Doula Service

Just as a woman's heart knows how and when to pump, her lungs to inhale, and her hand to pull back from fire, so she knows when and how to give birth.  

Virginia Di Orio

Clare now offers a Doula Service to parts or Shropshire, Staffordshire and West Midlands including areas of Wolverhampton, Cannock, Stafford, Telford, Newport, Stone, Eccleshall, Penkridge, Gnosall, Shifnal, and Stoke on Trent. If your area isn't listed here please contact Clare!

Clare has completed her Doula training with Nurturing Birth at the start of July and is offering her services to 'mums to be' to assist them to have an enjoyable positive birth experience as well as offering ongoing support  for new mum's following their birth. 

About Clare

I have been married for nearly 4 years now and have two beautiful children, Callum 3 years and Skye 18months.I have breastfed both my of my children until the age of 7 months. I am a childbirth educator offering HypnoBirthing Classes. I have a passion for natural childbirth and  I believe that pregnancy and childbirth is a normal natural and healthy everyday occurrence  for the majority of women the world over. 

My pregnancies were both reasonably straight forward luckily. My births were quiet different though, mainly in my attitude  towards the birth! With Callum I ignored the birth and hoped I would cope with it when the time came- I didn't, I panicked. I was wrongly told by midwives and following a scan that I was carrying a large (possibly 10lb) baby. I was induced immediately and told they would trial labour - how was anyone supposed to stay calm after that! I did have a slow painful birth  with Pethedine and gas and air. I also had special circumstances following Callum's birth. Had I had a constant support in addition to my husband who new what to expect from birth and could make suggestions to make me more comfortable and offer gentle encouragement to my husband and myself, my birth may have played out slightly differently or at least offered me a birth with choices.

My second birth was different, I knew more about the birth and had learnt how to relax deeply (not something I was use to at all!). I birthed much easier, quicker and more importantly without drugs! I felt amazing, empowered and much more in control.

I trained as a HypnoBirthing Practitioner where my knowledge of birth was increased incredibly and I have since been helping couples prepare for their births.

Although I firmly believe childbirth is a natural event, I will  fully support your choices for your birth whole heartedly. I am with you to protect your wishes - whatever they are. 

Clare's reasons for becoming a Doula

I am positive that the majority of pain and special circumstances that I experienced  with Callum's birth were due to me panicking because of lack of knowledge of the birthing process and the lack of control I felt. My husband was great however he knew even less than me about the whole process and so was understandably very concerned and anxious himself. I was unaware that I had options throughout the birth and would in hindsight of made different choices with the knowledge I have now. Had I had a Doula present with us during his birth I am confident I would have had a much easier birth and a much more enjoyable experience as a whole, despite of the special circumstances I experienced straight after his birth.

I am not lucky enough to have much family nearby, and although they all took some time off work just after my second child's birth to come and help me out for a few days within a short time there was just myself and my husband and 2 young children under the age of 2!  I was lucky enough to have a friend that truly supported me and my family following the birth of my daughter. She was like my mum, and best friend rolled into one, doing things for me, mums would normally do!

She would help look after my 18month old son, whilst I cared for my daughter, entertain both children whist I had a shower - This was so wonderful to have 10 minutes 'me time' . Cook us tea occasionally. She would daily pop round for a coffee and a chat but she would be washing up, sorting out my laundry and pairing up my socks! I cannot thank her enough for her daily chats and support. 

Prior to Dawns help I would never have considered employing a Doula let alone becoming a Doula myself, but it was amazingly reassuring to know I could sit and breastfeed my daughter without getting stressed that I should be washing up, vacuuming, getting my son a drink etc. 

When I was setting up my websites and reading more about Doula's I realized that Dawn had been my Doula. 

I hope to be able to do the same for you.

I have suffered with Post Natal Depression following the birth of  both of my children. This is not something I am embarrassed about in fact the opposite. It has mad me more passionate about supporting women and their  partners through this exciting time of their lives following the birth of their baby. I firmly believe that support emotionally as well as physically is vital. In some ways I found emotional support to be more helpful than the practical help people wanted to give. Practical help made friends and family FEEL as if they were doing something. That may not always be what is needed in a house with a new baby! (nice as it is!)

What services can Clare offer

You will have a free meeting with Clare at Clare's home in Gnosall to discuss your requirements and to make sure you all get on well and feel you can work together! Clare can occasionally arrange to hold this initial meeting in your home( this would incur mileage charges)

Birth Doula

2 Antenatal visits - to discuss the birth, help you prepare a birth preference sheet and discuss your options, get to know each other!

Attend the birth - Clare will be on call 24 hours a day for a period decided between you, Clare will then attend your home, hospital or birthing centre as soon as you feel the need for extra support.

Offer calm, confident reassurance for both you and your support persons.

Make or fetch drinks and snacks

Help or remind of positions for labour

Offer information to allow you to make informed decisions

Guard your birthing environment and wishes and aim to ensure your birth plan is followed.

1 Postnatal visit - Discuss your birth, Assist with breastfeeding and help you settle in to your new roles as mummy and daddy!

Postnatal Doula only

Number of visits to be agreed between us. Normally visits last for up to 6 weeks although we can usually agree additional visits if required

Each visit will last approx 3 hours.

Clare is there as a support for mum and a friendly ear.

This can be any number of ways - 

Listening

Find out about real nappies

Breastfeeding support

Light housework - previously agreed

Looking after baby and other siblings whilst mum has a bath or some 'me' time!

Ironing - if your desperate!

laundry

Washing up 

small shopping trips etc

Information on Real nappies, baby care etc

Making sure you are looking after yourself!

A doula's role is to help you to learn and grow as a mum so that you can feel empowered and confident in your own abilities. A doula is not there to take over your role or your partners, She is not there to offer advice but support.

Previous couples comments

Sarah and Andy - Dec 08

To anyone considering Clare as a doula, do not hesitate!

Having only met Clare twice previously during 2 HypnoBirth classes, my husband and I decided that we would like to ask Clare to attend as doula during the birth of our baby. This was one of the best decisions we have made. Clare was a godsend to me, my husband, my sister and mother. Clare helped us all so much, for example: assisting in filling our birthing pool, making endless drinks for everybody, as well as providing constant encouragement, praise, kind words and laughter. She also questioned the midwives on various suggestions they were making with regard to the health and well-being of me and my baby.

It really was like having a best friend around that knew exactly what to say, and do, without being asked. She even stayed awake throughout the whole 17 hours whilst my husband, sister and mother took it in turns to have a quick nap through the night.

My labouring time at home was 30 hours in total; 5 midwives came and went while Clare stayed throughout.

We really can’t thank or praise her enough, she’s a total star!!!

more to come

Availability

Dec- mid January 08 - Available

Mid Jan to Mid Feb - Booked

March - Available

April - Available

May - Available - Provisional booking taken

June- Available

July - Beginning - Unavailable / Mid Jan Booked

August - beginning - mid August Booked

Costs

Clare is currently a trainee birth and postnatal Doula and for that reason Clare's prices are low!

Birth Doula £150 maximum

Postnatal Doula £10 per hour plus mileage charged at 35 pence per mile above a 10 mile radius of Clare's home in Gnosall.

We accept credit and debit cards and can also arrange for gift vouchers for your friends and family too!

Please Contact Clare to discuss your needs.

Click here for Contact details