Hello!
I'm Sam, The South Downs Doula.
I am based on the edge of the South Downs National Park, on the border of West Sussex and Hampshire, in close proximity to both the coast and the rolling hills of this beautiful and unique part of the country. I can offer hypnobirthing as part of my birth package, or separately in group or private sessions. Having breastfed both of my babies, I am very experienced and supportive of breastfeeding and can assist with all aspects of feeding and pumping. I am a big fan of baby-wearing and can support and assist in this as well. I have also completed a course in Biomechanics for Birth.
I have been a full-time parent since 2018.
I have been a full-time parent to two small children since my first baby was born in August 2018. My second baby was born in October 2020. Both of my children were born in St Richards hospital in Chichester. I also have experience with Gestational Diabetes, having been diagnosed in both of my pregnancies, and am happy to support any fellow GD mums out there with nutrition and GD management.
Everyone Deserves a Positive Start
Having been surrounded by stories of birth and beyond for the last 5 years, it became apparent to me that plenty of people were not having the positive experience they'd been taught to expect, and that a big reason for that was a lack of support. I began wondering what was needed to change that and I gradually came to the conclusion that doulas were the answer!
I am a certified Birth and Postnatal Doula.
I have completed the Doula Preparatory course at the Birth Bliss Doula Academy with founder Kicki Hansard and am enrolled in the Birth Bliss accreditation program. The world of pregnancy, birth and motherhood remains a source of great passion and interest to me and it is my fervent belief that everyone deserves to be heard, held and supported during this transformative period of their lives.
Inspiration
Around a year ago, I was visiting my cousin when she decided to share the story of her first birth with me. She and her partner had decided that she would return to her childhood home for a few nights after having the baby. She spoke about how she felt bewildered and exhausted when she arrived home from the hospital. She described how her mother and older sister had gently bathed her and washed her hair, while her twin sister sat in the bathroom with them holding the baby close by. They dressed her in clean comfy pyjamas and tucked her and her baby into a freshly made bed. They made her nourishing food and endless cups of tea and were on-hand to help with every feed, her mother and older sister being very experienced with breastfeeding. The first night of having the baby at home, her mother woke and went to assist each and every time he needed to feed, changing his nappy and helping to get him latched and making sure the new mum was comfortable and had water and some company. I listened to this story of love, tenderness, care and kindness with a lump in my throat and an idea forming in my head:
Every new mother needs to feel this supported.
Every new parent deserves to be understood, heard and respected, as well as gently cared for with kindness, patience and encouragement. I feel passionately that I want to encapsulate this feeling for each new mum while responding to the unique and individual needs of her and her family.
My goal is to help set you on the path to parenthood full of confidence, joy and lots of hot tea!
