Birth Doula Support in West London, Maidenhead, Reading & Surrounding Areas
You are building a vision of how you would like your birth experience to look, of how you’d like to feel as you welcome your baby. You need to know that your birth preferences will be represented in the birth room, that your voice will be heard. Potentially, you’ve had a difficult past birth experience, one you don’t want repeated. As you navigate your pathway to birth, you and your partner have had thoughts of needing another layer of support. How could investing in this changing experience, your birth experience, make the difference?
MY APPROACH
Our meetings in preparation for birth form a valuable foundation. You will explore a variety of topics with the aim of accessing and developing your birthing ethos. Your birthing ethos can help inform choices pregnancy & birth may present to you.
By really getting to know you, your partner and your hopes around birth, I can personalise and deepen the support I offer you. I'm there for you between our meetings too.
IN PREPARATION FOR BIRTH
Build your dream birthing experience, practically and metaphorically.
Work towards a healthy and open mind ready for birth.
Consider ways to balance your body ahead of birth.
Explore evidenced based information to inform your decisions along your antenatal and birth journey.
Experiment with techniques and movement to use during birth.
Document your birth preferences.
Prepare and plan for the postpartum period, the 4th trimester.
A.O’S BIRTH TESTIMONIAL
“From the very beginning to the very end, Cara was a rock throughout the entire labor and birthing journey. She was our biggest advocate and biggest support. I truly can’t imagine the experience without her. My hope was to not request pain management throughout my labor but there was one point during contractions I was in so much pain I thought I was going to ask for it. However, Cara was able to physically support and lessen the most intense pain I’d ever had in my life. Through the short down time of my contractions, Cara was there through it all providing more pain management from what we had previously discussed through encouraging words, hand feeding me water and snacks, holding my hand, and having me breathe in scents of lavender. In addition to all of this, she was my spokesperson when I couldn’t speak. Cara seemed to have a natural instinct of just how and when to help. I largely attribute my positive birthing experience to her. Cara made an unsettling, nerve wracking, and life changing event much easier, less scary and truly joyful. Her support, love, knowledge, resourcefulness (and more) from prenatally to postnatally is absolutely invaluable…..”
DURING BIRTH
During birth you’ll want to be in tune with your partner and I’ll be there to provide another layer of emotional and practical support.
Being comfortable in birth will be a priority for you, I can provide massage and other physical comfort measures and support your partner in doing so too.
Your birthing environment will be set up as you envisioned.
We’ll remind you of your strength.
If a need arises, you’ll want support to gather information so you can make informed decisions in the moment.
After birth, once you are comfortable and content, I’ll slip away. Within a week of birth, I'll visit you at home to discuss the birth and how you are finding early parenthood.
MY BIRTH DOULA EXPERIENCE
Over my eight years of practice as a birth doula, I have experience of; both home and hospital birth, undisturbed natural birth, epidural birth, caesarean birth, gentle caesarean birth, hypnobirthing, vaginal birth after caesarean (VBAC), solo mamas, induction, water birth, birth over 40 years, IVF babies, twin birth, twin home birth, Heart babies, birth after loss, infant loss, complex health pictures and supporting fears & phobias around birth. I love being both a sole birth partner and an additional birth partner. I have supported birth at many hospitals across the region, including all of the major London hospitals.
BIRTH DOULA FEEDBACK
Click on the titles to read my clients’ wonderful testimonials.
BIRTH PACKAGES
STARS- £7600
Enhanced pregnancy & postpartum support
4 in-depth birth preparation sessions.
Research and refection emails.
Contact by phone, text, and email.
On-call 24 hours a day from 38 weeks gestation.
Birth support.
100-hours of postnatal support.
SUN- £4650
Flowing into postnatal support
2 in-depth birth preparation sessions.
Research and refection emails.
Contact by phone, text, and email.
On-call 24 hours a day from 38 weeks gestation.
Birth support.
40-hours of postnatal support.
MOON- £3200
Birth preparation & support
2 in-depth birth preparation sessions.
Research and refection emails.
Contact by phone, text, and email.
On-call 24 hours a day from 38 weeks gestation.
Birth support.
Post-birth reflection meeting.
STARS PACKAGE- £7600
Enhanced support in pregnancy and the postpartum
At the beginning….
We’ll book a connection call, to chat through what’s led you to seek support and find out about one another. From there we can arrange to meet, in-person or online if you’d prefer, the introductory meeting is free and without obligation, it’s a great chance to ask further questions and establish that I’m the right doula for you.
When you are ready to book, I’ll send you a Letter of Agreement detailing the service you are booking with the terms of service. From there, it’s a case of signing the contract and transferring the deposit to secure the time in my calendar.
Once booked, we’ll arrange a date for the first meeting in your package- exciting!
Stars Package
I’ll hold a space for you and your partner, as you prepare to enter this new phase of your lives, with four in-person sessions to prepare for birth, the postpartum period and parenting. We can explore your desires, hopes and dreams. When needed, we will walk through shadows together.
After these sessions, I’ll compile a detailed email with areas discussed, any relevant research and points to cover in our next meeting.
Between our meetings my support will continue by phone, text, and email.
I’ll be on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, from 38 weeks gestation until your baby is born.
I will support you during the birth as you and your partner indicate. I’ll stay with you until your baby’s first feed is initiated.
In the weeks after birth, I will support you as a Postnatal Doula with I00-hours of postnatal care for you and your family. We can set a schedule for this care ahead of birth. I can support you day, night, or a combination of both. I have a 6-hour minimum session length in the daytime and a 12-hour minimum overnight. Read about my postnatal care.
SUN PACKAGE- £4650
Flowing into postnatal support
At the beginning….
We’ll book a connection call, to chat through what’s led you to seek support and find out about one another. From there we can arrange to meet, in-person or online if you’d prefer, the introductory meeting is free and without obligation, it’s a great chance to ask further questions and establish that I’m the right doula for you.
When you are ready to book, I’ll send you a Letter of Agreement detailing the service you are booking with the terms of service. From there, it’s a case of signing the contract and transferring the deposit to secure the time in my calendar.
Once booked, we’ll arrange a date for the first meeting in your package- exciting!
Sun Package
I’ll arrange two in-depth sessions with you and your partner to prepare for the birth and postpartum period.
After these sessions, I’ll compile a detailed email with areas discussed, any relevant research and points to cover in our next meeting.
Between our meetings my support will continue by phone, text, and email.
I’ll be on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, from 38 weeks gestation until your baby is born.
I will support you during the birth as you and your partner indicate. I’ll stay with you until your baby’s first feed is initiated.
In the weeks after birth, I will support you as a Postnatal Doula with 40-hours of postnatal care for you and your family. We can set a schedule for this care ahead of birth. I can support you day, night, or a combination of both. I have a 6-hour minimum session length in the daytime and a 12-hour minimum overnight.
MOON PACKAGE- £3200
Birth support
At the beginning….
We’ll book a connection call, to chat through what’s led you to seek support and find out about one another. From there we can arrange to meet, in-person or online if you’d prefer, the introductory meeting is free and without obligation, it’s a great chance to ask further questions and establish that I’m the right doula for you.
When you are ready to book, I’ll send you a Letter of Agreement detailing the service you are booking with the terms of service. From there, it’s a case of signing the contract and transferring the deposit to secure the time in my calendar.
Once booked, we’ll arrange a date for the first meeting in your package- exciting!
Moon Package
I’ll arrange two in-depth sessions with you and your partner to prepare for the birth and postpartum period.
After these sessions, I’ll compile a detailed email with areas discussed, any relevant research and points to cover in our next meeting.
Between our meetings my support will continue by phone, text, and email.
I’ll be on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, from 38 weeks gestation until your baby is born.
I will support you during the birth as you and your partner indicate. I’ll stay with you until your baby’s first feed is initiated.
We’ll have a post-birth reflection meeting to check in with you, your partner and baby.
COMMON CONCERNS AROUND HIRING A DOULA
My partner is concerned they might feel marginalised by having support?
My intention is to hold a couple, a family, connected to each other in the centre, with me providing a cushioning layer on the outside. At such a life affirming time, you experiencing this as a couple, being present for one another, your baby and to the experience means so much. My support fills in gaps, is an extra pair of hands, is guided by you & understands you as people. My clients’ report feeling that they were both supported, that there was someone else they could both rely on when needed.
Are you allowed to support me in a hospital?
Yes, doulas are a very welcome support in hospital. I typically support you at home and then move to the hospital when you do. If the need arises, I’ll meet you at hospital.
Do you only support natural birth choices?
I support all birth. I will support you in your choices and as you need.
Through my work as a birth doula I have experience of; both home and hospital birth, undisturbed natural birth, epidural birth, caesarean birth, gentle caesarean birth, hypnobirthing, vaginal birth after caesarean (VBAC), solo mamas, induction, water birth, birth over 40 years, IVF babies, twin birth, twin home birth, Heart babies, birth after loss, infant loss, complex health pictures and supporting fears & phobias around birth. I love being both a sole birth partner and an additional birth partner.
How can you support me during a birth with medical intervention?
The same as any birth, I will tune into you, to provide emotional and practical support. The support will be informed by everything I have learnt about you during pregnancy, coupled with my experience and knowledge of birth. Your aim will be to feel central to your birth experience, to be fully informed, if a need arises, we’ll gather information so you can make informed decisions in the moment. The support will be unobtrusive: a reminder of a comfort technique, words of encouragement, breathing with you during a contraction or an offer of a physical comfort technique. I will keep the birthing environment, as you have indicated.
Do midwives and doula clash in their approach?
Midwives facilitate medical care; monitoring you and your baby, physical examinations, administering medication & clinical note taking. Midwives also encourage and guide birthing people as they navigate their birth path. This is where the roles of the doula and midwife cross over. I feel we are motivated by the same thing, to support a woman through the most transformative of experiences. The roles are complementary, with the birthing person at the centre. Doulas and midwives have respect for one another.
ARTICLE
E.D’S BIRTH TESTIMONIAL
“My sons birth would have been a very different experience without Cara. Whilst preparing for the birth she didn’t want to change our opinion but deeply listened to us and supported us in a gentle way, in our choices. Even though she has a wealth of experience she didn’t in the slightest have a ‘know it all’ approach but kept an open mind throughout our conversations. We felt respected. My labour started fast and furious so we forgot the snacks at home when we headed to the hospital. All I craved for was cheese that of course no hospital vending machines would have. No hesitation - Cara went out and bought some which meant my partner could stay with me. Small things do matter- from back rubs, through pinning hair out of the face to encouraging smiles, Cara couldn’t have supported us better in those moments. My preference was to birth in the pool. Due to my long labour we had to move rooms a few times. Cara fought so hard each time so I could get in the water as quickly as possible. Her presence empowered us and meant that despite all the obstacles we felt we had a positive birth experience. We couldn’t be happier and would recommend Cara with all our hearts.”
I cover West London and areas of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire & Surrey.
LONDON SUPPORT AREA
SUPPORT AREA
Cara is a highly-rated Birth Doula & Postnatal Doula with outstanding client feedback. She covers West London & areas of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire & Surrey. West London: Chelsea, Chiswick, Ealing, East Sheen, Fulham, Hammersmith, Harrow, Notting Hill, Paddington, Putney, Maida Vale & Richmond-upon-Thames. The wider area of: Ascot, Basingstoke, Beaconsfield, Bracknell, Chalfont, Cobham, Cookham, Henley-on-Thames, High Wycombe, Maidenhead, Marlow, Newbury, Oxford, Penn, Reading, Sunninghill, Windsor & Woking.
Frequently Asked Questions of a London Birth Doula
-
When you want to go ahead, I’ll send you a Letter of Agreement detailing the service you are booking with the terms. You’ll read through and sign, then I’ll sign it. I then kindly ask for the deposit to complete the booking and secure the time in my calendar.
-
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’s a very personal fit. Have in mind, does this doula feel like a good fit for our family?
Questions to ask 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?
-
We’ll be in close contact. I kindly ask you to keep me informed of any ‘birthy’ signs: unusual bowel movements, mucus plug, bleeding, discomfort, notable changes in emotions, surges/contractions & waters releasing etc….You might just have a feeling things are getting closer, I’d like to know that too!
Also I’d like to to know in real time, of any relevant information, timescales & next steps from appointments you have with your doctors or other healthcare professionals.
Please CALL me immediately (at any hour of the day or night!) when you believe that you may be going into or, are already in labour. Please phone me rather than message. Please keep calling if I don’t answer.
Once we speak we can make a plan. You might feel you don’t want me to come yet but it’s helpful for me to know that birth is starting to unfold.
-
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.
POSTNATAL DOULA
As you get to know your baby, I offer guidance, empathy, encouragement and an extra pair of hands. I care you, your family and your home with a reassuring, kind presence. I provide support to ease your pathway through the love-fulled months after birth, a time of connection, recovery and finding a new rhythm. Explore more about Postnatal Doula Support
NIGHT NANNY
I provide compassionate, responsive, overnight care for your newborn baby while you sleep. Infant care to include feeding, changing, winding, settling & cuddling. Support intended to restore your energy levels and aid your healing journey. My approach is one of compassion, my aim is to care for your baby, as you would. I work with clients who are breastfeeding, bottle-feeding and a combination of the two. Find out more about my Night Nanny Services.
GREAT BIRTH RESOURCES
Dr Sara Wickham https://www.sarawickham.com
Dr Rachel Reed https://www.rachelreed.website