Derbyshire Doula

Derbyshire Doula I offer emotional and practical support before, during and following the birth of your baby.

28/05/2025

When it comes to birth:

Your partner matters too!

🧍‍♂️🦸‍♂️🧍‍♂️🦸‍♂️🧍‍♂️🦸‍♂️🧍‍♂️🦸‍♂️🧍‍♂️🦸‍♂️🧍‍♂️🦸‍♂️🧍‍♂️🦸‍♂️🧍‍♂️🦸‍♂️🧍‍♂️🦸‍♂️🧍‍♂️

Most partners worry that I am here to replace them during the labour and take them away from their experience...

NOPE

Derbyshire Doula aims to listen and work with your partner in crime so that they feel safe and secure during the birth.

During our antenatal I will work with them by teaching all the trade secrets, positions and massage techniques so they feel ready, prepared and excited.

During the labour, I will be on hand to assist, tag team and protect your space when needed.

Whose ready for a baby?!!

Hi!Who doesn't love good shopping vibes! Especially when this fabulous place is right on our doorstep!If you have watche...
15/05/2025

Hi!

Who doesn't love good shopping vibes! Especially when this fabulous place is right on our doorstep!

If you have watched "Schitt's Creek" on netflix you will understand the love of a good apothecary and this one doesn't disappoint!

Selling all those essential oils -great for when you're in labour, to candles and useful creams!

can be found in Castleton! So next time you are needing your sage top up, or lavender candles this is a great place to go!

Home birth supplies in your area!

Derbyshire Maternity and Neonatal Voices A big shout out to the midwives who supported a home birth I recently attended....
15/04/2025

Derbyshire Maternity and Neonatal Voices

A big shout out to the midwives who supported a home birth I recently attended.

The midwives listened and respected my clients space especially with regards to delivery of placenta. They brought a relaxed atmosphere with them which helped continue the oxytocin flow!

Thank you so much!

30/03/2025

Happy mother's Day!

💐🌸💐🌸💐🌸💐🌸💐🌸💐🌸💐🌸💐🌸💐🌸

This year I am doing things slightly differently and wanted to celebrate more than just my own mum.

Meet the amazing Aspasia of Miletu!

So on the surface, I get she kinda looks like a pompous Greek figurine, but I promise you she is so much more...

She is:

🏫The teacher of Socrates.

😘She possessed intelligence, charm, and wit that captivated the minds of Athenian thinkers

🦸‍♀️Trailblazer in the male-dominated world of ancient philosophy

🦹Aspasia’s legacy serves as a reminder of the power of intellect and the importance of challenging traditional gender roles in the pursuit of knowledge and truth.

👩‍🎓Aspasia is believed to have taught rhetoric to young girls in Athens, encouraging them to seek education and participate in intellectual discussions

🤱And yes she was a mum out of wedlock ( not that she cared)!

Unfortunately as the Catholic influence began to take over they were worried about such a prominent female figure being a leader and a teacher so they attempted to destroy all traces of her writings.

But she was famously noted for stating:

"Well behaved women seldom make history"

So let's enjoy this rebel mum who challenged the world that threw her down.

And to all the mums out there...I hope like Aspasia you are feeling good.

Why do I love using photography during your birth?It creates memories. All memories. It's a log. I love sharing the pict...
23/03/2025

Why do I love using photography during your birth?

It creates memories. All memories. It's a log.

I love sharing the pictures afterwards and mums saying...I can't remember this and when did that happen ?!

It's normal for you to go into your bubble so to have these moments captured creates such a magical place.

🤍👶🏼 BIRTH PHOTOGRAPHY 👶🏻🤍

Let’s be honest – when you’re actually having a baby, you’re a bit busy.
And afterwards, the whole thing can feel like a bit of a blur.

That’s exactly why I started offering birth photography. It’s not staged and it’s definitely not intrusive – it’s just a calm, quiet way of documenting one of the biggest moments of your life, so you’ve got a real record of what happened.🧘🏻

After having two home births myself, I was completely inspired to start photographing births for other families. There’s something so powerful about those first few hours – the stillness, the strength, the transformation – and I feel incredibly lucky to be invited into that space.

Over the four years we’ve been working closely with the brilliant Derbyshire Doula
and it’s been an absolute privilege to photograph a number of home births alongside her.

We use long lenses, no flash and super quiet mirrorless cameras – so I can work gently in the background without disturbing the space. It’s all about keeping the environment calm and intimate, while you stay focused on what matters.

Some families keep the images just for themselves. Others choose to share a few with close friends, or even with their children when they’re older. However you decide to use them, they’re yours – real, raw and full of meaning.

If you’d like to know more, just drop me a message – happy to talk it all through.

13/02/2025

🚗DRIVING WHIST IN LABOUR🚗

For some it's one of the biggest reasons for staying at home to have your baby...

For others, facing the drive whilst in labour is daunting.

Let's face it every single bump is like a bowling ball crushing your lady area...😳🥳😅
.And the Peak District has lots of peaks..

Also...the person driving will be hearing your cries of PLEASE SLOW DOWN whilst in reality they are slowly speeding up.

So how can we make this easier?!

Be prepared and plan!

Many make a birth plan but forget the travel bit...

Before setting off please establish if it's SAFE to travel into hospital.

If you feel that baby is about to arrive the
safest move is to call 999 and ask for an ambulance, and wait for advice.

My top traveling items:

🪣Sick bucket- labour can make you feel nauseous and then throw in the car moving.. double trouble. A bucket on stand by will make clean up easier.

🍬Mints and water- also can help with nausea

🎶Headphones- Anything that can distract yourself is a great tool and music can help you stay in the zone.

👀Blindfold - Stay with me ,and no this isn't some kinky labour moment. Transporting to the hospital has been known to stall labour as your adrenaline picks up. After all you have gone from your home environment and now it's cold, bumpy and thoughts of "have I packed everything" start to take over. A blindfold can help keep you feeling safe and trick your mind into thinking it's still dark ect. You can take your blindfold off when you enter into your hospital space smoothing the transition.

💦Puppy pads- With every bump your waters could go. Some seat protection helps in the long term clean up. Remember babies can suddenly decide to arrive which goes onto...

◻️Blankets...you know just in case the above actually happens ( which it definitely can)

🗾Plan your route prior- if you live in the Peaks you know road closures happen every day. Plan your route.

🤱Car seat- you will be amazed how people forget to bring the baby car seat.

Pain relief - you can continue to use your TENs machine or comb

🤱🚗🤱🚗🤱🚗🤱🚗🤱🚗🤱🚗🤱🚗🤱🚗🤱🚗

Ultimately, the choice to go to hospital is always yours to make but hopefully, with a little bit of planning the journey will feel smoother!

🚗🍬🚗🍬🚗🍬🚗🍬🚗🍬🚗🍬🚗🍬🚗🍬🚗

Did you travel to hospital whilst on labour?

Any babies born in a car???

07/02/2025

Hi there!

I know its been such a long time posting!

But I never went away I promise!

In truth life has been rather busy, beautiful and chaotic to sit down and tackle this strange social media world!

However, reality kicked in and shockingly it would appear I've not posted since 2023..

My bad!

But I have a rather good excuse, that can be summed up into...

🤱Around 48 births
🏠32 home birth pool hires
🎥Photography sessions ( I lost count)
🍼Over 70 postnatal jobs
AND
Having to live with the chaos of my own family..

But This is ME!

I am a doula!

What is a doula?

A doula is a non-medical professional who provides physical and emotional support during pregnancy, labor, and after birth.

Why even bother with that crazy nonsense?

😌Better birth outcomes

⚖️Four times less likely to have a low-birth-weight baby

🥼Two times less likely to experience a birth complication

👶Significantly more likely to initiate breastfeeding

👔Knowledge on birth rights

📑 Antenatal support sessions

Something that you could benefit from?

If you are scared or anxious about your upcoming birth please get in contact. Your birth is worth the investment. Your journey should be empowered



Address

High Peak

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