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Meet the Team
Imogen and I (Sara) work as a team, delivering antenatal appointments together and covering each other's on-call period in case the primary Doula on-call cannot make it. We like to operate a turn-about system for clients, alternating who is the main doula on call. However, if you have a strict preference we will always accommodate.
The Essentials Package
This is a wonderful choice if you want a birthkeeper to support your choices and help you plan for your birth. This package will provide you with a level of support and care that will enable you to feel confident to birth, however you choose.
This includes:
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Two free-flowing Antenatal sessions to first figure out how we can best support you, then build on this support in the second session
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An on-call period from 38-42 weeks (or until your baby is born)
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Support via WhatsApp or email within standard working hours (8 am-8 pm) for the duration of your pregnancy
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Support for the duration of your labour and birth, and remaining with you after the birth to ensure you are settled and comfortable with your baby.
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A postnatal session within a week of your birth to check in with you, de-brief the birth, and meet your lovely baby again. We will also bring a meal and can support you with breastfeeding.
The Enhanced Package
This is the ideal choice if you want a birthkeeper to support your choices and help you plan for your birth, but are also interested in educating yourself and your partner (if present) about birth physiology. This package will provide you with an enhanced level of support and care that will enable you to feel confident to birth, however you choose. The added antenatal and postnatal appointments provide an extra level of care, without the full investment of the All-In Support Package.
This includes:
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1 initial free-flowing session to help get us all acquainted
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Antenatal Support:
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Session 1: understanding physiological birth (stages of labour, baby's movements/position during labour, mother's movements, third stage of labour)
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Session 2: facilitating physiological birth; the brain, the body and hormones
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Biomechanical adjustments at each antenatal meet-up
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An on-call period from 38-42 weeks (or until your baby is born)
-
Support via WhatsApp or email within standard working hours (8 am-8 pm) for the duration of your pregnancy
-
Support for the duration of your labour and birth, and remaining with you after the birth to ensure you are settled and comfortable with your baby
-
Postnatal Support:
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A postnatal session within a week of your birth to check in with you, de-brief the birth, and meet your lovely baby again. I will also bring a meal and can support you with breastfeeding.
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A second postnatal session to catch up and support you in any way you feel helpful
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The All-In Package
A personally tailored package of care & support throughout your pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period. We support your right to birth the way you choose and will use my knowledge and skills to help you have a positive, physiological birth experience. We do not undertake anything clinical or medical, but provide holistic physical and emotional support, and advocate for your needs & those of your baby.
This includes:
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Antenatal Support:
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Session 1: understanding physiological birth (stages of labour, baby's movements/position during labour, mother's movements, third stage of labour)
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Session 2: facilitating physiological birth; the brain, the body and hormones
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Session 3: discussion about risks, fears, and management
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Session 4: birth preferences, birth team, birth environment, & birth plan
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Session 5: a backup session for support
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Biomechanical adjustments at each Antenatal meet up
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A Hypnobirthing programme to support your birth hormones and reduce tension
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Any pregnancy yoga or pilates classes we offer
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An on-call period from 38-42 weeks (or until your baby is born)
-
Support via WhatsApp or email within standard working hours (8 am-8 pm) for the duration of your pregnancy
-
5 weeks Birth Pool rental
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Support for the duration of your labour and birth, and remaining with you after the birth to ensure you are settled and comfortable with your baby
-
Postnatal Support:
-
A postnatal session within a week of your birth to check in with you, de-brief the birth, and meet your lovely baby again. I will also bring a meal and can support you with breastfeeding.
-
A second postnatal session to catch up and support you in any way you feel helpful
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A final postnatal session around 6 weeks after your birth to check how you feel you are coping
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More About Doulas
You can think of a doula as a trained birth partner, usually with a number of special skills that promote a positive birth and aid the primary birth partner in better showing up for the birthing woman.
Top-class research (Cochrane Library 2017) has shown that the support of a doula in the birth space can have substantial positive effects on the outcomes for both mum and baby when carried out alongside regular medical care.
For even more information, check out: https://doula.org.uk/what-doulas-do/