intelligent support at this time of their lives. I trust birth deeply, I know the body knows how to birth; I know your womb wants to birth your baby at the appropriate time and knows exactly how to do that. My job is resource you to know your body; trust your body and take care of your mental and emotional wellbeing on the ride of your Life. I know how to prepare you, support you and advocate for you on this most potent and powerful chapter of your Life.
I support mothers across London. I am based in Kingston – five minutes from Kingston hospital – but for such important work, I am happy to travel – and regularly do.
Helping Mothers to bring their babies peacefully and joyfully into the world
Choosing a doula to accompany you on the birth journey is an act of self-love and empowerment.
- There are many reasons why you may choose a doula:
- You want a birth professional with you who is not a stranger. Someone you have built up a relationship with during the pregnancy.
- You want a birth advocate to ensure that your wishes are respected.
- You want someone to help you navigate the maternity system and explain what all the policies and guidelines really mean
- Maybe you feel your partner is not willing/able to offer you the support you need
- Maybe you are birthing alone.
- Perhaps you’ve got a great partner but you still want a safe pair of hands supporting you both whilst you labour at home
- You want someone with experience to support and encourage you.
Doulas make the birth journey less intimidating, more accessible and, therefore, more enjoyable, certainly more comfortable and definitely more empowering.
“Have a doula! Nadia is FAB! She was a rock, and it was invaluable to have the someone you know and trust with you throughout the labour.”
Birth Doula London
Did you know?
Research now shows that the benefits
of having a doula are:
- 50% reduction in the caesarean rate
- 60% reduction in epidural
- 40% reduction in forceps delivery
- 40% reduction in oxytocin use
- 25% shorter labour
Source: DoulaUK
Birth Doula London
Interested? Read on.
The most important factor when choosing your doula is that you trust her, feel safe with her and enjoy her company. In order to facilitate this:
I would love you to:
- Attend my weekly online classes. That way we can really build up a relationship of familiarity.
- Be willing to embark on a journey of discovery with me because it really can be an incredible journey and the process is all yours. I am there only to facilitate and support you fulfill your birthing journey.
- Be open to birthing without intervention or analgesia – because although nothing is guaranteed, setting a strong intention determines the direction in which we travel.
As a Birth Doula London I can offer you:
Before the birth:
- Three 2.5 hr home visits before the birth with you and your partner. These are usually between 120 and 150 min sessions and are about connection, information and preparation. Some of the things we do may include debrief previous births, explore your birth preferences and assist you in writing a birth pref doc, learn how to get the best from your midwifes and consultants, explore ways in which your partner can support you and I, in turn, can support your partner, relax and enjoy a glass of wine together, relax and enjoy a yoga nidra session together, work through any anxieties or issues you may have, discuss your coping techniques for labour, perform a pelvic mapping session, learn about the hormones of labour and how to encourage them and explore any practical issues such as childcare.
- I will be on call and available for you throughout your pregnancy from the moment you book me by email, phone and text.
- I also offer a resource pack of material that includes a reading list, websites list and a booklet of useful articles to refer to during your pregnancy.
- I have a great library of books, DVDS and CDS which I am happy to lend you.
During your birth:
- On call 24 hours per day for your due period from 37 to 42 weeks,
- During your labour I will join you whenever you feel you need me and accompany you from home to hospital or help you bed-down before the midwives arrive if you are planning a home birth.
- I will offer you (and your partner) continuous emotional, physical and informational support from when I join you in established labour, until you and baby are settled (usually 1-2 hours after baby’s birth)
- I will offer you any assistance you may need with establishing breastfeeding after birth
After your birth
- I’ll return two times to see you. Once in the first three days and a second time during the same week. During these visits we will process your birth experience, carry out a postnatal binding session, discuss feeding and sleeping, try out slings, and offer any other practical, information or emotional assistance you need.
- Support you by phone, email or text, in the early days with questions about the postnatal period, baby and breastfeeding, or other areas for 30 days after your baby was born
My Doula Qualifications
- I am a mother of four having experienced an emergency caesarean and three VBAC home births. I deeply trust birth.
- I am a fully recognised doula with Doula UK since autumn 2007. I completed my doula training with Dr Michel Odent and Lilianna Lamis of Paramana Doula in January 2007.
- I have supported over 150 women through their births in that time including first, second and third births, VBAC, inductions, medicated births and uninterrupted births. I have also supported twins. These births have taken place at a range of hospitals including St Thomas’, St Georges, Chelsea and Westminster and UCL Hospitals, the Royal Free, West Middex, Lewisham and of course at home many times. I love supporting homebirths.
- I am a fully trained and advanced Biomechanics for Birth practitioner; Ill help you move your baby into an optimal position; I have a diploma in hypnosis and I’m also a trained Yoga nidra teacher – which means Ill help you regulate your nervous system and teach you how to still your mind.
- I have since gone onto do many further CPD training sessions with some incredible and inspiring teachers including breastfeeding CPD with Breastfeeding London, Birth trauma recovery with Birth Better, Abdominal Massage for Pregnancy and Postpartum with Dr Rosita Arvigo, and many Pelvic health courses.
- I am a fully trained and accredited BACP Counsellor specialising in Maternal wellbeing. You will feel emotionally and psychologically safe with me throughout pregnancy, birth and into motherhood.
- I ran the Magnetic Mothers Support Group for mothers practicing co-sleeping, long term breastfeeding and baby-led parenting. Naturally I am a big advocate of this way of mothering but I do not push my values on anyone. I support you in YOUR choices.
- Being a Yoga and Mindfulness Teacher, I am a dedicated practitioner and bring the philosophy and spirit of yoga and mindfulness to everything I do. That means you will be physically embodied and mentally resourced as you approach your labour.
- As a fully trained yoga teacher specialising in the perinatal period, I also offer antenatal yoga, mindful birth preparation and mother and baby yoga sessions.
- As a specialist holistic pelvic health practitioner, I will help you prepare your pelvic floor and perineum for birthing and help you to recover your pelvic body afterwards.
Birth Doula London
If you would like to book an introductory meeting with me please get in touch:
nadia@nadiaraafat.com
Birth Doula London
