Natal Nurturing - Doula Services

13/04/2026

Intensive Course across 2 Saturdays in May!

Perfect for the busy couple.

Saturday 16th May & Saturday 23rd May, 09.00 to 16.00 in

Bring your lunch, we’ll provide the drinks, snacks, and two full days of expert guidance, empowering conversations, evidence-based education, tools and techniques for a positive labour and birth, plus all your questions about baby care answered.

Everything you need to feel informed, confident, and truly prepared for birth and beyond.

Who's joining us, we have space for 2 more couples! DM us now or head over to our website (in the comments).

Debbie and Helen,
Antenatal Academy

11/04/2026

02/04/2026

BUMPS AND BABIES MEET UP ! 🤰🏼👶🏼

Our regular FREE Bumps and Babies group is on SATURDAY 11th APRIL in central from 10 until 11.30.

Everyone is welcome at our community meet up, if you are expectng a baby or have a baby, this is for you! Bring your partner and toddler/s if you’d like too!

Helen Fortes (from Antenatal Academy and ) and Debbie Willis (from Antenatal Academy and ) will be there for a cuppa and a chat about all things pregnancy, birth, parenting and babies. Or just come and chat to other like-minded parents and parents-to-be.

Please book in so we can keep an eye on numbers expected, thank you - https://JoyConnection.as.me/bumpsandbabies

See you there!

Helen and Debbie
Antenatal Academy

02/04/2026

Love running these free, monthly, Bumps and Babies meet-ups with Debbie Willis as part of our Antenatal Academy community offer. You don’t have to be a member or a client to come along. Free support, like-minded parents and parents-to-be and a great atmosphere!

To join us for our next one; go to https://www.joyconnection.co.uk/sessions and select Bumps and Babies and choose the date you want to come along.

07/02/2026

A 2025 study published in AJOG adds powerful, up-to-date data showing associations between doula care and improved maternal and newborn outcomes.

Key Maternal Outcomes:

More vaginal births after cesarean (VBAC): For every 100 patients who received doula care, there were 15 to 34 additional VBACs compared with those without doula care.

Higher postpartum follow-up attendance: 5 to 6 more per 100 received postpartum office visits.

Key Neonatal / Infant Outcomes

Increased exclusive breastfeeding rates: Babies whose families had doula support were more likely to breastfeed exclusively.

Fewer preterm births (and early preterm births): Doula-supported births showed a reduction in preterm birth rates.

In short, the study links doula care with improvements in birth outcomes — across birth mode (more VBACs), infant health (less prematurity), and early infant care (breastfeeding, postpartum follow-up).

Read more: https://internationaldoulainstitute.com/2025/11/evidence-for-doulas-new-ajog-study-finds-doulas-improve-outcomes/

01/02/2026

BUMPS AND BABIES MEET UP ! 🤰🏼👶🏼

Our regular FREE Bumps and Babies group is on THIS SATURDAY 7th Feb 10 until 11.30.

Everyone is welcome at our community meet up, if you are expectng a baby or have a baby, this is for you! Bring your partner and toddler/s if you'd like too!

Helen Fortes and I will be there for a cuppa and a chat about all things pregnancy, birth, parenting and babies!

Please book in so we can keep an eye on numbers expected, thank you - https://JoyConnection.as.me/bumpsandbabies

See you there!

Debbie
Antenatal Academy

28/01/2026

26/01/2026

Doula Café is a relaxed, friendly meet-up run by local members of Cambridgeshire Doulas.

Whether you are pregnant or navigating life with a newborn (or multiples), or you are a doula or birth worker yourself, why not come and join us for a cuppa and a chat, in a relaxed space.

There’s no agenda, no pressure, just time to connect, share, ask questions if you want to, and be in good company.

We are meeting at the Piccolo Lounge, Ely, on Saturday 21st February - 10.30am-12pm – no booking needed, just pop in, grab a drink or brunch if you fancy it, and a warm welcome!

13/01/2026

NEW LOCATION UPDATE!

Doula Café is a relaxed, friendly meet-up run by local members of Cambridgeshire Doulas.

Whether you are pregnant or navigating life with a newborn (or multiples), or you are a doula or birth worker yourself, why not come and join us for a cuppa and a chat, in a relaxed space.

There’s no agenda, no pressure, just time to connect, share, ask questions if you want to, and be in good company.

We are meeting at the Piccolo Lounge, Ely, on Saturday 24th January, 10.30am-12pm – no booking needed, just pop in, grab a drink or brunch if you fancy it, and a warm welcome!

03/01/2026

Now taking bookings for 2026! I would love to hear from you if you are considering having a birth doula (in-person and virtual options available).

Do you want to feel fully supported during your pregnancy, birth and postnatal recovery?

Having a doula can significantly enhance the childbirth experience by providing continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to the birthing person and their family.

Unlike medical professionals, doulas do not perform clinical tasks; instead, they focus on offering comfort measures like massage, breathing techniques, and positioning suggestions to ease labour. They also serve as advocates, helping to ensure that the birthing person’s preferences and needs are communicated and respected within the medical setting.

Research has shown that the presence of doula can lead to a shorter labour, fewer interventions such as caesarean sections, and a more positive overall childbirth experience.

Moreover, the support doesn’t end with childbirth; we offer postnatal services to assist with the transition into parenthood, providing guidance on infant care and emotional support during this transformative time.

DM me, or email natalnurturing@outlook.com to explore whether I might be the right doula for you.

03/01/2026

What a year 2025 has been for Antenatal Academy ✨

This year, we’ve continued to grow; supporting, educating and empowering more parents and parents-to-be than ever before.

One statistic we’re especially proud of:
At our local maternity units, around 23–27% of births result in an unplanned caesarean.
For parents who attend Antenatal Academy, that figure drops dramatically… to just 7%.

That isn’t luck. It’s knowledge, preparation and support.

Our courses are designed to help parents stay in control of their birth experience, make informed, evidence-based decisions, and significantly reduce the likelihood of unnecessary medical interventions.

Alongside this, we’ve continued to nurture the heart of what we do: community.

Our monthly free Bumps & Babies meet-ups at in Bury St Edmunds have been the busiest ever in 2025.. a reminder that support doesn’t stop at birth, and that our community of parents and parents-to-be is everything to us.

To everyone who has trusted us with their pregnancy journey, joined our courses, attended our groups, or supported us along the way.. a hyge thank you. It means more than you know, as we just love what we do!

As we look ahead to 2026, our message is simple:
💙 Don’t leave your birth to chance.
💙 Prepare, feel confident, and take charge of your experience.

Happy New Year 🎉

Here’s to another year of informed parents, supported births, and strong communities 👶💪

Debbie and Helen
Antenatal Academy