The Essex Birth Company

09/09/2025

A few weeks ago, I attended a lovely home birth, the baby was born before the midwife arrived into an oxytocin filled room with confident and knowledgeable parents, who’d also taken my hypnobirthing programme and opted for lots of birth prep.

Mum was an absolute powerhouse and dad was a wonderful support. It was a pleasure to support this family and seeing dad lift baby into the world, just them, calm and quiet, whilst I sat with the dog.

Sometimes a doulas job is to sit back and let the magic happen! 🥰

07/09/2025

At The Essex Birth Company, I want you to know this is a safe, welcoming space for all, whether you’re part of the LGBTQ+ community, whatever your ethnicity, neurotype, if you’re disabled, whatever your socioeconomic status, something else or if you’re navigating life with multiple layers of marginalisation.

As an autistic ADHDer living with fibromyalgia, I resonate with the importance of being seen, understood, and supported. I also recognise my privilege of being white and middle class, and I don’t take that for granted.

It matters a great deal that birth businesses and professionals hold space for diversity and inclusion, because inequity in maternity care is a reality…

According to MBRRACE-UK data, Black and Asian women are more likely to die during pregnancy or childbirth than white women

Those living in the most deprived areas also face an increased risk

Disabled women in the UK face awful disparities too. Higher chances of stillbirth or neonatal mortality, higher rates of caesarean, lower odds of breastfeeding, and higher odds of longer postnatal hospital stays

I’m a dedicated ally and advocate for equitable, inclusive maternity care, with a strong sense of justice, a passion for birth rights, and a belief in human rights. I’ve got plans in motion to make my services even more accessible and to actively support more people from diverse and multiply marginalised backgrounds. (Watch this space in about a year, once I’m fully qualified in my latest educational adventure!)

In the meantime, please know that I’m here for you. Whoever you are, you are welcome www.theessexbirthcompany.com

06/09/2025

When people ask me what the essentials are for a ‘good birth’ I always say one thing….a well informed birth partner.

I’m about to visit a couple for their birth debrief session, who I supported in a wonderful home birth recently. It was a really special birth and the dad was a super star, in terms of support, enthusiasm and advocacy, even catching the baby.

A confident birth partner protects your space, reminds you of your power, and says “No, she said no.”

A birth partner should attend birth prep sessions, really participate and get onboard. A birth partner should know your wishes and points on your birth plan/preferences inside out, and be able and willing to advocate for you and understand birth rights. Sometimes dads/partners struggle with assertiveness and lack confidence. This is where a doula can be an absolute dream, supporting the whole family and providing advocacy and brining confidence. You can create a wonderful team!

03/09/2025

You may wonder why I’m always talking about mental health in terms of the perinatal period. Here’s why…

🔵 Su***de is the leading cause of maternal death between 6 weeks and 1 year after birth.

The MBRRACE UK report for 2019–2021 confirms that su***de remains the leading cause of direct maternal death in the period from six weeks to one year postnatal, accounting for a staggering 39% of direct deaths in this timeframe

According to the most recent data (2021–2023), mental health related causes, including su***de and other psychiatric disorders, accounted for over a third (34%) of late maternal deaths

🔴 Mental ill health, especially su***de is a major contributor to all maternal deaths in the first postnatal year.

Earlier data (2018–2020) showed that 40% of maternal deaths within the first postnatal year were due to mental health-related causes, with su***de remaining the leading direct cause.

🟡 Rates and recent trends.
Su***de during pregnancy or in the first six weeks postpartum increased approximately threefold in 2020 compared with 2017–19.


These numbers show the urgent need for early screening, coordinated perinatal mental health care, and removing barriers to women seeking and receiving help, particularly for people with multiple areas of marginalisation. Please reach out for support if you need it or know someone in crisis.

***deawareness ***deprevention ***de

01/09/2025

So excited about this!

Today I kicked off the ND Birth Prep Course with

Already loving the content and can’t wait to watch more. I’ll share more once I’ve completed the course!

31/08/2025

It’s not just nappies and night feeds. It’s remembering appointments, noticing when you’re low on nappies, managing emotion (for everyone), lacking in sleep, isolation, wondering if you’re doing it right and chores galore. The invisible work is real, and it’s heavy. You’re not imagining it.

Rest, take time, ask for help, hire a doula, connect with others, get fresh air, leave the washing for someone else and care for yourself too

26/08/2025

It’s Black Breastfeeding Week

This week is dedicated to uplifting and celebrating the Black breastfeeding journey, while also shining a light on the unique challenges Black mothers and families face.

From lack of representation to systemic racism, intergenerational trauma, and socio-economic inequities, these barriers make support and awareness more important than ever.

Together, let’s honor resilience, raise awareness, and advocate for equitable care and support for every black family.

23/08/2025

This is what happens when I’ve supported a birth all night and get home, tuck up in bed and ‘think’ I may get a few hours sleep…apparently I was very missed and 2 of my fur babies decided not to leave my side for the rest of the day! Who needs sleep anyway 🤣

23/08/2025

Crying spells in the early days? That could be baby blues. But if sadness, anxiety, or disconnection linger beyond 2 weeks it could be postnatal depression. You deserve support, not silence.

The postnatal period should be mostly a positive experience. I’m not saying it’s easy and sleep deprivation is likely at times, but a low consistent mood needs looking into.

Speak up…speak to your GP, doula, midwife, health visitor, a counsellor and/or your family and friends.

22/08/2025

Sounds like such a supportive reunion

🌟Essex NICU Families Reunite🌟
A new supportive peer group for parents, caregivers and families who have navigated the NICU experience. Join a supportive community that understands your triumphs and challenges!

🌈 Regular meet ups from the Chelmsford West Family Hub, Dixon Ave, CM1 2AQ as well as local meet ups in the community.
📍 If you're a NICU parent or caregiver, connect with others who have walked in your shoes!
💕 Join the Facebook group for updates on local meetups and events
NICU Families Reunite - Essex
or 📧 email NICUfamiliesreunite@outlook.com to stay informed

Led by a NICU parent and a dedicated nursery nurse from Broomfield Hospital, this peer-led support group is a safe space for you to thrive! 💫

(Please note: this group is not run directly by our Service- but by passionate parents, for parents. Reach out to them directly for group enquiries)

19/08/2025

Are you confident in your rights to a VBAC or HBAC?

You still have lots of choices e.g., place of birth, water birth, not to have continuous monitoring & more (we’ll look at the evidence based data).

Would you like to know about the stages of labour, coping strategies & what will happen to your body & baby during birth?

These are a few of the things we talk about during the VBAC prep workshops, but we cover so much more:

⭐️ Feelings & emotions surrounding a VBAC & exploring feelings regarding previous birth/s.
⭐️ Safety, statistics & what the research says.
⭐️ Personalised Care and Support Plans. Creating a supportive care team.
⭐️ Coping mechanisms eg TENS, aromatherapy, massage, breathing, water, affirmations, medical pain relief, oxytocin & more.
⭐️ Hormones associated with birth. How to increase the hormones that promote birth.
⭐️ Biomechanics for birth & foetal positioning.
⭐️ We will break down each stage of labour & the birthing process, discussing what may happen & what you can do to promote a happy productive birth.
⭐️ Preparation for your chosen birth partner. How they can be involved and what they can do.
⭐️ What if plans change and how to make informed decisions.
⭐️ We will also cover everything that is discussed in The Essex Birth Company’s standard Birth Preparation Workshop.

You can ask any questions that have been playing on your mind. You will leave feeling confident, knowledgeable, and prepared for a positive birth experience. 

You will receive a free 110 page VBAC guide and relaxation audios, created by The Essex Birth Company to keep and refer back to.

Please see website for more information and to get in touch
https://www.theessexbirthcompany.com/vbac-preparation