Birth & Postnatal Doula support in Richmond, Kingston, Kew & South West London
Pregnancy, birth and early motherhood are precious,
one-of-a-kind times in your life,
which have a long-lasting impact on you and how you feel about your baby, your body, parenting as your whole self.
Magical yet vulnerable times during which you deserve to be
well informed, deeply supported (physically and emotionally) and empowered, so that these experiences can be
as gentle & positive for you as can be.
Whether you are looking for birth or postpartum support, my endeavour as a doula is to nurture, guide and support you physically, emotionally and practically, in a mindful, non-judgemental and individualised way, to help you navigate this pivotal time in your life, and every birthing and parenting choice that you make with more confidence, ease, and trust in yourself and your baby.
Just as it should be.
A native French speaker, I am also able to support you in French, and help you understand and navigate the UK maternity system and postpartum care (which can be so different from France!).
Get in touch to arrange an initial free 30mn call/meet-up
to learn more about how I could support you.
My journey & approach to doula care
It’s through my own experience of becoming a mother that I came to work in the perinatal field, first as a baby massage and yoga teacher & trainer, then as a doula.
There is not a day I don’t regret not having a doula to support me for my first very difficult birth, and my crash-landing into motherhood that followed. I went on to experience a magical second birth and much softer, joyful postpartum, which really showed me that these important thresholds can be beautiful and much easier with the right understanding, preparation and support in place.
I believe:
in fully individualised care: no two people, pregnancies, births, babies are the same. As your doula, my number one priority is to get to know you and understand your particular needs, wishes, concerns and questions, to tailor your preparation, and my support, to your own individual circumstances and needs.
in the importance of understanding & supporting birth & postpartum physiology (how your body and your baby ‘work’, during and after birth), however you’re planning or happen to give birth (whether vaginally or by caesarean birth), to help you navigate your pregnancy care, birth options, postpartum period and early parenting with more awareness, calm and confidence.
in the importance of preparing and looking after both your body and your mindset: I integrate my experience and approach in perinatal yoga & movement, birth biomechanics, hypnobirthing, mindfulness, and nurturing techniques for baby (baby massage, developmental movement, therapeutic holds) in all of my doula work. Depending on your individual circumstances and needs, this might include exploring: breathing techniques, deep relaxation, mindfulness practices, pelvis mobilisation, pelvic floor awareness/work, release techniques, biomechanics for birth, postpartum recovery practices, baby massage, baby holds and comforting practices, and more!
that how you came into this pregnancy matters: and will always affect to some degree your pregnancy, birth and postpartum experience. I have experience supporting women & families after a long conception journeys, including loss and IVF, and can share extra tools to support you.
I support all types of births, whether you are hoping to birth at home, in a birth centre or at hospital, vaginally or by elective caesarean birth, with my sole agenda being to help you feel safe, informed, supported and respected in your choices throughout.
I currently offer support as a mentored doula with DoulaUK and cover areas of South West London and parts of Surrey
(about 8 miles radius from Ham), including supporting families under the care of Kingston Hospital, West Middlesex, Chelsea & Westminster, Queen Charlotte, St George’s, St Mary’s.
Research shows that having the continuous support of a doula:
increases the likehood of a spontaneous physiological birth
lowers the rate of medical intervention
reduces the length of labour
lowers the chance of having an unplanned caesarean
increases the likelihood of a positive birth experience and transition into motherhood
“Amelie’s ability to support us has been nothing short of amazing. When we navigated a change of plans in our birth, she helped us adapt and supported me to trust my instincts whilst also remembering my birth preferences. She made me felt held, even when I was ambivalent about certain decisions, helping me never feeling rushed or pressured. She was upbeat and positive, fierce enough to protect our birth space without causing friction with birth care staff. She has lots of knowledge and deep empathy, and proved to be a strong emotional pillar throughout birth & my early postpartum. I couldn’t be more grateful!”
— Charlie
Support packages
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Birth support
2 antenatal sessions to get to know you, your situation and wishes, debriefing potential previous birth(s), exploring birth preferences and planning, physiology of birth, body preparation (biomechanics) and practical birth support techniques (see birth skills below)
1 (antenatal) postpartum expectations & planning session
On-call availability from 38 weeks until you give birth
Attendance at your birth until 2 hours after birth
1 postpartum visit at your home (usually in the first 10 days) to help you settle in your new life with your baby
Email/text/ phone support from booking time until 4 weeks postpartum
Access to my extensive Pregnancy Yoga online library and pregnancy & birth recorded resources (including pelvic floor prep, guided relaxations, and more) to complement your preparation in your time
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Additional antenatal and/or postpartum sessions can be booked at an additional cost
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Birth & Postpartum
2 antenatal sessions to get to know you, your situation and wishes, debriefing potential previous birth(s), exploring birth preferences and planning, physiology of birth, body preparation (biomechanics) and practical birth support techniques (see birth skills below)
1 postpartum expectations & planning session
On-call availability from 38 weeks until you give birth
Attendance at your birth until 2 hours after birth
1 postpartum visit at your home (usually in the first 10 days) to help you settle in your new life with your baby
15 hours additional postpartum support (to be used in 3 or 4-hour increments, at your discretion)
Email/text/ phone support from booking time until the end of your postpartum support period
Access to my extensive Pregnancy Yoga online library and pregnancy & birth recorded resources (including pelvic floor prep, guided relaxations, and more) to complement your preparation in your time
Access to my Postpartum Recovery & Postnatal Yoga online resource library to support your recovery
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Additional antenatal and/or postpartum sessions can be booked at an additional cost
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Postpartum support
Dedicated to helping you feel nurtured physically, emotionally and practically, and gently grow more confident with your baby and as a mother/parent in this tender part of your life.
15 hours postpartum support & recovery once your baby has arrived (to be used in 3 or 4-hour increments, at your discretion)
Email/text support through your support period
Access to my Postnatal Recovery online library
More support hours can be booked as/when needed.
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If you haven’t had your baby yet, you might be interested in my postpartum expectations & planning workshop (taken antenatally) to help you better understand & prepare for this tender period (see below)
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* I am currently offering reduced rates on my birth support packages whilst in my Doula UK mentorship period.
Displayed rates are current rates applicable and will increase from January 2025.
Other offerings & support
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Practical birth skills workshop
A 2.5hrs workshop exploring key need-to-know about birth physiology, and plenty of practical body & mind tools, techniques and skills to help you navigate and facilitate labour & birth with more ease and confidence.
We cover movement, positioning, breathing, release techniques, visualisations and partner support (massage, holds, etc).
We will have a short call beforehand so I can tailor the workshop to your situation and needs/wishes (for example, planning to have an epidural, an induction, birthing at home, etc).Delivered in-person at home or online via Zoom
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Postpartum Expectations & Planning workshop
A 2-hour antenatal workshop designed to help you understand what to expect from the postpartum period (from your body, your baby, your daily life, relationships, and more), and prepare for a gentler, more supported 4th trimester and transition into early motherhood/parenting.
You will receive a journal-style handbook and supportive resources to use both before and once your baby has arrived.
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'Empower' hour(s) - Doula in your pocket
Ad hoc virtual support to address any questions/worries on your mind, either antenatally or postnatally: birth planning, navigating birth choices or ‘curve balls’, help navigating the maternity system (getting individualised care), birth education, birth/relaxation and/or recovery tools, baby care. Literally anything you need to talk through.
One hour with me to help you feel supported and empowered
(via Zoom or phone, or in-person if local to me)
More words from First to Fourth mums
“Amelie’s birth skills workshop was brilliant, and just what I was looking for! It was so positive and empowering; and felt like the missing piece of our birth preparation. We feel so much more prepared now.”
— Charlotte
“I recently had my postnatal session with Amelie and she really made me feel so encouraged in my new role as a mother, providing great advice, and support for postnatal recovery. I can’t wait to join her mum & baby yoga classes in a few weeks’ time. ”
— Sarah
More about birth support…
Antenatally, we will have at least 2 sessions together to discuss and explore any of the below depending on your needs & wishes:
birth choices & preferences: helping you understand your birth options, exploring together your birth preferences on various aspects of birth, as well as making plans for alternative scenarios, so that you can remain at the centre of your care and birth experience however things unfold
debriefing potential previous birth(s) and exploring other experiences and any beliefs, fears and worries you’re bringing into this birth (we all do!)
helping you navigate your pregnancy care, the maternity system and potential worries and hurdles, and their potential implications for your birth plans, using evidence-based information and sign-posting further support as required
birth education essentials and birth skills (for all types of birth): helping you understand how your body / physiological birth works and how best to support it, and/or what a caesarean birth might unfold and be approached in a gentle way. Practising a variety of tools & techniques and comfort measures that you, your birth partner and I/we might use to support you during birth, including movement, breathing, tissue release, relaxation and mindfulness techniques, massage, visualisations, affirmations, and more.
learning about & planning for postpartum : helping you understand what to expect from your newborn baby, body and life in the early days and weeks after birth, and making plans to ease your transition into motherhood (or into life as as growing family) and promote healing and bonding.
During and straight after birth: I will be on call for you from 38 weeks up until 42 weeks/the birth of your baby, and ready to come to you, day or night, whenever you need me to come support your labour & birth. I will also be available via text or phone throughout this period to help you navigate any questions or worries, and if you wonder whether this is ‘the real thing’ or not!
I will remain with you throughout the birth, until the first couple of hours after your baby is born (the golden hour). I will be as hands-on or hands-off as you want me to be, protecting your space, helping you engage with your care providers, helping or tagging team with your birthing partner, whatever support is required.
More about postnatal support…
My postnatal support is all about helping you feel nurtured physically, emotionally and practically, and gently grow more confident with your baby and as a mother in this tender part of your life. It’s all about ‘mothering the mother’.
My support integrates my core skills in yoga and therapeutic movement for postpartum recovery and pelvic health, newborn observation, baby massage and nurturing techniques. It ideally starts/takes place within the first 6 to 12 weeks after birth, although support can last as long as you require.
Support will always be personalised and can include:
supporting your physical recovery through simple but effective yoga therapy for postpartum recovery exercises, gentle stretches and and guided rest / relaxation, and other practical tips & tools
hands-on support and advice on looking after and understanding your baby including ways to hold, settle, bathe, wind, relieve digestive discomforts, help you understand your new baby better, reading and following their cues, and generally helping with any questions related to your baby and your comfort
looking after your baby to provide a rest period for you (either at home, or taking baby for a walk), so you can enjoy a long shower or bath, get some fresh air or have a long nap
cooking you nourishing, restorative meals and snacks
debriefing your birth and offering a listening ear as you navigate the highs and lows of new motherhood and its many practical and emotional demands
check how feeding is going, and support with breast or bottle feeding, signposting you to further support if necessary
Helping with light chores around the house or errands, to help you focus on you and your baby.
Please note I am also not currently able to offer (over)night support.
Get in touch
To arrange for a free 30min connection call or meeting in person, please do drop me a note via the button below.
It would be lovely to chat