My name is Siobhan and I am originally from a beautiful little seaside town called Ballito in Natal, South Africa. I have been in the UK for many years and live in Wimbledon, SW London with my family.
I have always been fascinated by the innate power of a woman’s body and the birthing process and feel that being a doula and supporting women and their families through this journey is something that I was meant to do.
I first came across the word “Doula” when I attended the birth of a friend of mine’s baby boy, Joshua. I was her birth partner and a lovely midwife colleague who assisted with the birth suggested I become a Doula. I had never heard of this before and started to do some research on it and was absolutely thrilled when I found out that this wouldn’t be a ‘job’ for me, it would be an honour to be able to provide continuous support and help mothers-to-be / new mothers and their partners in their roles as parents!
I trained through Nurturing Birth as a Birth and Post-natal Doula in October 2008. I am also registered with Doula UK and I completed my recognition status with them in June 2009. I abide by Doula UK’s Philosophy and Code of Practice as well as the Nurturing Birth’s Code of Practice. Though I have trained as a Doula, I know that my “training” will never end and I can’t wait to continue learning and gaining experience through every birth I attend!
During my work as a doula, I realised that there was an enormous need for breastfeeding support for all the new mums and families out there and I couldn’t believe how much conflicting advice and information these new mums were being given and how confusing it all was. I then decided to pursue my training and knowledge on breastfeeding and trained with the Association of Breastfeeding Mothers and La Leche League as a Breastfeeding Peer Supporter.
I had the added benefit of working under a few very knowledgeable Lactation Consultants and one very special lady, Mary Griffiths, encouraged me to sit the IBCLC exam in 2011, which I passed and I am now very proud to call myself an “International Board Certified Lactation Consultant”.
I am passionate about breastfeeding, but more importantly I am passionate about mother’s choice and having a happy family, so if you want to breastfeed and welcome me into your home, I will be guided by you and do whatever I can to make your breastfeeding experience a positive one!
To see Testimonials from previous clients, click here
To see photos of the “Sunshine Babies”, click here