Jessie
Like many, I didn't know what a doula was until after the birth of my son Joseph in 2005. Despite enjoying a positive birthing experience with him, many of the decisions I made were based on the very limited information that I was presented with at the time.

As with the majority of women birthing in the NHS nowadays, there was a real lack of continuity in my care, in fact I never saw the same person twice. After his birth it didn't get much better, I slipped through the net and my care was never handed over.

There was a definite sense of something or someone being missing and I felt a primitive responsibility to help fill that void for other women and their families. After initially looking into midwifery I stumbled across the word 'doula' and I knew this was the path for me.

I hope to have many more children at some point and am currently awaiting the day when my lovely other half will realise that there is never a 'perfect' time to plan these things.


Jessie works as a birth doula & runs private birth preparation sessions. For full details take a look at her website: www.LondonBirthing.com

She is a "Womb Wise Woman" on the Nurturing Birth forum and will soon begin training doulas via the Nurturing Birth programme.

She is Doula UK's Regional Representative for West, North-West & North London, a proud member of AIMS (association for improvements in the maternity services) and belongs to many of london's MSLCs (maternity service liason commitees).


Sarah

I was 14 years old when I witnessed my first birth. My Mum laboured beautifully, enjoying the company of friends and family, from time to time taking herself off to pace the garden in peace & eventually giving birth on all fours in our living room to my baby brother.

I'm now a mother myself to three boys, each of who's births were very different from the others. With my first son Taro I had a very positive experience in a lovely birth centre but it was after the birth of my 2nd son Lucas that I decided to become a doula.

With Lucas' birth I had been fortunate enough to receive one-to-one midwifery care throughout my pregnancy, labour and birth and it opened my eyes to how much this continuity can really make a difference. I felt safe and secure knowing I was in the presence of women I knew, trusted and was comfortable to be around. Knowing so few women experienced this in the NHS I was inspired to offer the service myself.

With the birth of my 3rd son Milo I chose to have a doula (Jessie). After planning for a homebirth I ended up transferring into hospital during labour. Being in a less than ideal position his was the most intense of all my labours but no less special. I had a great team supporting me and with their love and patience I was able to birth him gently without any assistance- all 10lbs 5ozs of him. If I decide to have any more children in the future I know their births will be just as unique.


Sarah is currently on maternity leave but will be back in 2012 working as a birth doula and running BabyCalm sessions.