Doula Bea

Birth and Postnatal Doula

31/12/2023

2023 - What a year

I enjoy my job Every. Single. Day

I am beyond grateful to those that choose to share their birth or early postnatal time with me

I am in awe and value so much my fellow doula community and everyone that works in the perinatal sector - I couldn’t do this without you

I am amazed, daily, but the strength and ability of the female body and mind - to grow, birth and feed humans is superpowers

20/08/2023

POSITIVE HOME BIRTH STORY - One of my recent clients has kindly given me permission to share her incredible birth story - a perfect physiological second time homebirth after a covid restricted hospital first birth. I am so grateful to you, both for involving me in your journey, and for permission to share - I hope it inspires and empowers. Names have been changed for anonymity. Link to blogpost in my bio.

“…My Tens machine came off and I got into the pool. As soon as I got in, my body started involuntarily pushing through each surge. Down breathing went out of the window and I just focused on breathing slow and controlled and letting my body do what it needed to do, as it seemed to be doing it without conscious effort from me….

At around 6.50am my body completely took over. It was almost as if I'd fainted and was watching myself from afar in slow motion. My body completely changed position (without any input from me) from a squat to almost standing holding the edge of the pool and made a noise which I can only describe as 'primal!' for a good 30 seconds. The head was born and I came back from the bizarre but amazing euphoric out of body experience, reached down and felt the shoulders wiggle out one by one, then pulled my baby up on to my chest. We realised that we had a boy and I held him in complete disbelief as to what had just happened. He was born at 6.57am. The midwife said 'Now that is how you give birth’…

I stepped out of the pool and we went to the living room, nestled on the sofa, all three a bit bewildered by what had just happened. He had his first feed, we had tea and crumpets…

Recovery and feeding are going really well and we're still riding on a high of what an incredible experience that was.”

18/08/2023

TESTIMONIALS - “After a challenging first birth during Covid I was feeling really apprehensive about giving birth again and was determined to make this birth different.

I booked some birth preparation sessions with Bea, she was friendly, really knowledgeable, practical and made me feel really at ease. I felt like no question was a stupid question. We went through all the practicalities of a home birth, we discussed things I hadn't even thought about. We went through all my fears one by one and and Bea was really knowledgeable, going through the current evidence and then directing me to further resources so I could research further.

After our sessions, my views on birth completely changed. I felt empowered to make informed choices and was excited about giving birth, knowing that however things played out, this birth would be different and I would feel more in control.

I had the most magical physiological home birth! My son was born calmly and safely into the water in my kitchen, supported by amazing community midwives and the words and knowledge of Bea going through my head! I am still riding the high of what an incredible experience it was, and feel superhuman! It has massively impacted the first weeks and I am loving every minute of the fourth trimester.
There is no way that I would have had the confidence to have a birth like this without the support of Bea. Thank you so much for giving me the tools to trust my body to do what it is designed to do. I will take this experience with me for the rest of my life and am so grateful for the opportunity to have such a positive, transformative birth. Thank you Bea!”

08/08/2023

WORLD BREASTFEEDING WEEK - a bit late, been busy doulaing!

The UK has one of the lowest breastfeeding rates in the world. Research shows that 81% of mothers initiate breastfeeding at birth, but many stop in the first few weeks with only 17% still exclusively breastfeeding at 3 months, and 1% at 6 months. 63% of women who stop breastfeeding report that they would have liked to have breastfed for longer and many (17%) state a lack of support from hospital staff, midwives and family as their reasons for stopping.

Breastfeeding is beautiful, healthy (for mum and baby), natural and practical, it reduces your chance of postnatal mental illness, promotes bonding, decreases illness, risk of SIDS, fewer allergies and ear infections.

It’s also physically and emotionally difficult, it’s not the only way and it’s not for everyone which is why my favourite phrase when it comes to infant feeding is “breast is not best, fed is not best, informed and supported is best”

You are more likely to establish and continue breastfeeding if you hire a doula - so get in touch if you’d like to chat about how I could support you.

Thank you to my wonderful client for letting me use this gorgeous image of her feeding her twins (still exclusively breastfed 3+ months in! 🙌🏻)

Address

Beulah Road
Tunbridge Wells
TN1

Website

http://Www.doulabea.co.uk/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Doula Bea posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Want your practice to be the top-listed Clinic in Tunbridge Wells?