I have been a practicing birth and postnatal doula since completing my doula training with Birthing Wisdom in 2009. I cover Totnes and South Devon, including Torbay, Exeter and Plymouth.I love the process of getting to know each woman/family, tailoring my support to fit individual needs and circumstances, working together with the aim of enabling the mother and baby to experience an engaged and satisfying birth.  It feels such a privilege to be invited to companion a woman/family through the enormous transformation of pregnancy and birth. I also co-facilitate the Radiant Mama group near Totnes and offer breastfeeding support.

I have always been passionate about Birth and the postnatal period but it wasn’t until I gave birth myself that I truly felt the calling to train and work with women at this time.I completed my Birth and postnatal doula training with Olivia in 2018.I have also recently finished the breastfeeding peer support program. I believe that with the right support more women will be able to settle into breastfeeding and be able to enjoy it.I have been a qualified Remedial and Sports masseuse for 6 years and in the last year completed the pregnancy module.For the past year and a half I have been volunteering for radiant mama in Dartington. It has been a very nourishing experience for me.I love the connections that are made and fortified during this work. And there is nothing more gratifying that watching families flourish together. At present I am focusing on postnatal support and running an online mothers group rather than working with birth.

​

I attended my first birth in my late teens but didn‘t train as a doula until 2000. Shortly after, I qualified as a hypnobirthing practitioner and I have been training in and teaching all aspects of birth work ever since. Now, in my 60's I draw from my large basket of skills and knowledge whenever I need to but the main focus of my work as a doula is to create a calm and connected space where labour can progress as it needs to and the new soul can be welcomed in joy. Much preparation is done together before the birth  (inc.Hypnobirthing), so that on the day we can meet the experience of Birth with presence, connection and a deep gratefulness for being part of the miracle of birth.

One of the things I love about working with birth and people in preparation for birthing, is that it is a rare space and time where honesty rises and demands voice. The sheer biological nature of growing a baby and birthing it- and oneself as a mother, a couple into parents- is that it invites a steady standing with reality. A coming to terms with who one is in that moment. From that place there can be an unfolding and a discovery of what would best meet ones needs, in this deeply personal adventure. From there, the shape of my job emerges.I offer ante natal, birth and postnatal support. I'm also very happy to do birth prep sessions with people who don't want a doula.I was lucky enough to live near to Olivia Seck and therefore be able to train under her in Birthing Wisdom...I enjoy ongoing contact with her and through her with Radiant Mama, where I offer massage.

Having birthed three children and experienced different levels of support, I was inspired to train as a postnatal doula and educator in order to learn how to support families during this time of transition. I believe that preparing for this time can enable you to feel empowered to make conscious choices and support your rest, recovery, bonding and breastfeeding. All of which, will support you as a mother (and as a family) to navigate your parenting journey feeling resourced and connected to yourself and those you love.

I offer group workshops and individual sessions during pregnancy. I also offer postnatal follow-up visits (or sessions on zoom) and support you in your home as a postnatal doula. I also offer consultations as a holistic sleep coach, herbalist and offer massage to pregnant women and mothers, which can be included in postnatal visits.

Family life - especially with young children - is a topic very close to my heart. I have raised six children and until recently worked at the South Devon Steiner school in the Early Years department where, amongst other roles, I led Parent and Baby groups.

I am also a qualified Massage Therapist and have just completed my counselling course level 4 at Heartwood College in Dartington.

I bring my wealth of personal and professional experience to my new role as a trainee counsellor for Radiant Mama.

​

All counselling sessions are offered on a donation basis.

Being part of Radiant Mama was a lifeline for me when becoming a mum with both of my boys. I really appreciated the care, love and guidance given to me and us as a group, within a nurturing environment.

Having recently completed a mentoring program and having more space now the boys are a bit older, I would like to offer a safe, supportive space to women to be heard and to get more in touch with their natural ability to be the mum their baby needs.

I am a craniosacral practitioner and I use this very gentle and sensitive form of touch in my bodywork. My intention with this work is to bring the light of presence to those places that are still hidden within, which are stuck and which are causing physical or emotional symptoms. I am interested in how our bodies hold on to trauma, and how they also know how to let go of it, when the conditions are right.Initially I trained as a medical doctor and worked in Torbay Hospital, in the Intensive Care Unit. After that I trained as a craniosacral practitioner at Karuna Institute, Dartmoor. That was 10 years ago. I now have a practice in Dartington where I offer sessions to Women, Pregnant Mothers and Mums & Babies.

As part of the Radiant Mamas team, I offer pregnancy and postnatal/mama & baby yoga to support women through their journey into motherhood. Having attended a birth at the age of six and quite a few since then, I have always been fascinated with pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period. My own child was born when I was nineteen and I became fully engaged  with the whole experience, reading, learning, intuiting through the pregnancy, birth and raising my child. Since that time I have learned how little support I was given, how isolated I was during that special period, and through this realisation, how mothers can benefit from gentle guidance, holding and support. This inspired me to train with Uma Dinsmore-Tuli as a pregnancy and postnatal yoga teacher, which I so enjoy sharing with pregnant women, mothers and babies! My original yoga training was with the Devon School of Yoga, with whom I am currently studying for my Postgraduate Yoga Therapy qualification, adding more insight into being human and how yoga can help us along the way.