About Cara Jordan - Birth Doula, Postnatal Doula & Night Nanny in West London, Maidenhead, Reading & Surrounding Areas
MY ETHOS
Motherhood wakened my questioning mind, which set me on a beautiful journey, in 2018 I became a Birth & Postnatal doula. I support families across West London, Maidenhead, Reading and surrounding areas.
For millennia, humans have lived in close communities with extended family and neighbours. In these communities we would have heard, seen and even supported birth before our own birth experience. Similarly in caring for infants, we would have seen people caring for babies in close proximity, spent time with babies and cared for them before having our own. Increasingly over the last 100 years, we live in a nuclear family structure, with less chance of gaining lived experience, acquiring skills and the support that is afforded by a close community. This can be felt quite acutely when we start our own families. I see the role of a Doula and Night Nanny as easing this lost experience and community.
ON REFLECTION
I am a mum to two energetic beauties; my daughter was born in 2010 and my son in 2014. There is a lot of ‘teen energy’ now! Before becoming a mama, I worked in London as a fashion buyer, developing product ranges across the high street.
On reflection, I wish I had doula support around the time of their births. Firstly a postnatal doula, in caring for my daughter, my first born. It was such a steep, love-fuelled learning curve, to have had a doula by my side to encourage, empathise, guide and normalise, to help me adjust from my ‘modern/busy/London/career’ brain to that of motherhood would have been such a benefit.
Secondly, a birth doula, for the birth of my son. I carried some unresolved experiences to his birth. I wished I had worked with a doula ahead of his birth, explored my experiences and then had her support on the day. To have felt understood and truly seen would have made the difference.
MY APPROACH
In 2018 I trained to be a doula with Conscious Birthing , after which I became mentored doula within Doula UK. That same summer, I started working with my first client, a client I went on to support through the births of her five children in Oxford.
I love being a calming, reassuring presence for my clients and seeing the difference that can make. As well as a practice of service, it’s also been one of self discovery and refection. Being a doula and caring for families feeds my soul.
I'm caring, friendly and open. I will support you and your partner in your choices and as you need. I would consider it to be an honour to be part of your journey.
Please do not hesitate to get in contact to ask any questions or to arrange to meet. The introductory meeting is without obligation and free, it’s a great opportunity to learn more about one another.
BIRTH DOULA SUPPORT
Support in pregnancy
Birth preparation
Postnatal preparation
Attending your baby’s birth
Supporting you through your birth experience in the setting you choose be that hospital, a midwife-led setting or home.
Visiting you when you have your baby in arms
SUPPORT IN THE MONTHS AFTER BIRTH
Answering your queries around baby care and behaviour.
Supporting your feeding choice, be that breast or bottle feeding.
Caring for your baby while you rest or overnight while you sleep.
Light household tasks & food preparation.
Negotiating challenges with you, talking concerns through and researching into solutions with you.
Caring for siblings and pets.
Signposting to relevant organisations or professionals.
Processing your birth experience.
What’s it like to work with you?
You’ll feel listened to, understood and supported. You’ll find me reliable, friendly, responsive and straightforward. The support will be unobtrusive: gentle guidance, words of encouragement, making sure you have eaten or an offer of a helping hand. I’ll both follow your requests and use my initiative. My clients’ feedback says it best, Birth Feedback and Postnatal Feedback.
What's the booking process?
When you are ready to book, I’ll send you a Letter of Agreement detailing the service you are booking and the terms. You can then read this through and sign it. I then kindly ask for the deposit to complete the booking and secure the time in my calendar.
MY TRAINING
DOULA UK INTRODUCTORY DAY, LONDON
30TH JUNE 2018
CONSCIOUS BIRTHING DOULA TRAINING COURSE, IBIZA
https://www.consciousbirthing.co.uk
2ND-6TH JULY 2018
DOULA UK MENTORSHIP WITH MENTOR, ZARA DE CANDOLE
27TH JULY 2018 (TO 30TH JUNE 2021)
REBOZO COURSE WITH SOPHIE MESSAGER
AUGUST 2018
1ST DOULA CLIENT
SEPTEMBER 2018
DOULA UK AGM PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT DAY
19TH SEPTEMBER 2018
SPINNING BABIES PARENTS COURSE
https://www.spinningbabies.com
21ST SEPTEMBER 2018
ABM BREASTFEEDING COUNSELLOR & NATIONAL HELPLINE TRAINING
2019- COMPLETED SEPTEMBER 2020
BIOMECHANICS FOR BIRTH COURSE, LONDON
https://www.optimalbirth.co.uk/index.php
21ST APRIL 2023
BIRTH & POSTNATAL YOGA TRAINING WITH SALLY PARKES
JUNE - OCTOBER 2023
RAINBOW BABY SPECIALIST TRAINING WITH FOUNDATION FOR INFANT LOSS
https://www.foundationforinfantloss.co.uk
SEPTEMBER 2024
HOMEOPATHY FOR PREGNANCY, BIRTH & BREASTFEEDING
https://www.homeopathyforliving.co.uk
WITH HOMEOPATHY FOR LIVING, MARCH - APRIL 2025
FULL PAEDIATRIC FIRST AID COURSE WITH FIRST AID FOR LIFE, LONDON
https://firstaidforlife.org.uk
AWARDED 6TH OF AUGUST 2025
How will I know I've found the right doula?
After you’ve looked into a doula’s background and experience, simply meet them. Being together will mean you get a feel for them on a deeper level. It needs to be a very personal fit. Have in mind, does this doula feel like a good fit for our family?
Questions to consider asking in an interview:
What lead you to becoming a doula?
How long have you been a doula?
What do you enjoy most about the role?
How many clients you supported as a doula?
What did your doula training entail?
Include any questions about your particular circumstances too.
After meeting, ask yourselves:
Do you like them as a person, are you comfortable with them?
Do you want to invite them into your birth and/or postnatal experience?
