It's hard to explain exactly what my support will look like as it will unfold in response to your needs - it's unique to everyone I work with. It will likely involve some emotional and practical support (listening can never be underestimated, nor can someone making you a snack!), as well as birth planning and sharing all my birthy knowledge. If you'd like to find out more about exactly what it's like having me as a doula, please get in touch and I can provide more detailed information or arrange a chat over a cuppa.
I offer an initial hour meet free of charge - this gives you an opportunity to find out if we click, to share your story with me, and to ask any questions you need to decide how to move forward. Based in Ringwood, I cover most of Dorset and Hampshire, including Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch, Dorchester, the New Forest, Salisbury, and Southampton.
This is one of the most special and sacred times of life and you need a doula you feel utterly comfortable with.
You can find out more about my doula offerings below - if you can't find what you need, please get in touch!
Please also let me know if price is a barrier as I can offer very flexible payment plans. It’s always worth having a conversation!
Offerings
All of my offerings include access to resources and hypnobirthing tracks, borrowing books, and continuous support by message.
Feather
£1500
Two antenatal visits
Birth support
Two postpartum visits
This offering is a lighter version of my continuum one, but still provides bundles of support. The number of visits is reduced, but you still get amazing continuity with visits before and after your baby makes their arrival to ensure you feel supported and are settling into your new rhythm.
Continuum
£1850
Five antenatal visits
Birth support
Five postpartum visits
This offering is born out of my training as a continuum doula and gives comprehensive support throughout your whole journey. Many people pay for birth and postpartum support separately, but in my experience having continuity all the way through is something magical.
The Care Share
£1600
Three antenatal visits
Birth support
Two postpartum visits
Two doulas!
Two doulas for the price of one! This offering is ideal if you want a bit more input, or vibe with two doulas and can’t pick. Your visits and the on call period will be split between me and your other doula, who would be of the Birth Free Collective doulas.
Double doula
£2000
Two antenatal visits
Birth support
Two postpartum visits
Two doulas!
Double up your doula! Two Birth Free Collective doulas alongside you every step of the way. Both me and your other chosen doula will be with you at your visits and birth, working together to provide seamless support. Please note that this offering is only suitable if you are birthing outside of hospital, or if you have no other birth partners, due to birth partner limits in hospitals.
Complete continuity
£5000
Midwife and doula support from booking through to a month postpartum
This offering is perfect for you if you want independent midwifery care in the comfort of your own home during pregnancy and after your baby arrives, but either wish to birth in hospital, freebirth, or can’t afford independent labour care at home.
Your midwifery care before and after your babe’s arrival, will be with either Erika or Rachel from Wessex Independent Midwives, and your doula support either side and also during labour will be with me.
I work closely with Erika and Rachel and we share a deep belief in birth and in women. Dedicated to holding families through this most tender of times, we form a supportive team around you to make sure you feel completely held and nourished.
This offering includes:
All routine midwifery appointments throughout pregnancy. This includes blood tests and any scan or consultant referrals.
Continuous WhatsApp and phone support from your midwife and your doula.
Ad hoc midwifery support in pregnancy - if anything unexpected arises you will have support on hand.
Birth pool hire
One joint antenatal session with your team*
One birth planning session with Lucy.
A pregnancy massage.
Doula support throughout labour, for as long as you need it.
Notification of birth if freebirthing.
All postnatal midwifery appointments as needed up to a month postpartum, including screening. This may include gentle touch such as a shoulder or foot massage.
Two nourishing postnatal doula visits
*our joint visit can be swapped for a mother blessing which we can host in your home with a circle of your closest friends.
FAQs
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Oof this is a hard one as doulas get the absolute joy of showing up authentically and so every doula is different. For me a doula is someone who has your back and holds you as the authority on your body, birth and baby. Someone who understands birth and postpartum and what support may be needed. Someone trauma informed and able to advocate for you. You know when your friends say "is there anything I can do to help?" and you say no because it feels awkward saying "actually yes, the washing pile is horrific and I'm panicking" - well you can say yes to your doula because they are literally there to support you (and you are paying them!). Doulas are great sounding boards for the many decisions you need to make before, during and after birth and can help you unpick what you want and are comfortable with, without an agenda. They are also excellent supports for other birth and/or life partners. While any other partners may be totally fabulous supports, the likelihood is their experience of birth is limited and having someone on the team who they can also look to for support and reassurance (and can tag team on passing water and rubbing backs in labour) can be invaluable. So a doula is many things really - a counsellor, advocate, birth educator, cook, friend, woman in your community, cleaner, play buddy for older children and probably a load of other things too!
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Yes! There is evidence that shows having a doula:
reduces the length of labour
reduces the rate of induction of labour
reduces the risk of caesarean or instrumental birth
reduces the need for painkillers and epidurals
reduces depressive symptoms
increases satisfaction with the birth experience
increases the likelihood of initiating breastfeeding and establishing it
If you're a lover of evidence and research, you can read more about the evidence for having a doula here.
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Midwives provide medical care, as a doula, I don't. That's the main one! I work for you and have no guidelines, policies, or procedures I'm obligated to follow - you and your decisions are sovereign.
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Ah yes, great question. The cost factors in lots, including visits, which are usually two hours each, being on call 24/7 for potentially a month, being at your birth for as many hours as needed, the usual self employment overheads, travel, and an unlimited amount of time messaging, video calling, voice noting and providing all the support needed. I quite literally got out my calculator and did all the maths (and I hate maths) and the price is what I need to charge to make it viable for me to do this work...and I really believe in this work.
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I offer a 5% discount for referral from a previous client.
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Only you know what is right for you. The Continuum offeringis my original one and is designed to build relationship and give excellent continuity. People who have booked being unsure about the number of postpartum visits have quickly become converts, as having someone bringing you soup, giving you a foot rub, and being an emotional sounding board, always goes down well!
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I generally cover up to an hour from my home in Ringwood. I will consider travelling further afield, but this does add to the price as I charge 45p a mile for distances over 15 miles from my home.
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Nope. Wherever you choose to birth is where I'll be!
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If I have two clients at the same time I will make you aware at booking and ensure there is a back-up doula you are happy with lined up. Things do always seem to work out and I have never needed to use a back-up, but I always make sure all bases are covered!