FAQ
Which areas do you cover:
I cover Surrey and South West London, if you are outside that area please do contact me as I can be available.
- SW London
- Surrey
- Balham
- Banstead
- Battersea
- Brixton
- Chelsea
- Chiswick
- Clapham
- Claygate
- Croydon
- Dulwich
- East Molesey
- East Sheen
- Epsom
- Esher
- Ewell
- Fulham
- Hammersmith
- Hampton
- Hinchley Wood
- Kensington
- Kingston
- Kingswood
- Knightsbridge
- Lambeth
- Long Ditton
- Mortlake
- Oxshott
- Putney
- Raynes Park
- Reigate
- Richmond
- Shepherd’s Bush
- Southwark
- Southfields
- Streatham
- Sunbury-on-Thames
- Surbiton
- Tadworth
- Teddington
- Thames Ditton
- Twickenham
- Wandsworth
- West Molesey
- Wimbledon
- Worcester Park
Which hospitals do you cover?
- Chelsea & Westminster Hospital (SW10 9NH)
- Ealing Hospital (UB1 3HW)
- Epsom General Hospital (SM5 1AA)
- Guy’s & St Thomas’ Hospital (SE1 9RT)
- King’s College Hospital (SE5 9RS)
- Kingston Hospital (KT2 7QB)
- Mayday University Hospital (CR7 7YE)
- Queen Charlotte’s & Chelsea Hospital (W12 0HS)
- Royal Surrey County Hospital (GU2 7XX)
- St George’s Hospital (SW17 0QT)
- St Helier Hospital (SM5 1AA)
- St Mary’s Hospital (W2 1NY)
- The Birth Center (SW17 0QT)
- The Portland (W1W 5AH)
- West Middlesex University Hospital (TW7 6AF)
& Your home!
How can a doula support dads / birth partners?
One of the greatest benefits of having a doula is that we support both of you. My role isn’t to replace your birth partner – it’s to help them feel confident, involved and supported so they can be fully present for you.
Labour can be a wonderful experience, but it can also be physically demanding and emotionally intense for birth partners. Many worry about whether they’re doing enough, saying the right things or knowing how best to help. With a doula by your side, they don’t have to carry that responsibility alone.
Throughout your labour, I’ll gently guide and encourage your birth partner, suggesting practical ways they can comfort and support you – whether that’s massage, helping you change positions, reminding you to eat and drink, to go to the toilet, creating a calm environment, or simply reassuring them that they’re doing a great job.
Having a doula also means your partner has someone looking out for them too. If they need a few moments to gather their thoughts, have a rest in the next door room, grab something to eat, make an important phone call or care for other children, they can do so knowing you’ll never be left without continuous support. I’ll remain by your side until they return, ensuring you always have a calm, familiar presence with you.
Every couple is different, and every labour unfolds in its own way. Sometimes I’ll quietly stay in the background, allowing you and your partner to share private moments together. At other times, I’ll step in with more hands-on support, guidance and reassurance. My role is to adapt to what you both need in the moment, always respecting your relationship, your space and your wishes.
Many birth partners tell me afterwards that having a doula allowed them to enjoy the experience more. Instead of feeling solely responsible for remembering everything or “getting it right”, they felt reassured knowing there was an experienced professional alongside them. This gave them the confidence to focus on what mattered most – supporting the person they love and welcoming their baby into the world.
Birth is a team effort. Your midwife provides your clinical care, your birth partner brings love, encouragement and connection, and your doula provides continuous emotional, physical and practical support for you both. Together, we create a calm, supportive environment where you can feel informed, cared for and never alone.
What is the difference between a doula and a midwife?
Doulas and midwives work very differently, but together they can make an excellent team. Both are there to support you during pregnancy and birth, but our roles, responsibilities, and priorities are quite different.
A midwife is a qualified healthcare professional, regulated by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and usually employed by the NHS (although some independent midwives work privately). Midwives are experts in pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period. They monitor the health and wellbeing of both you and your baby, carry out clinical assessments, recognise complications, provide medical care within their scope of practice, and work alongside obstetricians and other healthcare professionals if additional support is needed.
Throughout your pregnancy, labour and after your baby is born, your midwife provides essential clinical care and is responsible for keeping you and your baby safe. They are trained to identify when labour is progressing normally and when medical intervention may be recommended.
However, NHS midwives also have responsibilities to their employer and the wider maternity team. During labour they are required to complete clinical observations, documentation and administrative tasks, while also caring for other families and following their trust’s policies and guidelines. Because of these responsibilities, they may not always be able to provide continuous one-to-one emotional and physical support throughout your labour. In many hospitals, midwives work shifts, so unless you’re receiving continuity of care, you may not meet the midwife attending your birth until you’re in labour.
A doula, on the other hand, is a non-medical birth professional who is employed directly by you. Our role isn’t to replace your midwife – we work alongside them, complementing the care they provide.
Unlike healthcare professionals, doulas don’t perform clinical examinations, monitor your baby’s heartbeat, diagnose medical conditions or give medical advice. Instead, we focus entirely on supporting you and your partner emotionally, physically and practically throughout pregnancy, birth and the early postnatal period.
Because a doula only supports one family at a time, you receive continuous, personalised care from someone you’ve already built a relationship with. We get to know your hopes, concerns, preferences and birth plans long before labour begins, so when the day arrives, you’re supported by a familiar face who understands what matters most to you.
During labour, your doula can:
- Provide continuous emotional reassurance and encouragement
- Suggest comfortable positions and movement to support labour
- Offer massage, breathing techniques and comfort measures
- Help create a calm, positive birth environment
- Support your birth partner, giving them confidence and practical ways to help
- Help you understand information and discuss your options with your healthcare team, so you can make informed decisions
- Stay with you throughout your labour and birth, whether you’re at home, in a birth centre or in hospital
Unlike hospital staff, a doula doesn’t change shifts or leave at the end of a working day. We remain with you throughout your birth, offering steady, familiar support from the early stages of labour until after your baby is born.
Many families tell me that one of the biggest benefits of having a doula is simply knowing they won’t be facing labour alone. Having someone who knows you, understands your wishes and is focused entirely on your wellbeing can help you feel calmer, more confident and more prepared—whatever kind of birth unfolds.
Research has consistently found that continuous support during labour is associated with improved birth experiences and may reduce the likelihood of certain interventions. While every birth is unique and no outcomes can be guaranteed, many parents find that having both a skilled midwife providing clinical care and a dedicated doula providing continuous emotional and practical support offers the best of both worlds.
In short, your midwife is responsible for your medical care; your doula is dedicated to your continuous emotional, physical and informational support. Together, they each bring something valuable to your birth experience.
At what point in pregnancy should I hire a doula?
The short answer is: it’s never too early—but it’s rarely too late.
Most doulas only take on a limited number of clients each month so they can be fully available around your due date. Booking early gives you the widest choice of doulas and allows plenty of time to get to know each other and build a trusting relationship before your baby’s arrival.
Some of my clients contact me as soon as they see a positive pregnancy test (although I generally recommend waiting until after 12 weeks), while others decide they’d like doula support much later in pregnancy. I’ve even been booked by families at 38 weeks, or due to unforseen circumstances such as a dad who broke his leg skiing right before the mum’s EDD! Every situation is different, and depending on the support you’re looking for, I can often be flexible with my pricing.
If you’re considering doula support at any stage of your pregnancy, please get in touch, I’d be happy to chat about how I can help.
Can I get a Doula on the NHS?
A: Unfortunately, no. Doulas are not available through the NHS as a service you can choose or be referred to. While a small number of NHS trusts employ doulas, they work as part of the trust’s maternity team rather than providing one-to-one support for individual families. Although their role can be valuable, it isn’t the same as having your own independent doula.
If you have private health insurance, it’s worth checking whether your policy includes cover for doula support. Some insurers are beginning to recognise the benefits of doula care and may contribute towards the cost. Carrot Insurance is one example that offers this as part of some plans.
I like your website and your philosophy – what happens next?
That’s wonderful to hear!
The next step is simply to get in touch. You can send me a WhatsApp message, text, email or give me a call, and we’ll arrange a free, no-obligation chat at a time that suits you.
We can meet over a video call or, if you prefer, I’m more than happy to visit you at home. Choosing a doula is a very personal decision, so it’s important that you feel comfortable with the person supporting you during your pregnancy and birth.
Our first conversation is a chance for us to get to know each other, chat about your pregnancy, birth hopes and any questions you may have. It’s also an opportunity to see whether we click and whether I’m the right doula for you. There’s absolutely no pressure or commitment – it’s simply an informal conversation to help you decide if we’re a good fit.
If you decide you’d like to work with me, I’ll explain my packages, answer any remaining questions and guide you through the booking process.
I look forward to meeting you and hearing about your journey.
When would you go ‘on call’ for me?
I usually go on call from 38 weeks for a singleton pregnancy and 36 weeks if you’re expecting twins or multiples.
From the moment I go on call, I’m available to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. During this time, you and your birth become my priority. I don’t travel, make commitments that would take me far from home, or arrange anything that could prevent me from reaching you. I’ll always remain within around 60 – 90 minutes of your location so that I’m ready to join you in labour.
Of course, babies don’t always follow the timetable! If you go into labour before your official ‘on call’ date and I’m available, I’ll always do everything I can to be there to support you. While I can’t guarantee my availability before I’m on call, I’ll make every effort to reach you if possible.
If you’re expecting an earlier birth – for example because of a planned induction or caesarean birth, a history of premature labour, complicated pregnancy, or a pregnancy where earlier support would provide extra reassurance – I’m happy to discuss extending your ‘on call’ period. Every family is different, and wherever possible I’ll work with you to create a plan that meets your individual needs.
Begin Gently
Ready to feel more supported?
Reach out for a calm, no-obligation conversation. Together we will find the kind of support that fits your family.