If you hire a Doula what do you expect? what will she do and when? This depends on your Doula and the package you choose. Many Doulas will build a package for you, this not only gives you a personal service, this is important as it enables you to have the support you need at a time that is truely unique and personal to you but it also means that you get great value for money (and we all like the sound of that dont we ) I believe that all women deserve support and information to enable them to get the best possible experiance from her pregnancy and birth. As a member of Doula uk I have access to a Hardship Fund to help with …

What can a birth doula do for you?
Through face-to-face discussions, a doula will support you in making a birth plan so that you can make clear decisions about how you would like your labour and delivery to happen, she will show you breathing and relaxation exercises for both parents. It is important for the parent(s) and the doula to meet a few times before the birth to establish a rapport. She will be present during the labour and birth, support the parents during the more intense part of the labour and care for all 3 immediately after the birth. She will come and visit the new family at least once after the birth. It is important to understand three key differences between a midwife and …

I became a Doula because I really believe that Doula’s can make a difference, giving women (and their partners) support and information to better their experience of pregnancy, labour and those early days at home. Every women should be able to access all the support and information she feels she needs, whether this be regarding writing birth plans, breastfeeding support, baby care (bathing, nappies etc) choice regarding pain relief, where to give birth or anything else she needs.
Why do people have a Doula? Well, many people give their reason as needing some extra support, often in a way a partner or relative can not give, someone who is impartial an who is there for the mother during labour, who isn’t concerned about what else going …

I thought I would take this opportunity to tell you all a little more about the Doula Training I have attended and future training I am hoping to attend.
My training was held in Ely, Cambs and was held by Nurturing Birth. It was a three day course, and involved a pre and post course module to complete.  I am now going forward to become a recognized Doula with Doula UK, this involves being under the ‘wing’ of an assesor/mentor while you compleate four births and four postnatal jobs – all of which you reflect on and ‘write up’ – the clients also feedback on thier experience.
We went through birth physiology, interventions, signs and stages of labour, breast and bottle feeding, types of parenting (eg attachment …

Hello, let me start by introducing myself – I am a 24yr old married (To Adam) mother of two (Jack – 4, Eleanor – 10 months (see picture below) and I have recently compleated a Birth and Postnatal Doula Course. This blog is so you can join me on my journey through training, my first clients and beyond. I’ll also be talking about what Doula’s do and dont do, why many people choose to have a Doula and much more.

I am also a Breastfeeding Peer Support Mentor for NHS Peterborough, and Chair for the Maternity Services Liason Committee, I am currently undergoing La Leche League Accreditation.

So its all busy this end but  I really appriciate feedback, comments and questions and will be answered as quickly as I can.
Sj xx

Homebirth ~ Midwives views
Survey Compiled – December 2007
If you are considering a homebirth or maybe you are simply curious what the opinions of midwives is regarding this matter then we hope this gives you some insight. We asked Midwives from all over the UK a few questions that parents often wonder about…..
If you wish to take part in the Parents on Homebirth section then please email us for a form.
If you are wondering WHY we asked midwives these questions it is because in our experience these are the things that parents wanting to birth at home worry about. A lot of women feel they would like an unassisted homebirth because they feel the MW may interfere too much, well we can see from all …

For a full list of birth stories visit the forum Birth Story Section below is a selection of the most read!
Here is Orla’s birth story by Hazel [Crafty n Clothy] some of you may have been following her Pregnancy Diary of a WAHM in the magazine!
Contractions started at 9pm on Friday 7th August. They were just like backache and I wasn’t really sure they were contractions at first. I realised they were coming every 10 minutes so called Michelle to let her know and Alan started filling the pool (but he made it too cool). A bit later I went to the loo but going up the stairs made me have two stronger contractions very close together. Having a bit of a panic that it …

HcG levels
How to test for pregnancy.
When a women becomes pregnant  her body starts to produce a hormone called HcG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) this hormone is what is detected in both urine and blood based tests to give a positive pregnancy result. What are HcG Levels ?
HcG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) is a hormone that is produced by the embryo when its starts to implant itself into the uterine lining (implantation) and begins to grow. This occurs approximately 6-10 days after conception. As it grows, the amount of HcG increases and doubles about every three days. The purpose of HcG is to keep the estrogen and progesterone levels at their appropriate levels until the placenta has developed enough to take this function over. HcG levels will reach …

Welcome to Mama Pack ® website.
If you have been left feeling a bit deflated after receiving your not so fantastic regular natal pack then you have probably been directed to this website!
Mama Packs are the United Kingdoms ONLY ethically influenced, trade marked Mum & Baby sample pack. A pack you wont find nasty chemicals in, a pack you will love receiving!
Have a look above in the ‘get a pack’ section to find your nearest stockist, try the forum also as there are often packs randomly handed out on there!
Are you expecting a baby? Already have children? Well regardless of your age or sex if you have or are about to be a parent you are welcome on our forum to talk to other parents & …

Use this section of the website to find your nearest birth provider for midwifery and more by entering your town or post code below ..Please mention MAMA PACKS when contacting the providers below…. Some give discounts but all of them would like to know how you found them!
If you wish to be listed here for free then please contact us with details…If you would like details on distributing Mama Packs please read this.

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Address 

–Search By City–Brighton, SussexColchester, EssexExning, SuffolkHelston, CornwallLondon, LondonLothian, ScotlandMatlock, DerbyshireNutley, East SussexRedruth, CornwallRowden Hill, ChippenhamRugby, WarwickshireSefton Park, LiverpoolSheffield, South YorkshireSouthend-on-Sea, …