Your Birth Journey - Birth & Postnatal Doula in Ceredigion

01/09/2025

The NHS are currently doing a All Wales Maternity review. Contact details to feedback on your care in comments in the post below👇

26/08/2025

🌸🤱Mothers Circle in September / Cylch Mamau ym mis Medi🧑‍🍼🌸
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A soothing, rejuvenating space for mothers at any stage — with babies, toddlers or older children welcome too.
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Thursday 4th September
10.30-11.30
Dail Bach - Little Leaves in LLangeitho
£10
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Hosted by Tomoko, an experienced doula and birthworker.
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Spaces are limited. Reserve yours by messaging me or emailing Tomoko at yourbirthjourney.doula@gmail.com by Tuesday 2nd September.
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🤱Are You...
- A mother with a young baby, toddler or older child? ​
- Feeling alone or isolated on your motherhood journey? ​
- Looking to connect with other like-minded mothers? ​
- Hoping to share your honest feelings in a safe and supportive space? ​
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🧑‍🍼What You Can Gain from the Circle: ​
- The feeling of being truly heard ​
- A reminder that you’re not alone ​
- A sense of connection and calm ​
- Time to focus on yourself
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Motherhood begins anew with the birth of your baby, and it's a journey that requires support, encouragement, guidance, and a space to nurture yourself.
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🌿Open to All Mums! 🌿
This month we’re meeting in nature, where little ones can explore while we take time to nurture ourselves. Usually for mums with babies up to 12 months but this time mothers at any stage are warmly welcome💛
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If financial concerns are keeping you from attending, please reach out.
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Come as you are, and for any inquiries, feel free to message me or email Tomoko at yourbirthjourney.doula@gmail.com💌

20/08/2025

Have you signed the petition yet?

In April 2025, we launched a petition calling on the UK Government to fund better physical and mental healthcare for HG sufferers, tackle treatment inequities, and guarantee mental health support within 2 weeks of referral.

🖊️ We need to get 10,000 signatures to get a response from Government, and the clock is ticking.

It takes less than 2 minutes to sign but could make a huge difference to the future of HG care. We’re campaigning for real change, and your support matters.

Sign the petition here: https://ow.ly/zgSk50WFg0v

13/08/2025

A HG sufferer has this week bravely shared her heartbreaking story with and , in the hope of changing medication availability in Wales.

Sarah Spooner from Monmouthshire has launched a petition calling for Xonvea to be added to the formulary in Wales.

The All-Wales Medicine Strategy group (AWMSG) who advises the Welsh government about the use, management and prescribing of medicines, appraised the drug in 2019 and says its recommendation from 6 years ago is still "current" and it "does not recommend routine use due to insufficient cost-effectiveness data."

Different combinations of drugs will have different results for individuals, but women should have all options available to them, regardless of the cost of Xonvea.

If you agree, please sign Sarah's petition https://ow.ly/vqQf50WCOXy

11/08/2025

✨4 Years in West Wales✨
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Four years ago, we arrived here knowing absolutely no one — just trusting the universe to guide us to the right place.
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It wasn’t easy starting my doula work in an area where many had never heard of a doula.
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But connection by connection, I found my people. My groups feel like a small but deeply needed community and each client and family has left a mark on my heart💛
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Thank you to everyone who’s welcomed me, trusted me and shared this journey. I’m so glad we put down roots here🌿
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(We all climbed Snowdon together this summer — such an achievement!)

10/08/2025

🟣 NEW blog post VIDEO!
I am sharing the full video lesson 'Induction vs Spontaneous Labour' on my blog.
In the video, I explain the key differences between induced and spontaneous labour. This is essential knowledge for any woman considering or planning an induction, and for care providers supporting informed decision-making. Head over to my blog to watch the video (link in bio or below) and share with anyone you think would appreciate the information.
https://www.rachelreed.website/blog/induction-vs-spontaneous-labour

09/08/2025

🌟🤰Your Birth Story🤰🌟
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- Inspiring stories of local births in & around Ceredigion -
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Your Birth Story 11 – "Your Body Knows What It’s Doing"
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Roxanne shares two beautiful and honest home birth stories — both quick, powerful labours, with her first baby arriving at 36 weeks.
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Follow one mother’s journey through fast-paced births, unexpected timing, and the deep trust she placed in her body and instincts.
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This is a story of surrender, intuition, and the strength that rises when you're surrounded by the right support.
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➡️ Read the full story here: https://www.yourbirthjourneydoula.com/post/your-birth-story-11-your-body-knows-what-it-s-doing
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💖Want to share your birth story?💖
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We’d love to hear from you!
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Your Birth Story aims to highlight real voices from local mothers and parents, no matter how you birthed — whether it’s a home birth, an epidural birth, or a Caesarean birth.
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If you're happy to share, please reach out.
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Contact Tomoko at yourbirthjourney.doula@gmail.com and let your unique birth story inspire others on their journey. 🤰👶💖

Roxanne shares two beautiful and honest home birth stories — both quick, powerful labours, with her first baby arriving at 36 weeks. Follow one mother’s journey through fast-paced births, unexpected timing, and the deep trust she placed in her body and instincts. This is a story of surrender, in...

01/08/2025

🌟🤰Pregnancy Circle in August / Cylch Beichiogrwydd ym mis Awst🤰🌟
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Thursday 14th August
19.00-20.30
Aberystwyth, Merched y Wawr
£20 per person*
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Hosted by Tomoko, an experienced doula and birthworker
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All stages of pregnancy are welcome.
​
*Due to an increase in venue hire costs, the price has increased to £20.
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🌟Spaces are limited in this small group. To reserve your spot, message me or email Tomoko yourbirthjourney.doula@gmail.com by 12th August🌟
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🤰Are You...
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- Looking to navigate towards the birth experience you desire?
- Wanting to strengthen the connection with your body and growing baby?
- Seeking connection with other like-minded mothers? ​
- Hoping for a different pregnancy or birth experience this time? ​
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🤰What to Expect After the Circle:
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- Re-centre yourself and reconnect with your baby
- Positive feelings about your pregnancy and birth journey
- Deep relaxation
- Self-discovery and insights about your journey
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🌟Words from Participants🌟 ​
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“I have had the most wonderful, relaxing experience and have learnt so much about myself and my journey. I feel so connected now and will go away with a new found confidence.”
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“Thank you. This session has given me confidence back in myself regarding birth advocacy.” ​
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“A lovely space to talk openly and feel grounded in my pregnancy journey. Thank you for listening and helping me to feel more confident ###”
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For more details: https://www.yourbirthjourneydoula.com/pregnancy-circle
Previous session: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1A9rZJgdKT/
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If financial concerns are keeping you from attending, please reach out.
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Come as you are, and if you have questions, don't hesitate to message or email Tomoko at yourbirthjourney.doula@gmail.com💌

24/07/2025

It was when my boys were 1, 3 and 7 years old, and we were living in Bangkok, Thailand.
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My physical and emotional health had hit rock bottom.
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My entire life revolved around my children and I hadn’t even considered giving myself time.
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I just kept going, even while carrying the deep grief of losing my mother and best friend — on top of the busy life of raising young children and moving across countries — until one day, something snapped.
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That’s when I learned one of the most important lessons:
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You can’t pour from an empty cup.
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One afternoon, while my youngest napped, I left the dishes and laundry behind and rolled out a yoga mat. I pressed play on a yoga video — and for the first time in 7 years, I breathed for myself.
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That moment changed everything.
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I gave myself permission to feel whatever came up.
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I still vividly remember how the greenery in the background and the gentle sounds of the park in that video felt like a lifeline in a concrete city where nature was hard to find.
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https://youtu.be/AF9d2Icl4fA?feature=shared
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Fast forward to now — my boys are older and more independent but summer holidays still remind me just how essential self-care is.
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To be the kind of mother I want to be, I have to care for myself, too.
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For the past 9 years, taking just 20 minutes for yoga first thing in the morning — before the kids wake up — has helped keep me going.
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What does your self-care look like this summer?🥰

19/07/2025

Really excited to hold our Mothers' Circle in this beautiful space, with a safe area for little ones to explore, in September.
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Mothers with children of any age are welcome🥰
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Spaces are filling up — message me if you're interested!

16/07/2025

🌸🤱Postnatal Circle Update🤱🌸
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We had a truly lovely Postnatal Circle last week in the gorgeous summery weather.
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We began by checking in with how each of us was doing on our motherhood journey, then moved into a powerful 'self-love' creative journaling activity from Maternal Journal.
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Each of us had the opportunity to reflect on what we love about ourselves.
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As mothers, we often centre everything around our children and can sometimes forget who we are. This was a gentle reminder to honour ourselves, too.
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We held space to openly share the highs and lows of motherhood, acknowledging our feelings without judgment and listening with presence.
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It was also comforting to recognise the common threads in our struggles and inspiring to hear the different ways we each approach daily challenges.
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We closed the circle with a strong sense of solidarity — a deep reminder that we are not alone in this journey through motherhood💛
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🌸🤱🧑‍🍼🌸 ​
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Next Circle – New Location!
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We’ll be taking a short break in August and the next Circle is set for Thursday 4th September 10.30-11.30am at Dail Bach - Little Leaves​ in Llangeitho!
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This new space has a safe outdoor area where little ones can explore nature while we mothers take time to nurture ourselves.
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Whether you're in the early weeks, navigating toddlerhood, or coming solo for some space — you are warmly welcome.
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It offers a soothing, rejuvenating space for mothers at any stage.
​
You’re invited to share your honest thoughts, feelings and stories in a safe judgement-free environment.
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If you’d like to join us (new mothers are always welcome!), feel free to message me or email me at yourbirthjourney.doula@gmail.com🥰

09/07/2025

🌟🤰Pregnancy Circle in July / Cylch Beichiogrwydd ym mis Gorffennaf🤰🌟
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Thursday 17th July
19.00-20.30
Aberystwyth, Merched y Wawr
£20 per person*
​
Hosted by Tomoko, an experienced doula and birthworker
​
All stages of pregnancy are welcome.
​
*Due to an increase in venue hire costs, the price has increased to £20 from this month.
​
​
🌟Spaces are limited in this small group. To reserve your spot, message me or email Tomoko yourbirthjourney.doula@gmail.com by 17th July🌟
​
​
🤰Are You...
​
- Looking to navigate towards the birth experience you desire?
- Wanting to strengthen the connection with your body and growing baby?
- Seeking connection with other like-minded mothers? ​
- Hoping for a different pregnancy or birth experience this time? ​
​
​
🤰What to Expect After the Circle:
​
- Re-centre yourself and reconnect with your baby
- Positive feelings about your pregnancy and birth journey
- Deep relaxation
- Self-discovery and insights about your journey
​
​
🤰Here's a glimpse of what we do: ​
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- Circle Time ​
- Topic-Based Birth Preparation Activity, such as: ​
​ 🌱 Exploring birthing positions ​
​ 🌱 Creating birth affirmations ​
​ 🌱 Learning how to advocate for yourself ​ ​ ​ ​
​ 🌱 Birth Plan Workshop
​ 🌱 Practical Home Birth Preparation
​ 🌱 Fourth trimester preparation
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For more details: https://www.yourbirthjourneydoula.com/pregnancy-circle
Previous session: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1A9rZJgdKT/
​
If financial concerns are keeping you from attending, please reach out.
​
Come as you are, and if you have questions, don't hesitate to message or email Tomoko at yourbirthjourney.doula@gmail.com💌