Malama Mama UK

Continuum doula in Somerset, offering support & continuity of care through the antenatal, birth & postnatal period. I suppose that is how I became a Doula.

I am a mother of one, wife, daughter, sister, auntie and friend. Family are very important to me and are the primary focus of all that I do. During my pregnancy, through birth and postnatally, I began to educate myself about pregnancy, birth and beyond. This quickly turned in to a passion when I became more knowledgeable of the choices that expectant mothers have available to them and how hard it can sometimes be to access this information. I have a strong desire to support and empower women to birth the way they wish and trust in themselves and their bodies. I completed my Continuum Doula course in October 2020 and believe there is a huge window of opportunity for you and your family to become informed and knowledgeable about your birth and the choices you have available to you. Being a Continuum Doula means I am trauma informed and attachment aware. I believe in being inclusive and aim to be an ally for yourself and your family by advocating for you and offering non-biased, evidence based information. I have many resources that I can share with you, which will empower you to make informed choices in your pregnancy and for your birth. As a Continuum Doula I offer a highly personalised and individualised service consisting of the following:
6 antenatal meetings
Attendance of your birth
6 postnatal meetings
Following the Continuum method allows me the time and space to really get to know you and your family; building a harmonious relationship and allowing me to signpost you to the right one to one support for your individual needs. Certified Training:
*Continuum Doula training with Katherine Woodbury of Continuum Doula Training
*Paediatric First Aid
Workshops:
*Birth Anatomy and Physiology with Eleanor Hayes of Birthzang
*'Beaded Birth Lines' with Katherine Woodbury
*Introduction to Placentas, remedies and placenta art with Lucy Hewitt, Placenta Remedies Specialist
*Infant feeding top tips with Katherine Woodbury, NCT breastfeeding counsellor
*Understanding the midwives role and birth emergencies with Suyai Steinhauer, Independent Midwife
*The politics of Parent hood. Understanding the NHS system, being inclusive and culturally competent and more with Amber Strong, MVP representative
*Learning how to take a good antenatal/birth/postnatal picture, with Sarah Gichie, Professional Birth Photographer

I am regularly continuing my professional development through both certified training and self study. I have a full, clean driving licence and am fully CRB checked. Please get in touch if you would like to know more about what I can offer and how I can support you. I am happy to work with you through the antenatal, birth and prenatal stages.

“For far too many, pregnancy and birth is still something that happens to them, rather than something they set out consciously and joyfully to do themselves.” - Sheila Kitzinger

26/09/2025

Did you know that the placenta is the only organ in the body that disposes of itself once it’s no longer needed? It grows & works specifically for the purpose of keeping your baby alive & although the blood of mum & baby transfers through it, it never actually mixes. 
Today, it is normal practice for there to be a delay in clamping the umbilical cord after birth. But, if it’s something you’d definitely like, I suggest putting that in your birth preferences. Especially if you have a caesarean (planned or unplanned).  I would also encourage you to explore your other options, such as “waiting for white” or a “lotus birth”, to feel into what really feels right for you and your baby. We must remember, one size does not fit all. 
The benefits of delaying the cord clamping include: 👉🏼 Baby receives more of their blood compliment  👉🏼 Higher iron levels for your baby’s brain development 👉🏼 The placenta acts as a natural resuscitation aid, meaning better oxygen supply from the moment they are born 👉🏼 Better nutrition right from the start 
Clair ###

23/09/2025

DOULA AVAILABILITY

September is almost over & I can’t quite believe that another school year has begun!

With the changes of the seasons from Summer to Autumn, it also has me reflecting on my business, my priorities & what I would like for the coming months. As such, it’s time I got a bit more active on the ole socials again & what better way to start than with my availability.

The end of the year is shaping up incredibly well for me, but I do have one birth space left available. If you are due your baby in November, you’re not too late & this could be your slot.   The beginning of the year is starting to take shape, but there are still some places available for both birth &/or postnatal support, so do let me know if you would like to arrange a connection call to talk about your support needs more.

My services don’t stop at in-person birth & postnatal support. I offer other services such as Antenatal Workshops, Power Hours, Birth Trauma Recovery & Infant Feeding Support. Follow the link in my bio to take a look at all my services and what that support could look like for you. 
Clair ###

23/09/2025

26/02/2025

THE FOURTH TRIMESTER

The fourth trimester is described as the first 12 weeks after your baby has been born. It’s a time of huge transformation for you, your baby & your family, with big changes taking place for you all both emotionally & physically. Yet, for some reason, we don’t seem to talk or prepare much for this phase & it can have a great impact on our ongoing wellbeing. It’s something I’m hugely passionate about!

In other countries it’s totally normal for the mother & baby to spend this time in bed; bonding, initiating breastfeeding, resting & recuperating. Rather than spending that time doing chores, getting on top of housework or entertaining friends & family who have come over to meet the new baby.

Now, I appreciate that 12 weeks in bed is simply not possible or even appealing for many new parents. But if you’re able to start thinking about the postnatal days in the antenatal period, you’re one step closer to having a plan that can support you as you navigate through this transition.

If you would like to get your hands on my free Postnatal Planning resource, which will help you with prompts and things to consider COMMENT “POSTNATAL PLANNING” below & I’ll send the details straight across to your inbox.

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20/01/2025

2024 REVIEW

It’s a little late coming, but that’s because my year has started, just as the previous one ended…busy!

You’re not going to find me complaining. I love it and I feel so grateful to call this my ‘job’.

Although in 2024 I didn’t support loads of families (certainly not as many as I did in 2023). The families I did spend time with received a real continuity of care, for longer spells of time. The aspect of my job which I am most passionate about.

If you’re expecting a baby in 2025 and you’re interested to know how my doula support could benefit you and your family, comment “2025 BABY” below and I will send you more details.  ###   

15/01/2025

BIRTH TRAUMA

The most recent research shows that as many as 1 in 3 parents would describe their birth as traumatic and the reports that a shocking “4-5% of mothers and 1% of partners develop PTSD after birth”. That equates to around 30,000 birthing parents each year and I believe this could be far higher, as this is only data taken from people who have taken part in the surveys/research.

Birth trauma can have a long-term negative affect on a person’s health and can cause ongoing implications and suffering due to birth injury, obstetric violence, breastfeeding problems, bonding, relationships and more. It affects people physically and emotionally in a really profound way.

So in the postnatal days, please consider very carefully the words you use and what you say to new parents.

“At least you have a healthy baby.”

Using dismissive statements like this can be extremely invalidating of their experience and can cause a person to close off their emotions and process them effectively in the way they need to.

Yes, physical health is important, but mental and emotional wellbeing are as equally important.

The next time someone speaks to you about their birth experience try to come from a place of empathy and understanding rather than feeling like you need to “fix” it or make it better. Really take part in engaging in the conversation and listen to what they have to say. You might choose phrases like:

“I’m sorry you weren’t listened to/supported/informed the way that you should have been.”
“I’m here to listen.”
“That sounds really hard.”
“What do you need?”

This could be all that mother/father needs in that moment and your support will mean everything to them.  For more advice, support and signposting, drop me a message and I can send you some links.

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📸 credit for this great image goes to .doula

27/11/2024

Some mothers may believe that if they are having a caesarean birth they don’t have any choices regarding their birth experience/environment and that they have to leave the controllables in the hands of their care provider.

But I am here to tell you that is not the case.

Although there may be some elements that are set by trust policy/guidelines, there are many things that you can ask your care provider to support you with, meaning you can make an environment (and therefore an experience) that is fitting to your individual wants and needs and therefore leaving you feeling more calm and in control.

If you want to:

Listen to music
See your baby being born
Delay the cord clamping
Experience the golden hour
Want to keep your baby with you until the first feed

These are all within the realms of possibility.

Taking the time to research, educate and prepare your birth preferences will give you additional tools to discuss your options with your midwife and empower you to make the decisions that feel right for you.

It’s often not the end result, it’s the process.

TAG A FRIEND WHO NEEDS TO KNOW THIS.

21/11/2024

Continuum doula in Somerset, offering support & continuity of care through the antenatal, birth & postnatal period.

16/09/2024

DOULA ON CALL

I am in full swing of being on call again. Ready & waiting for the phone to ring, at any time & for my expectant family to request me to join them.

The antenatal preparation sessions have taken place. I always keep one held for on or around the due date, to check in & see how things are going. But on the whole, the work has been done & now it’s time for everyone to rest & be patient.

During this time:

My phone is by my side 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

My doula bag is packed & goes everywhere with me

My fuel tank is never less than half full

Work & personal plans are made, but always tentatively; (my attendance at the birth is always my top priority)

Sometimes my family are on call for me, to support with childcare

But most importantly…

I take time to rest, tune in to my mind & body & allow myself what I need, so that when the call comes I am ready to step into their birth room & hold space in any way they need.

I have space to support one more birth this year, in November & my calendar is open for next year. If you’re interested to find out more, drop me a message or visit my website (link in bio).

Image, kindly shared with permission.

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11/09/2024

ANTENATAL & POSTNATAL WORKSHOPS

Are you currently pregnant & seeking:

*Support in finding the answers to your questions?

*Knowledge to help you feel ready for labour, birth & the early postnatal days?  *Help with your choices & rights for birth?

*Evidence based information?

*Preparation for feeding your baby, sleep patterns & normal baby behaviours?

Whether you’re welcoming your first or fifth baby into the family, I can offer you a personalised workshop that suits your individual needs.

During a one to one, 2 hour session in the comfort of your home, we will take a deep dive into any of the workshops available, where I will share my knowledge & experience, as well as evidence based resources & signposting.

I live in Shepton Mallet & am ideally situated for families living in Somerset & the surrounding areas.

If you would like to have an informal connection call where I can answer all of your questions drop me a message or follow the link in my bio.

I look forward to hearing from you!  ###

11/09/2024

POSTNATAL DOULA AVAILABILITY

If you are currently pregnant & exploring the idea of supportive, empathetic & inclusive doula support during the early postnatal days, here is my upcoming availability as it stands.

Whether you’re welcoming your first or fifth baby into the family, I can offer you a personalised service that suits your individual needs.

Through one to one in home support I will join you to share knowledge & experience as you navigate the first days & weeks of life with a newborn.

I live in Shepton Mallet & am ideally situated for families living in Somerset & the surrounding areas.

If you would like to have an informal connection call where I can answer all of your questions drop me a message or follow the link in my bio.

I look forward to hearing from you!  ###

25/04/2024

NEWBORN BABY CHECKS

I love this photo of baby receiving their first checks shortly after their birth.

Your baby will receive a number of checks within their first few hours and weeks after birth and the initial checks will normally be carried out by the midwife who has supported you during the birth.

These will include such checks as baby’s heart rate, breathing, muscle tone, reflexes and colour (known as an Apgar assessment) and also their weight, length and head circumference.

Often parents are keen to know this information. They may have even recorded guesses of their baby’s gender and weight before they were born. So it can be good fun to find out the information!

But just by a way of reminder, you have an option to ask if it’s possible to delay these initial checks until you have had that immediate time transitioning with your baby, taking that calm and gentle skin to skin time and establishing that first feed, before their whisked away for the measurements. It’s also totally possible for some of these checks to be done with your baby still in your arms if you would prefer.

My experience is that most health care teams are happy to support your wishes and if there is no cause for concern, a little time won’t hurt. You can just slow it all down.

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Address

Garston Street
Shepton Mallet
BA45NW

Telephone

+447812041116

Website

http://www.malamamama.co.uk/

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