I am a proud mum, to my 3 children (Born 1999, 2004 and 2005) and married to Ian. I have lived in North Herts almost all my life. My hobbies include cooking, learning and having fun with my family.
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Member of Doula UK: 2007 - Present Co-Vice Chair of Doula UK: Feb 2008 - Sept 2009 |
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Trained with Nurturing Birth 2007 | |
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Member of Herts Doulas |
Member of North Herts Doulas |
I will help you fill the gaps in your knowledge, help you to prepare physically and emotionally for the birth and equip you and your family with practical skills so that you can make a confident and easy transition into parenthood. Being a doula is a passion, a commitment not just from me but also from my family - and they are as passionate as me about new families needs for support.
Sue enables you to achieve this with a combination of ongoing emotional support, evidence-based antenatal information and a reliable and capable maternal woman, who has personal experience of the pregnancy, birth and baby-care processes - all things you might have gained in the past from family and friends - but without biased opinion and misleading myths.
If you already have children may find the need for extra assistance looking after them or help around the home, especially at the end of the pregnancy and in the early days afterwards,
If you are experiencing SPD or other pregnancy difficulties it can again be a challenging time keeping up with what you need to do and looking after yourself, as well as the extra worry your circumstances may bring
Why did you become a doula?
When I had my first child I felt totally in awe of the medical profession, and had a C-section under General as they said it would be best. As I learned more I realised that there are always options and with the right support women can have the birth they want - after all isn't that what women were designed to do? I also have a lot of experience working with pregnant and new mums who have disabilities I feel that with this work the natual flow of the work led me towards being a doula.
What makes you qualified to be a doula?
There is no such thing as a qualified doula. As well as my passion for birth and families, I have the following experiences:
I have 3 children, born in 1999, 2004 and 2005.
I attended a training course, facilitated by Bushra Finch from Nurturing Birth in July 2007.
I have 12 years experience working with disabled parents to find suitable parenting strategies.
I have 18 years of working with disabled adults and children
I have written internationally published articles about parenting strategies.
I have experience of Lister, Luton and Dunstable, and Bedford Hospitals as a doula. I have been honoured to be present at a variety of birth situations.
Courses/Seminars and Workshops attended
| Nurturing Birth | Birth and Postnatal Doula | July 2007 |
| NCFE | Level 2 Equality and Diversity | February 2008 |
| CEMACH | Diabetes in Pregnancy | July 2008 |
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Michel Odent and Liliana Lammers |
Birth Physiology and the Doula's Role | March 2009 |
| Sarah Ockwell-Smith | Hypnobirthing Study Afternoon for Health Professionals | March 2009 |
| British Associaion of Sexual Educators |
Sex In Pregnancy - The Silent Subject Silent Witness Seminar |
November 2009 |
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Diane Garland |
Waterbirth Study Day | January 2010 |
| Hertfordshire Holistic Health Centre |
EFT for Birth Professionals Including: EFT Level 1 & 2 |
March 2010 |
| BabyCalm (tm) |
BabyCalm Practitioner Training |
March 2011 |
| ToddlerCalm (tm) | ToddlerCalm Practitioner Training | March 2012 |
Are you insured?
I am insured, for birth and postnatal doula work and also for working with disabled parents. A copy of my insurance certificate will be available for you to look at during our inital meeting.
Do you draw up a written contract?
Yes, which you will have your own copy to keep.
What do you see as your role as a doula?
I see my role is that of a supporting birth companion, supporting with consideration and kindness, the mother (and the rest of the family) and in assisting her to be empowered to have the birth she wants. It is also to give the mother the control of each decision that she makes regarding her labour and delivery.
What about pain relief?
I cannot tell you what you can or can't do, what you do or do not need. Pain relief is your personal choice, but I will support whatever decision you make. Pain relief is always discussed during antenatal visits.
How do you feel about breastfeeding?
Again it's personal choice for you, the mother. I will support your decision and provide as much information as you need to enable you to make your decision.
What if I feel that I need more antenatal visits than 2?
Thats something we can discuss, I am happy to make extra appointments but there would be charge for them.
I don't think I can afford a doula?
Although I do have standard rates, I am open to negotiation, I know how expensive having a baby can be. I will consider your circumstances if you ask me.
As a Doula UK doula, I am able to take on local clients who qualify for the Doula UK access fund. Doula UK also have gift certificates - perhaps relatives/friends would like to 'club together' for the perfect baby present.
I also have my own gift vouchers available in amounts from £5 please ask me for more details.
I also offer a 'Pay as you grow service' ask for more details.
Why did you decide to train and become a Doula UK doula?
When I decided to decome a doula, I looked at all available avenues and decided, that to be an effective doula I needed access to a great support network (mothering the mother takes a lot of emotional energy and having ongoing support and information so that I could do my best was important to me), and specialised knowledge - although I have children of my own, every birth is different and every woman is different. I felt that I needed a more solid base of ideas. Nurturing Birth best suited me and that is why I did my training with them.
I became a Doula UK doula as I firmly believe in the ethos of Doula UK. The access to support and to become a part of an orgainised and non-profit orientated doula support network was very appealing. I believe that being a doula is a privilage and by recognising that becoming a doula is a journey of experience I felt that by becoming a trainee with Doula UK and having a mentor to assist and support my journey (even after I become recognised) was a fundamental part of being a doula.
You do so many things - how does being a doula fit in? How do you give your doula clients the attention that they need?
That is a valid and great question to ask. I only take on one birth client at a time and do not overlap on-call times, I also limit the number of other doula clients. Little Signers Club classes, I work with Danielle so that I know that I can leave for a birth or deal with a doula emergency without disrupting classes.
For my other classes or sessions: if I am on call I always give classes an extra alternate date so that if I am called away we have already scheduled another session - this is to ensure minimum disruption to all my clients. Private sessions are always booked with the understanding that births take priority, I always leave extra spaces in my diary so that I can reschedule any missed appointments as quickly as possible
My support team are amazing and we are all aware of the needs of my clients and all know our strengths in supporting them.