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 two boys. I came up against some resistance when trying to book a home birth for my first son Taro in 2002 so a compromise was made and he was born in a lovely small Birthing Centre in Sussex. Two years later I had the birth of my dreams when my second son Lucas was born at home in a birthing pool with the wonderful support of loving midwives.

I was 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 during his birth in the presence of people I felt I knew and was comfortable to be around. It was this which inspired me to help other women during their births to have similar wonderful experiences.

As your doula I will try to provide you with continuous emotional, physical and informational support. Throughout labour I'll do whatever I can to help you to relax by using massage, visualisation and position changes. I'll also make sure the environment remains one in which you can feel secure and confident. You may also wish to have the use of my many resources including books, homeopathic remedies, aromatherapy oils and tens machine.