About Me:
I am Amber, the eldest of four children and now with four children of my own! Pregnancy, birth and babies have always been a big part of my life, Each of my pregnancies and births was unique and special in its own right, but there were times where I had so many questions or doubted myself, and I would have dearly loved the unwavering support that a Doula can offer. I knew that this was a role I would love to fulfill for other families, and that to some extent, I had already been doing. And so when my youngest daughter was old enough for me to theoretically leave her overnight, I began to look in to training to become a registered Doula.
I have been enthralled, fascinated and amazed by pregnancy and birth for as long as I can remember. I believe passionately in a persons right to give birth wherever and however they choose and it is my role as a Doula that enables me to support you in achieving this. I feel strongly that people deserve continuity of care, an impartial advocate and access to all the information and choices relevant to them.
I enjoy supporting all families and their pregnancies, but as 3 of my 4 pregnancies were breech babies, I have a particular interest and desire to support those experiencing the same. I was also able to have a VBA3C (vaginal birth after a caesarean) and again, love working with people who want to explore this option.
I have experience of breech birth, caesarean birth, VBAC, hospital birth, MLU and home birth.
I completed my training in 2016 and have been fortunate to build regularly on my Doula experience since then. I only ever take on one birth client at a time and don’t like to overlap – this is because I feel a large part of why people look to work with a Doula is so they have the continuity that is so often lacking in the rest of their care. There are no guarantees in life, but as much as I can, by limiting my on call period and commitment to only one family at a time – I do my best to ensure that I can be there with them throughout their labour and birth. (It’s also way less stressful for me!)
I am a trained Breastfeeding Peer Supporter, having undertaken training at the local Hospital and through the NCT. I am also trained in the 3 step Rewind technique – a process which helps those who experience feelings of fear or trauma to restructure the memory so that it no longer causes them distress. I am a recognised Birth and Postnatal Doula with Doula UK, and adhere to their principles of best practice and confidentiality and I now mentor newly trained Doulas within the organisation. I now regularly facilitate a workshop on a local Doula training course on supporting parent voices, birth rights and navigating the NHS.
Training courses completed include;
Conscious Birthing Doula Training
Homeopathy for Labour and Birth
Reiki for Gatekeepers
Transforming Fear
NCT sling library volunteer
Babycafe volunteer
3 Step Rewind Technique
Breastfeeding Peer Supporter
Human rights in Maternity Care – Birthrights
The Queer Birth Club LGBTQ+ Competency Workshop
Biomechanics for Birth
Birth Emergencies for Birth workers
SANDS Bereavement care training – supporting families through pregnancy loss