About me:

Hello, my name is Felicity and I am a certified birth and postnatal doula based on the Somerset/Wiltshire border. I am passionate about helping families feel secure, prepared and supported as they move through the journey of parenthood.

I am a mother of three and since having my own children I have become increasingly aware of the need to support new and expectant mothers and their families through this incredible right of passage, from conception to pregnancy and in those precious first weeks with a newborn. Pregnancy, birth and new parenthood can be a positive, enriching and transformative experience but they can also be really tough. Perhaps you have had a difficult experience in the past or you are anxious about starting out down this path. By providing you with the right help, support and information, I will do my utmost to make this fascinating and challenging experience as positive as possible.

I had my first two babies in hospital in the States, far away from friends and family and although I loved the experience, it was hard and I was very aware of how much support and positive attitudes to pregnancy and birth can mean in those early days. People often say that it takes a village to raise a child, but particularly in modern life this is not always something we have access to. As an experienced mother, and village dweller, I would love to be part of your support team that allows this to happen.

After my two hospital births in the states, I had my third baby at home in the UK so I have a spectrum of experiences that will help me give you an unbiased and open emotional support service where I will respect your choices and help you to be as informed as possible. I am fascinated by the physiology and mechanics of birth, matrescence and early childhood development, so will be there to help signpost you to the most up to date information, so that you can make the best informed choices for your family. I would love to support you in whichever way you choose to birth your baby whether that be in hospital, in a birth centre, medicated or not, a caesarean birth, or at home. I have both breast and bottle-fed my babies and would love to help you with your feeding journey, whatever that looks like. Every birth is a transformative experience and there is no right way to do it. I would like to help you find what is right for you so that you can go into it feeling prepared and confident.

I would like to help nurture you through your pregnancy and birth so that you and your family can have the best preparation for life with a newborn. If you would like support after the baby is born, I would love the opportunity to look after you and your partner with good food, space to sleep and whatever else you might need in the weeks after birth. This is a really important time for you all and it would be a privilege to be a part of it and help it be the most enjoyable and stress-free experience that it can be.

Services and packages I offer:

After an initial, free 30 minute meeting, either on zoom or over a coffee in a café convenient to us both, I can offer a tailored service to suit your needs. Below are some ideas of packages I can provide, but please do get in touch to discuss whatever would be most beneficial to you. If finances are a barrier for you, please get in touch and we can discuss options.

Birth package:

In my birth package I can offer you support throughout your pregnancy, during your birth and postnatally. This will include 3 or 4 antenatal meetings where we can discuss what my role can be and how involved you would like me to be in antenatal appointments. We can discuss your feelings and concerns around the pregnancy and birth, as well as have an opportunity to talk through any previous pregnancies and births and how they made you feel. We will also have time to run through exercises to help you think about how you want your birth to feel, what will be your birth preferences and the options available to you. I can also provide you with information on informed choice, the physiology of birth, birth mechanics and feeding preferences and preparing for after the baby is born. I will also be available by phone and text for the whole of your pregnancy.

I will then be on call from 38 weeks to support you in your labour and birth and will be there as soon as you want me to be and will not leave until your baby is born and you are settled.

I will then come for 2 postnatal meetings where I can talk through any initial issues or concerns you might have, talk through your experience of birth and support you with your feeding, however that looks for you. These meetings can then take whatever form you chose, should that be holding the baby while you sleep, looking after older siblings, taking you out for your first walk or just cooking you a meal and helping you wash. Whatever you need. You can also opt to have more of these sessions on an ad hoc basis if you feel that would be helpful.

This package is £1000

Postnatal package:

If you know that you would like postnatal support while you are pregnant, after our initial free meeting, I would love to come and meet you at least once before you give birth so we can get to know each other and make sure you feel really comfortable with me so that I can best support you after your baby is born. In these meetings we can discuss what sort of support you think you will need and how you would like me to help you. We can also discuss your preferences for birth, feeding, sleep and any other issues – with the given caveat that all of this may change after the birth! I will then be there for you once you have given birth and we can arrange a suitable time for me to come and visit. You can then book me for blocks of a minimum of 2 hours where I can provide whatever support feels best for you in that moment, whether it be emotional support for you and your partner, amusing older siblings, holding the baby so you can sleep or helping around the house with a bit of light housework or cooking.

£100 for one antenatal and one 2-hour postnatal session. If you would like more support you can buy more hours in 2 hour slots charged at @£25 per hour

SOS Doula support:

If you and your family decide that you would benefit from some support after your baby is born, as with the above package this can take the form you need - whether that be emotional or practical I am happy to help. I can help with feeding, take out the bins or just hold your hand while you talk through how you are feeling if that is what you need. Some parents would like a break from holding the baby, others want some time alone with the baby. I can take out big brothers and sisters for a play in the park, run you a bath or make you a cake (it might be flat but I’ll put lots of chocolate in it!)

£25 per hour, minimum of 2 hours.

Antenatal support:

This is for parents who in the lead up to birth, would benefit from one or two sessions to discuss in detail your birth preferences, options and concerns with an impartial person. This can also be a space to discuss previous pregnancies and births and any concerns that have arisen as a result. I will help signpost you to the most up to date information and help you navigate what services and options are available to you in your area so that you can make informed choices. This will result in a comprehensive birth preferences document that you feel happy with.

£95

Relevant Training and experience

• Doula UK accredited Doula training Continuum Doula
• ABM trained breastfeeding peer supporter
• Support after Pregnancy and Baby Loss Awareness, Doula UK Training
• Supporting VBAC clients, Doula UK training
• Free From Harm, Obstetric Violence Training from White Ribbon Alliance
• Doula's without borders volunteer
• Postnatal Ward breastfeeding peer supporter volunteer
• 10 years parenting my three children
• Ran a baby and toddler group in local village hall
• Governor at local nursery and school
• Worked in a nursery, taking care of children aged 6 months- 4 years
• Attended hypnobirthing, basic paediatric health and first aid courses
• Full DBS check
• Fully insured
• Full, clean driving licence