How a doula can support you throughout your birth journey and how to find the right doula for you.

I wrote this for Juno Magazine a few years ago. It is still relevant when you are thinking about Doula care and how you will know a Doula is right for you. This is an abridged version of the original article. doula doulas (plural noun) ‘a woman who gives support, help, and advice to another woman during pregnancy and during and after the birth’ Pregnancy, labour and birth. Saying, hearing and feeling these words can provoke powerful emotions of absolute joy or total fear. At any one moment in time on the journey to birth and new life it is ok to faulter, to stop, to need and to search for the link that ensures your birth is beautiful and empowering. That link could be your doula. There are so very many questions in pregnancy that could lead to considering doula support, not least the thought of care and companionship for your birth partner. Knowing you could have a knowledgeable, loving, calming doula at your side may be all you need to put any niggling doubts you have that on ‘your day’ choices and plans will go awry, or that you may feel overwhelmed and overruled.

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I've been a bit quiet for the past months. Covid, elbow fracture and house move. However, I'm/we're back. Working in partnership with Doula and Birth Practitioner Lynne Bell these are our plans. Please share to your friends with bumps or new babies

Introducing BIRTHTACTICS
with Gabby M - Birth and Postpartum Doula, Birth and Beyond Practitioner and Lynne Bell, Therapist and Doula - Pregnancy and Birth Support 

We are experienced Birth Practioners offering courses, workshops and retreats in beautiful locations throughout Northamptonshire and the surrounding Counties

ANTENATAL COURSES
Bring your lovely baby bump and birth partner to our cheerful, informative Antenatal Courses. Held locally, bi-monthly on Saturdays over 2 consecutive weekends. Or book a 1:1 session in your own home

ANTENATAL RETREATS (new in 2022)
To be held in some of the counties' beautiful hotels. Arrive on Friday night for a shared meal with the group. Saturday will be filled with all things pregnancy and birth along with spa treatments and restful relaxation sessions. Each venue offers a different experience and the opportunity to stay an extra night for the full weekend away experience

4th TRIMESTER GET TOGETHERS
Come along to our 4 week sessions to share, discuss and discover all things useful in the first weeks of your new parenting journey.
Sessions include baby massage, sleep and feeding support and an opportunity to talk openly about your parenting choices and decisions whilst enjoying delicious, healthy refreshments.

In SMALL GROUPS or 1:1 SESSIONS we also offer:

• Baby massage
• Post birth listening circles
• Birth Trauma rewind
• Mindful Breastfeeding Antenatal Courses 
• Hypnobirthing courses
• Mother and baby stretch and relax
• Let's Talk About -  Why informed Grandparents Matter
• Let's Talk About - Your baby's sleep
• Let's Talk About - A second baby, How do you feel?

From Thursday, 1st July, 2021 I have 'officially' teamed up with Lynne Bell, fellow Doula, Therapist and Birth Practitioner to offer Birthtactics Antenatal and Postnatal Courses in two fabulous local venues. Our courses, workshops and retreats will be promoted under our joint birth and postnatal support collaboration known as Birthtactics..... have a look at the Courses, Workshops and Retreat page to see where we will be and what we will be offering throughout the 2021/2022 Autumn and Winter

I am excited to be able to confirm I will be running Postnatal Support sessions with fellow Birth Practitioner Lynne Bell from this beautiful venue. The first 4 week course will be open for booking from 1st July. Watch out for links to the booking page. These short courses will be repeated regularly and will form part of Ironstone's regular timetable