Every Woman & Birthing Person Needs a Doula - Now More Than Ever - and I can help you have an Amazing Birth  - wherever and however you birth your baby

Call or message me now  07806 994636 / rosie@hypnobirthingworks.co.uk   to see how I can support you in pregnancy, birth and beyond (even if you've been told you're high risk, or might need an induction or csection 🙂  Rosie xx

Anna:  I chose Rosie because of her experience, as well as her warmth, easygoing personality and expertise in hypnobirthing. She was amazing throughout. During the antenatal period, I had a lot of anxiety around what was to come during labour - Rosie helped me enormously.   In birth, Rosie was an oasis of calm. She advocated for me and my wishes based on my birth plan and what we had discussed. She listened to me and spoke up for me while I was focused on breathing and giving birth. She was incredibly supportive and made me feel in control.

Sophie said:  "Thank you so much for all your support today Rosie (and all the other days) - it was perfect.  I told P yesterday I feel euphoric and am still very much on a high! "  Sophie had an amazing VBAC in a birthing pool - vaginal birth after a traumatic c-Section. We negotiated a home birth or birth centre birth.

Laura:  You felt like my mum supporting me throughout today. We are so grateful to have you.

Katie:  I had an incredibly positive birth experience - very positive memories - and our doula Rosie was a big part of that. Rosie was wonderful in every way. I can't think of anything she could have done better.   Her personality is pure warmth and positivity. She is honest about labour and birth and extremely knowledgeable.

Call or message me now  07806 994636 / rosie@hypnobirthingworks.co.uk

For 20+ years, I've been passionate about supporting women and their partners through pregnancy, a positive birth, and gentler, happier parenting, including very many high profile clients and friends and family of Prince William and Princess Catherine. 

My client Katie who gave birth at St Thomas's, has just called me a "superstar birth doula"  - that's so lovely!!

  • If you plan a home birth, I'll be delighted to support you... evidence based
  • In a pool in a birth centre ..  Gestational diabetes, higher bmi, group b strep - you can birth in a pool in a birth centre (even if you've been told otherwise).
  • If you have a medical condition or special circumstances which may require more monitoring, I'll help you navigate your way to the best possible birth.
  • If you want support for a gentle c section or the best possible induction, a VBAC in pool, or a normal TWINs birth,
  • I can help you find the team to support you
  • eg Normal breech birth in a birth centre (that was me!) :  did you know that Emma Spillane at Kingston specialise and St Thomas's have a 'Breech Squad' !

I also have a wonderful support network to share with you: physios, osteos, lactation consultants, baby sleep support ...

Call or message me now  07806 994636   / rosie@hypnobirthingworks.co.uk

Birth Doula Package 

As a birth doula, I offer 3 meetings before your baby is born and one with baby, plus unlimited contact by phone/messaging.  I'm on call from 38 weeks until your baby is born and support you physically from the point you feel you want me with you at home in labour, until you see your baby and for a few hours after, to support initial latching/feeding. Hypnobirthing underpins all my support, and is entirely tailored to your needs and birth plans.

1.  All my support is underpinned by Active Birth /Hypnobirthing  -  Our 3 meetings (approx 2 hours each) can provide a 'programme' tailored to your needs from the list below, and I will always support you before or after ante natal appointments, to boost confidence, questions to ask, and empower you for conversations around the 'offer' of induction of labour. 

Can include:

  • Birth physiology -  your body and baby already know how to do this !
  • How to support your body and baby to birth smoothly
  • Effective breathing techniques - breathing your baby down
  • How to reduce pain and tearing
  • How to keep birth safe
  • Deep relaxation (guided visualisations/meditations) for a positive birth
  • Create confident, positive, informed birth plans - covering all your options
  • Practical techniques for your husband/partner
  • How to get the birth you plan - advocacy and assertiveness within a controlling maternity system 
  • How to enjoy it !
  • I hear "it was amazing" all the time!

Includes:  Minimum 4 hypnobirthing relaxation/confidence building audio tracks, Hypnobirthing resource pack, birth plan templates, email/phone support from start of the course and signposting to other resources (eg osteopath)

Following the 3 pregnancy meetings:

2.  On Call: I'll be on call for you 24/7 from 38wks until you see your baby, and initial postnatal support.   You can call or message me at any time, to ensure you're feeling confident and ready to birth your baby 🙂

Extra Session (+fee) - optional - Week 38-39 : 2 hr CalmBaby How to make early days of parenting easier for you & your baby!

3. Pre Labour and Birth   
We will be in contact from the first signs of pre labour, and we will discuss when I'll join you at your home.  I will  support you throughout, and travel with you to the maternity unit (if you're not planning to birth at home), and I will remain with you throughout: in reception, in triage/assessment and in your birthing room.
You and your partner can ask me questions, share how you're feeling.  I'll support you,  practically and emotionally through your birth.   A reassuring, calm presence in the room.  And advocate for you, adapting to the flow of your birth.

I will communicate  and work as a part of the team with your midwife or obstetrician,  to ensure that you're feeling safe, that you are belng listened to, and your birth plans are respected even if adaptations are necessary.   I will stay with you until a couple of hours after you have birthed your beautiful baby, to ensure you are comfortable, and feeding is supported.

4.  Post Natal at Home 
1 postnatal visit ideally within a few days of your baby's birth, to support feeding & '4th trimester' - and a birth debrief (1.5 hours typically)

Throughout Pregnancy/Post Natal - You can call or email me at any time for advice, reassurance, tips, signposting to other expert support

 

Testimonial  Katie :  "Thank you SO much.  It was wonderful for me that you met Jess (midwife) and also to spend some more time together.  I actually feel really excited about giving birth now and a huge part was down to our chat!  So thank you"  ...     Postnatally:  "D and I are very much still pinching ourselves.  We loved having you with us.  I will be forever grateful... " 

Hypnobirthing Sessions - underpin all my support
As a Hypnotherapist and Hypnobirthing specialist (since 2004)  - I can support you with highly effective breathing, relaxation/visualisations, hypnobirthing audio, confidence boosting techniques - which with practise, will enable you to mentally let go, trust your body & baby, and have a positive birth in any circumstances.  Your partner will also be supported in their role.  Start your practice early for the gentlest birth. (I trained with Marie Mongan 2003/4 cohort and have personally taught over 5000 couples).

Sophie : planning a normal birth, but due to medical condition, having a 'gentle' CSection at C&W:
"Dear Rosie - Thank you so much, you really do make a massive difference to the whole experience. We had such a laugh again all the way through, and felt so relaxed.  It was brilliant - and she latched straight onto the breast as we were coming out of surgery, which everyone was very impressed with.   Thank you again, and we will see you again for sure for baby number 3!

Clinical Hypnotherapy
I can help alleviate the symptoms of stress, phobias, anxiety, depression and PTSD (using the highly effective Rewind Technique), and boost confidence in all areas of life 🙂

 

Post Natal Support 

It's such a privilege to be by a mother's side during this life changing time.  People often say as doulas we are "mothering the mother".  My care and support extends to protecting the space of your new family, attending to mother and baby's needs, including helping you get more rest, making light meals, snacks and treats, practical baby care (nappies/baby laundry), encouraging you and allowing confidence to grow in your abilities - laughing, crying and helping you sit with your feelings. And give you a big hug if that's what you need.

Some days will feel hard.  It's OK to feel overwhelmed. It will get better.  And I can help you ease through.

Evidence based gentle parenting tips and techniques for calmer happier babies -  more relaxed babies tend to feed well and sleep more easily.  Benefits of ongoing skin to skin, swaddling etc

Infant feeding support - how to help baby feed more easily and support with latching/breastfeeding

Support going out on early trips - benefits of slings, babywearing

And signposting to useful resources, information and support groups, listening to any questions or concerns you may have, debriefing your birth experience, supporting other members of the family, shopping/running errands, School/nursery runs, Playing games and having fun, Caring for pets.

I'm here for you x

 

My qualifications and experience

I've supported many mothers/couples in birth at home throughout London/SE, both NHS and Private birth places, including: Lindo Wing, Portland, Kensington Wing, Chelsea & Westminster, West Mid, Queen Charlotte's, St Mary's, St George's, Kingston, St Thomas's, King's, Homerton, Royal London, North Mid. ++ and have good relationships with staff at NHS and Private Maternity Units throughout London.

Hypnobirthing expertise - Trained with Marie Mongan 2003/4 cohort and taught over 4500 couples).  Hypnobirthing courses/sessions are additional to the doula fee.  Hypnobirthing throughout London.
Active Birth Midwifery Training - I co-designed and trained midwives how to teach  Active Birth Workshops at St George's.
Clinical Hypnotherapist  - I can help alleviate the symptoms of stress, phobias, anxiety, depression and PTSD (using the highly effective Rewind Technique)  DHypPsych(UK) 2003
I delivered NCT Post Natal Exercise & Discussion Courses in 1990s (Wimbledon & Wandsworth)
Having supported clients for many years, I finally took a Developing Doula course 2018 - and joined Maddie McMahon and Zara de Candole's group of doulas.

I contributed to The Positive Birth Book by Milli Hill
I'm affiliated with Doula UK. I abide by their rules and code of conduct.

I am also privileged to work with two charities and support vulnerable clients (refugees, victims of domestic violence or modern day slavery) who would otherwise be birthing alone.

I'm involved in NHS strategic/research groups to ensure that the voice of parents is heard and up to date with latest research including: 

  • Midwifery Unit Standards Network - Advisory Team - with Dr Lucia Rocca
  • NICE Birthplace Action Team - Advisory group-  City Uni Centre Maternal Health Research
  • Steering Group NIHR research study - Induction of Labour methods - with Dr Amar Bhide
  • Chelsea & Westminster Induction of Labour Forum - Improving info and experience for parents
  • Chair St George's Maternity Voices Partnership - improving services at St George's
  • Board SWLondon Local Maternity System ('Transformation' Board) - improving services at 5 London hospitals
  • Birthrights Training (St George's) www.birthrights.org
  • I was thrilled to have been shortlisted for St George's Achievement Award 2018 (250 nominations) for my 'unerring support of parents and midwives' 🙂
  • Co-applicant on NIHR feasibility/research study into methods of induction (St George's)

I regularly attend CPD study days to ensure my ongoing learning and development .  Most recently:  Allyship with Mars Lord and LGBTQ Competency with AJ Silver of Queer Birth Club.

I'll be delighted to support you through this amazing, life changing experience, so please get in touch and we can have a chat.  

Rosie  x 

07806 994636 

rosie@hypnobirthingworks.co.uk

You can read some of my Pregnancy/Hypnobirthing Articles in Get the Gloss, SheerLuxe, Hip & Healthy:
https://www.getthegloss.com/article/the-most-common-fears-about-childbirth-and-how-to-conquer-them,  
https://sheerluxe.com/2018/05/02/everything-you-need-know-about-hypnobirthinghttp://hipandhealthy.com/royal-baby-fever-how-to-hypnobirth-like-kate/,