Philia Birth, Breastfeeding, Postnatal, Banstead (2026)

05/06/2024

Emotions are contagious and the effects of an emotional encounter last.

In pregnancy, during labour, and after birth women are more sensitive to body language and facial expression, so can pick up how people are feeling more easily, even subconsciously. They are vulnerable to catching other peoples emotions. And when you catch an emotion, it sticks , it can make you feel sad or happy, like an emotional hangover from your encounter.

For this reason, as you prepare for your birth, and as you give birth, it’s a good idea to surround yourself with people who you trust, and who are positive and supportive about your birth plans.

Doulas believe that birth works, have been at many positive births and have trained to offer unconditional positive regard to the people they work with and the plans they have made. You’ll know you have someone to stay by your side, who knows you and your plans, and who you can trust.

When you feel unsure, if someone questions your plans, or puts doubts in your mind, you can speak to your doula, knowing that she cares, and she’s there just for you. When you open your eyes, and look up from your hormone fuelled birthing zone, you can catch a glimpse of your doulas face, looking at you with affection and positivity. You will catch her emotions, helping you to achieve as positive birth experience as possible.

Hope the picture of my happy dog made you smile!

05/04/2024

Today I went on a final visit to say goodbye to a client who has had her baby.

We chatted about her birth, and how they are getting on as a new family of three.

As we said goodbye, they headed off on a walk with their new baby in the pram. I watched them disappearing down the road together, holding hands and pushing the baby, and I felt such a strong feeling swelling in my heart.

I had the privilege to walk with them as they brought their baby into the world, to witness the moment they became three, to advocate for them and watch over their precious first moments together, to navigate the first feed. Hoping to make it the most positive and empowering experience that it could be, so that they can start their journey trusting themselves and their ability to parent their baby.

I then say goodbye, and off they walk on the rest of their journey. Birth is not the end, it’s just the beginning.

She asked me during labour, while we sat together throughout the long, dark night, waiting for the surges to grow, ‘Do you get bored doing this?’ and the answer is absolutely not! What an honour it is to be invited to be there.

08/03/2024

International Woman’s Day
To be with woman,
To listen,
To really know,
To sit through tears and joy
To hold
To advocate
To witness the transformation from maid to mother

There’s no job I’d rather do

17/02/2024

And sometimes postnatal doula work looks like walking! I walked for as long as these twins would sleep so that their mummy could have a good sleep back at home.

15/02/2024

When I work as a postnatal doula, we often bake together. Its an opportunity to do something different for half an hour, but also when hands and eyes are busy, it’s an opportunity to talk and share, to connect in a way that probably wouldn’t happen while making eye contact, sitting on the sofa. And bonus is a cake to share together later with a cup of tea.

This lovely chocolate cake was made yesterday to celebrate Valentine’s Day.

16/10/2023

We are very proud to share new evidence of the positive impact that Doula UK doulas make and the growing demand for doula support.

Our members complete an annual return each year detailing their doula work. From this data, we are able to identify the positive impact of having a doula during pregnancy, birth, and after the birth of a baby.

A staggering 2,047 births were supported by a Doula UK doula last year!

We saw an increase in families choosing home birth which was the most popular place to give birth with doula support, closely followed by hospitals and birth centres. 64% of births were spontaneous.

The power of doulas goes beyond the birth itself. With doula support, 99% of families initiated breastfeeding a stark difference to the National average of 71%.

In 2019 research published in the Cochrane Review found continuous support from a doula could improve several health outcomes for both the woman or birthing person and baby. In addition, those who receive continuous support may be less likely to use pain medications, may have shorter labours, and may be more likely to be satisfied with their birth experience.

Doulas provide continuous emotional, practical and informative support to the whole family. If you're curious to find out more about doulas or if you would like to find a doula to support you, visit www.doula.org.uk or click Find a Doula in our link tree.

Doula UK is on a mission to show the world the incredible benefits of doula support, and our research is backing it up!

22/03/2023

It’s world doula week this week, so today, a big hello from me!

I’ve been a birth doula for over 10 years and a postnatal doula for 5.

I have also trained as a breastfeeding counsellor, holistic infant sleep coach, Brazelton newborn baby observation practitioner, Mindful Mamma hypnobirthing teacher and a mental health first aider.

Each additional skill completed as I saw need in the families I work with.

I can now offer comprehensive, evidence based support for the most commonly worried about topics:-
- Preparing for a positive birth
- sleep
- feeding
- Getting to know your baby

Why not have a look at my website if you want to know more.

Www.philiabirth.co.uk

15/03/2023

The Reptile Brain- Part 2 - Labour and birth are an automatic and instinctual process, which means they work by themselves and follow a pattern of behaviour which is similar in all mammals.

They are controlled by hormones from the reptile brain.

During labour and birth the ancient part of the brain is most active.

When allowed to do it’s work, the reptile brain causes labour to begin and progress harmoniously. It releases oxytocin in a pulsatile, positively reinforced way. This means in bursts, where one burst of oxytocin feeds back to the reptile brain and releases a bigger burst. This causes contractions to become more frequent, stronger and longer, allowing labour to progress efficiently.

Oxytocin, also called the love hormone, makes you feel patient, trusting, fuzzy and warm. So when the reptile brain is allowed to do it’s work, labour progresses efficiently and easily and you feel good.

When your thinking brain is active, worrying about labour, this sends messages to the ancient reptile brain that you are in danger. The reptile brain doesn’t have the capacity to think, it just reacts. So, your thoughts activate the reptile brain’s fear response - the fight or flight response. Adrenaline is released, getting you ready to fight the danger or run away. It doesn’t know that the danger is just in your thoughts.

Adrenaline neutralises oxytocin. Your reptile brain tries to stop labour - it isn’t a safe time to have a baby. As oxytocin levels drop, contractions slow, and circular muscle fibres around the cervix contract, keeping your baby in, so you can run away. The longitudinal muscle fibres continue to contract, working against the contracted circular muscle fibres - this causes pain. Blood rushes to your limbs ready to run or fight, so the uterine muscles have a reduced flow of blood, this also causes pain. Adrenaline makes you feel - shaky, anxious and scared. It’s unpleasant. So when adrenaline is released not only does labour become less effective, it becomes more painful and you feel horrible.

All this just because of the thoughts your thinking brain had.

Continued tomorrow….again!

14/03/2023

This is Aida, she has a reptilian brain.

Humans have a reptilian brain too. This term is used to refer to the oldest structures inside the human brain, because they are very similar in structure to a reptiles brain.

The reptilian part of our brain controls the body’s vital functions, such as heart rate, breathing, body temperature and birth.

Your reptile brain causes your heart to beat, and your lungs to breathe, speeding up when you’re stressed or active and slowing down when you’re relaxed. You don’t need to think about how your heart beats, or how you breathe. It just happens. The same as you don’t need to think about when labour starts, or how labour will progress, it just happens.

However, our thinking brain, the newest part of the human brain is able to consciously alter how the reptile brain works. If you think about your breathing, it often becomes awkward, unrhythmical and uncomfortable. If you think about something scary your reptile brain begins to feel scared, it causes heart rate and breathing to increase, getting you ready to fight off the scary thing - it doesn’t know it’s just a thought.

Our thinking brain has the same effect on labour. When a person giving birth stays in their thinking brain, timing contractions, worrying about going to hospital, feeling scared or unsupported, this alters how the reptile brain controls labour, making it awkward, unrhythmical and uncomfortable.

The reptile brain slows down or stops labour progressing effectively. It reduces the release of oxytocin - it doesn’t feel like it’s a good time for labour. It increases the release of adrenaline - so you’re ready to run away. For labour to be as effective, efficient and quick as possible, we need to be able to turn off the thinking brain and allow the reptile brain to do its work as it’s designed to.

Tomorrow I’ll explain about how doula support and hypnobirthing can help you to turn off your thinking brain.

08/03/2023

Happy International Women’s Day.

06/03/2023

Want to get breast feeding off to a good start?

Wish you could have a breastfeeding counsellor available every day, at your home to support you?

You can! I am a fully qualified breastfeeding counsellor and postnatal doula.

I offer a postnatal doula package which includes a visit every day for the first 5 days you are at home. Everyday I can come and chat with you about how your feeding journey is going and use my breastfeeding counsellor knowledge to support you to get feeding off to a good start. I will also use my postnatal doula knowledge to enable you to settle in to parenthood as smoothly as possible.

Visit www.philiabirth.co.uk to find out more.

25/02/2023

I found this note on the door when I arrived at the house of the family I am supporting at the moment. ❤️

Knowing that after a long, hard night with a new baby, someone is going to come and support you in the morning is so relieving.

I’ll listen to how her night has been, watch her feed, hold the baby while they sleep, help keep the house running in whatever way they need today.

A little more rested, calmed and recharged they can carry on with their day.

You’re not meant to do this alone.

Philia Birth, Breastfeeding, Postnatal

05/06/2024

05/04/2024

08/03/2024

17/02/2024

15/02/2024

16/10/2023

22/03/2023

15/03/2023

14/03/2023

08/03/2023

06/03/2023

25/02/2023

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