Birth Your Way
The right support during pregnancy and childbirth is essential.
My 1:1 birth doula support offers a personal and safe experience for you and your partner. With over 8 years of experience, I help you relax and focus on each other and your baby as I guide you through your pregnancy, labour, birth and early postpartum. With the preparation we do together, you will feel less anxious and more knowledgeable, allowing you to embrace your birthing experience with reassurance and support. Your partner will feel secure and confident in their role with my gentle guidance, my aim is for you both to have the birth you wish to have and to look back knowing how connected you both were.
I work closely with your midwives to ensure your comfort, safety and confidence. In the birth room, we form a strong team around you. Your midwives, you, your partner and I. I am there for you and your babys journey.
You might be feeling…
Fearful of interventions, such as inductions or cesareans, that don’t feel right for you.
Concerned about how to advocate for yourself with busy medical staff.
Distrustful of the system, after hearing or experiencing previous birth trauma.
Overwhelmed by the decisions ahead and how to make sure your voice is heard.
Your partner would benefit from having another trusted person with you.
Doulas reduce risk of birth trauma
Doulas can prevent trauma by providing practical, emotional and nurturing support to the whole family during pregnancy, labour and after the birth of a baby. By offering information, and promoting self advocacy doulas give confidence which can be very empowering in helping people to expect safe and respectful maternity and postpartum care.
Perceptions and experiences of labour companionship: a qualitative evidence synthesis -Cochrane Review 2019
Second baby? This birth can be different
If you have given birth before but you’re seeking a different path— perhaps one where you’re heard, respected, and supported every step of the way. With eight years of experience as a hypnobirthing birth doula, trained to work through previous birth trauma with parents where requested, I am dedicated to providing support for your unique journey. I prioritise caring for you and understanding your vision for the birth of your baby, ensuring that we take the necessary time during our prenatal sessions together, to explore your preferences and work through any concerns. I am here to ensure you feel confident and prepared, together, for this incredible moment in your life.
Let’s start by having a simple, no-pressure conversation about how you can feel safe, prepared, and in control.
Alexandra mother of Simone born Oct 2024
“As soon as Claire joined us I felt so relaxed and at ease. I had coped really well up until that point but was starting to get in a rut and become tired. Claire helped our labour, applying massage, helping me keep calm and breathing, assisting me to try different positions, reminding me to drink/eat, and even took special photos and videos of the experience. There was a point when I thought the surges weren’t progressing and Claire was able to make a plan with the midwives to help my labour forwards, she did this by positioning me in a way which moved my labour on almost instantly!”
Birth Doula Package
What to Expect
Chemistry meeting in person or on zoom
Whattsapp Group on confirmation for ongoing support, resources and 1:1 guidance
Full birth prep pack including all resources and templates needed
Essential oil rollerball to bring calm for use during pregnancy
7 x Meditations specifically for pregnancy, labour & birth
4 or 8 hrs Antenatal preparation in person (including Hypnobirthing if 8 hours)
On call from 10 days before EDD until baby comes
Birth attendance until your baby is born
Breastfeeding guidance post birth as I am a Mindful Breastfeeding Practitioner
One, two hour postnatal visit within the first week post birth
Ongoing Whattsapp support until 6 weeks post birth
**Extra sessions or breastfeeding support postpartum can be booked as needed
More Details
Enquiry and Introduction
Creating a strong rapport with your doula is absolutely key. With this in mind, this is my process which allows for everyone to feel comfortable.
A face to face chemistry meeting together over a cuppa for one hour at your home (within 5 miles of N21) evenings or daytime to suit you both.
A follow up phone call to answer any other questions thereafter – 30 minutes if required.
Confirmation of support agreed on both sides - (a happy dance usually takes place) Contracts sent, signed and meeting dates agreed.
What to Expect Antenatally:
Whattsapp Support from confirmation of contract. This is for you both to utilise as much as you need to. *There is no limit to how often you contact me. Until the on call period, i will answer at my earliest convenience to put your mind at ease as quickly as possible.
4 or 8 hours of full antenatal planning and a private hypnobirthing course tailored to you if you choose the 8 hours, we will cover your needs and your own individual concerns. (You may have watched a pre-recorded hypnobirthing course but this will be a one size fits you only)
I will visit you at your home twice for 2 hours if you decide to go for the 4 hours prep or twice for 4 hours with the 8 hours prep.
Dates for the antenatal sessions are arranged to suit you and your partner which can be evenings, weekends or daytimes. *I am flexible as i know plans can change so as long as we communicate this , thats all fine.
Birth Pack Provided at First Antenatal:
A writing pad for each parent to make notes - i love a new pad and making lists!
Course file with hypnobirthing handouts
Birth plan & hospital bag templates. I will guide you with using these correctly.
Visualisations & Illustrations for use in pregnancy and labour.
Essential Oil x 1 which are safe for use during pregnancy, labour & birth.
Pregnancy meditations for use during pregnancy, labour and birth.
**Tens machine can be loaned for labour if required at our last session together.
How I Provide Birth Support:
I will go on call for you and you only 10 days before your due date until your baby is born. I am available just for you for any concerns and when your labour begins, you will have my complete attention.
When labour begins and you need me, we will discuss this during the antenatals, i will arrive at your home, when the time is right to support you both. (If labour goes very quickly, i will meet you at the hospital but this has only happened once!) My job is to bring you comfort so starting at your home is important to me.
I will transfer to hospital with you, if you are birthing in hospital and i will guide you as to when the time is right along with your feelings of course.
I am there to advocate your wishes with the midwifery team. I work really well with midwives with your birth wishes in the forefront of my mind, it is always friendly with your interests being my main focus.
I will assist in repositioning you during labour to benefit the birthing process and your comfort.
I offer emotional and practical support helping you to manage labour in the best way possible.
You can expect me to assist with any communication to your team, in a respectful and honest way.
You can expect physical support during labour, such as massage using oils if agreed in the antenatal sessions.
I am there to also support the birth partner, it can be scary to see the one you love in pain although we know it is something we want of course, i will normalise the experience they are witnessing and support them.
Trying not to overstay post birth but leaving when the time is right so you can bond together with your new family.
Continued whattsapp support while you are in hospital with any questions around feeding, recovery or healing.
A two hour visit in person to your home within 7 days post birth to discuss how you are feeling and help with breastfeeding advice and tips thereafter.
Postpartum Whattsapp group open for 6 weeks. To be honest, the rapport that builds between me and my clients, this group never closes and is often reopened with the birth of their second baby!
Additional Services
Overnight support offered 10pm-6am - £240 per night bookable post birth, no prebooking required.
Daytime support offered between 9-3pm £30 per hour (three hours max) per day.
Provided For You On The Birth Day
You have access to all my comfort measures within my Mary Poppins, birth bag to help benefit you during labour this includes the below:
Cooling towels for temperature control
Tens Machine with new packaged pads
Comb and Yulu Balls for active labour
Fully charged fan with various settings
Massage oils and carrier oils safe for use
Rebozo scarf for use by me for repositioning
Speaker for music if needed
Diffuser for use in the birth room
Breastfeeding materials right after birth
Does this sound like the support you need?
John Murray - Father to Louie
“I cannot recommend Claire highly enough. She is an exceptional doula, a true professional, and a wonderful person. If you're considering a doula for your birth experience, look no further. Claire is the one you want by your side. Our family will forever be grateful for her support!’’
Options and Payment Plans
Option 1
4 hours antenatal sessions with me + full doula package
Option 2
8 hour antenatal sessions with me + full doula package (incl. hypnobirthing for each couple)
Payment Plans
50% deposit on confirmation of your contract.
50% remaining fee due at 37 weeks.
*Additionally, check if your health insurance covers birth doula support. Providers such as Carrot cover doula support.
**Please contact me about my fees and to discuss payments, you can opt for more payment installments if that is more manageable for you.
📩 Book a free chat below today and take the first step toward the birth you deserve.
Lette Watson - Mother to Robyn
“At the intense times, Claire was there to wipe away my tears and reassure me. The massage, pressure and emotional support meant I felt more in control. Using the specific breathing Claire had taught me, i felt strong and knew i was going to meet my baby soon!’’
Lette gave birth to beautiful baby Robyn at home in a birth pool supported by me, her partner, Pete and the local home birth team from North Middlesex. It was an honour to be with them throughout pregnancy, birth and to be a small but important part of their journey to being a family of four.
You can read Lette’s birth story here on the blog.
Training & Qualifications
Hypnobirthing Practioner with the RCM 2016
The Hypnobirthing Institute Accreditation 2016
Further Hypnobirthing Teacher Training 2017
Rebozo for Breech Presentation 2017
Rebozo for Use During Labour & Birth 2017
Birth & Postnatal Doula Training 2019
Birth Trauma Three Step Rewind 2019
Further Hypnobirthing Teacher Training 2021
Mindful Breastfeeding Practitioner 2022
The benefits of continuous support during labour and birth and the support of birth partners were highlighted in an updated 2019 Cochrane review, which analysed data from 26 studies across 17 countries involving more than 15,000 women. The outcomes below were observed for parents who were given continuous support from a doula or a second close labour companion.
● More likely to have a vaginal birth (without the need for caesarean, forceps or vacuum extraction)
● Less likely to use pain medications
● More likely to have shorter labours
● More likely to be satisfied with their birth and postnatal experience
● The babies may be less likely to have low five-minute Apgar scores, which assess babies’ health and well-being at birth and shortly afterward
● Increased equity directly through improved women’s empowerment and provision of culturally responsive care, and indirectly by reducing the over-medicalisation of childbirth
● Increased likelihood of initiating and establishing breastfeeding
A difficult labour, lack of support, an unplanned caesarean section or emergency treatment for the mother/birth parent or baby can all contribute to the risk of experiencing trauma. Doula support can therefore reduce the risk of experiencing perinatal trauma.