Mother
The Mother archetype is one of fertility, growth, abundance, nurturing and creation. Whether we mother physical children or not, all women in this phase of their life (and their menstrual cycle) have the opportunity to tap into these qualities to give birth to their ideas and to nurture themselves as well as other beings. The Summer archetype is one of fertility, whether that is conceiving a baby or giving birth to new ideas, projects, and ultimately, the act of giving birth to ourselves.
One of the aspects of this time is of course physical motherhood. I have been supporting mothers since 2002 with birth support, or doula, services in Frome, Somerset and the surrounding areas. My BirthDance website has more in depth information about my service.
One of the aspects of this time is of course physical motherhood. I have been supporting mothers since 2002 with birth support, or doula, services in Frome, Somerset and the surrounding areas. My BirthDance website has more in depth information about my service.
I am passionate about supporting women in their choices around birth, and this has led me to offering my skills for birth support or doula service, and childbirth mentoring. I am the mother of two children who were born at home, and I have been supporting women and babies in this way since 2002.
A doula is a non-medical birth professional who offers emotional and practical support during pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period.
After an initial meeting, as your doula I am available to support you throughout your pregnancy, whether that's by telephone, email or in person, and I will be on call for four weeks around your estimated due date. I am not a midwife, so I am not able to offer medical assistance or advice, but I have access to information that is freely given to enable you to make your own informed decisions about your pregnancy and birth.
I offer a highly individualised service including bespoke antenatal support, Shiatsu, birth preparation for couples using Active Birth and Birthing from Within techniques, and birth support or doula service. I am also available postnatally to support you and help with getting breastfeeding off to a good start. I have supported birthing women both at home and in hospital.
I have trained with many leading birth professionals, including Michel Odent, Janet Balaskas, Pam England, Mary Cronk, Joy Horner, Suzanne Yates, Diane Garland, Gail Tully, Jane Hardwicke Collings, Penny Simkin and Sheila Kitzinger. I continue to study and explore all aspects of pregnancy, birth and early parenting, and I have a large collection of books and DVD's about pregnancy and birth that my clients are welcome to borrow.
I also offer a listening or debriefing service for women who are survivors of abuse and sexual violence, or have had traumatic birth experience, as well as birth planning sessions to help people identify their potential triggers or stumbling blocks so they can find a workable birth plan. This is a reflective listening service rather than counselling or psychotherapy; if people need more support than I can provide, then there are other local therapists that I can refer to. This service is for donations only.
I believe that developing the relationship between a mother and her doula is essential to build trust and confidence, so I like to meet regularly with my clients for a chat and a cuppa. The earlier you book me, the more you'll see me!
As your doula my basic service consists of (but is not limited to):
I can show you powerful tools to assist you on your birthing journey, drawing on themes from Active Birth, Shiatsu bodywork, and techniques from Birthing from Within such as using myth and art to explore your feelings and ideas around birth. These will help you as a couple find mutual support by exploring attitudes and beliefs about birth and learning practical tools to empower you on your journey.
These include:
Birthing partners that I have worked with have commented on the usefulness and security of receiving a set of tools they could use to help support the mother, and to be able to be more involved in the birthing process.
A doula is a non-medical birth professional who offers emotional and practical support during pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period.
After an initial meeting, as your doula I am available to support you throughout your pregnancy, whether that's by telephone, email or in person, and I will be on call for four weeks around your estimated due date. I am not a midwife, so I am not able to offer medical assistance or advice, but I have access to information that is freely given to enable you to make your own informed decisions about your pregnancy and birth.
I offer a highly individualised service including bespoke antenatal support, Shiatsu, birth preparation for couples using Active Birth and Birthing from Within techniques, and birth support or doula service. I am also available postnatally to support you and help with getting breastfeeding off to a good start. I have supported birthing women both at home and in hospital.
I have trained with many leading birth professionals, including Michel Odent, Janet Balaskas, Pam England, Mary Cronk, Joy Horner, Suzanne Yates, Diane Garland, Gail Tully, Jane Hardwicke Collings, Penny Simkin and Sheila Kitzinger. I continue to study and explore all aspects of pregnancy, birth and early parenting, and I have a large collection of books and DVD's about pregnancy and birth that my clients are welcome to borrow.
I also offer a listening or debriefing service for women who are survivors of abuse and sexual violence, or have had traumatic birth experience, as well as birth planning sessions to help people identify their potential triggers or stumbling blocks so they can find a workable birth plan. This is a reflective listening service rather than counselling or psychotherapy; if people need more support than I can provide, then there are other local therapists that I can refer to. This service is for donations only.
I believe that developing the relationship between a mother and her doula is essential to build trust and confidence, so I like to meet regularly with my clients for a chat and a cuppa. The earlier you book me, the more you'll see me!
As your doula my basic service consists of (but is not limited to):
- Two stuctured and bespoke antenatal sessions, focused on your individual needs.
- Being on call for four weeks around the time of your estimated due date. This means that you can contact me whenever you need, and I will be with you throughout your birth to support you and your partner.
- Informal get-togethers - if you feel that you would like us to get to know each other better, I'm happy to meet up for a cuppa and a chat! I feel it is important for us to meet up at least once a month. This gives us the chance to get to know each other better before you give birth, and will enable me to support you more fully. I'm also available to talk over Skype.
- Birth pool hire.
- One long postnatal session - this is a chance to discuss your birth experience. I can also offer Shiatsu or other practical support, even if that's looking after your baby while you have a bath or a nap. I'm also available to offer additional postnatal support if needed.
I can show you powerful tools to assist you on your birthing journey, drawing on themes from Active Birth, Shiatsu bodywork, and techniques from Birthing from Within such as using myth and art to explore your feelings and ideas around birth. These will help you as a couple find mutual support by exploring attitudes and beliefs about birth and learning practical tools to empower you on your journey.
These include:
- Shiatsu bodywork
- Belly dance tuition
- Exploring your feelings around birth through using art
- Active Birth preparation sessions for couples
- Debriefing from previous birth experiences
- Access to my library of pregnancy and birth related books, CDs and DVDs
- Shiatsu and acupressure techniques for pain relief for partners
- Homebirth
- Waterbirth
- Birth positions
- Breathing and visualisation techniques
- Information on vaginal birth after a previous caesarean (VBAC)
- Twin pregnancy and birth
- How to have a positive caesarian birth
- Mother Blessing ceremony
- Postnatal Closing the Bones massage and ceremony
Birthing partners that I have worked with have commented on the usefulness and security of receiving a set of tools they could use to help support the mother, and to be able to be more involved in the birthing process.
The fee for the standard service I offer is £1,499 which reflects my years of experience as a therapist and birthworker. Paying by installments is always possible if that makes life easier for you. Please visit my BirthDance website with more information on my other doula services and birth packages (including shiatsu and Birthing From Within mentoring).
Please feel free to contact me with your questions and to discuss your needs.
Please feel free to contact me with your questions and to discuss your needs.