The Valley Doula

15/07/2024

Some testimonials from clients💚🪷💚

12/05/2024

New info leaflets coming soon!

26/04/2024

29/01/2024

WHAT IS A ‘DOULA’?

‘Doula’ is a Greek word which literally means “female slave for the child-bearing woman.”

Nowadays the word has come to mean “One who mothers the mother.”

Doula’s are non-medical / non-clinical birth workers. Our job is purely supportive. We are not advisors and do not stand in judgment of our clients choices. Our job is to hold space, listen, validate and sign post.

29/01/2024

Hi - I’m Kate!

I offer a range of services which I hope you will find beneficial for either some or all of your pregnancy, birth and postnatal journey.

My doula journey began nearly two decades ago when I became passionate about pregnancy, birth and beyond. In between having my own children, I had always tried to support friends, neighbours and vulnerable women.

In 2012 after considering becoming a doula, I decided instead to become a midwife. After a great deal of time, commitment and effort, I qualified in 2016. At the same time I was also in the later stages of my fourth pregnancy and after going on maternity leave for 6 months I returned to hospital to start work as a newly qualified midwife.

However, I realised very quickly that midwifery was not my calling. I have found that the care I can give and the value I bring is not in the clinical or medical aspects of midwifery, but rather in the ‘dedicated helper’ role of a doula. In my personal experience, being a doula means that I can really be ‘with woman’ in a way that I was never truly able to achieve as a midwife.

And aside from my own love and respect for my role as a doula, the statistics speak for themselves - having doula support greatly improves outcomes in terms of risks of intervention, reduction in the need for pain relief, length of labour, length of hospital stay and increased length and rates of breastfeeding - to name just a few!

So, if you are looking for extra support, or if you would just like to find out a little more about how I can support you on your journey, please do get in touch.