Doula Support & Birth Education,
covering Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire
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Birth and Postnatal Doula support
Someone to walk alongside you, holding your hand, making sure your voice is always heard
Full spectrum birth and postnatal doula support in Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and the East Midlands.
If theres one thing I know for sure, as a busy doula, and person who has given birth twice...
You will remember how you felt when you gave birth for the rest of your life.
Not just how the baby came out, but how you actually felt. How you were supported. The care you received. Your partners experience.... all of it.
And this is why I do what I do.
Because you deserve to feel seen, heard, respected and, in my opinion, worshipped, as you travel through pregnancy, birth, postpartum and parenthood.
Having someone walk alongside you throughout, to witness you at your most vulnerable, who understands birth and understands you...
Now that's where I can bring the real doula magic.
As your doula, I offer experienced, grounding support, providing a hand to hold, a shoulder to cry on, a tonne of evidence-based information and birth wisdom and true continuity of care throughout your whole journey.
I specialise in home birth, VBAC, HBAC and birth outside of guidelines, but I'm also experienced with hospital birth, induction and caesarean birth.
Your autonomy is always my priority and I'm a fierce protector of informed choice.
I work independently, meaning I’m not tied to any policies or protocols, and can support you free from any agenda.
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What it feels like to work with me
All of my work is based on close and trusted relationships.
You can think of me as a good friend firmly in your corner, along for the ride, who just happens to have buckets of birthy wisdom, training and experience across variety of settings and situations.
I'm there for the joyful parts, the messy parts and everything in between.
As your doula, it's so important to me....
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That you are always listened to and respected
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That you feel confident and ready before labour even starts
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That you can relax, knowing you have a reliable independent advocate
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That your partner also has support, and can be there for you, without worry about logistics or advocacy
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That you have balanced, nuanced information to make informed decisions
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That you're always well fed
And, that you and your birth are truly celebrated,
no matter how it all unfolds
Home Birth doula support in action
"If you're considering booking Amy as a doula then all i can say is.. do it! You won't regret it. Its the biggest gift you can give yourself & your baby and it is so worth it." - Emma
Part of your birth team
I regularly work alongside midwives across Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, supporting families in both hospital and home birth settings. I’m fortunate to work closely with the Nottinghamshire Home Birth midwifery team, who provide dedicated home birth midwifery care in the area.
When the doula–midwife relationship is working well, we form an effective team, each bringing a different but complementary role. As a doula, I focus on emotional, physical, practical, and informational support, while midwives care for any medical or clinical needs.
I'm very confident using calm but assertive advocacy skills, (which is necessary at times) to make sure that your voice is always heard and your wishes respected, even in the most vulnerable moments.
Wonderful midwives from the NUH Home Birth team
How I support you during pregnancy
Virtual support from booking
From the moment you book with me, I’m at the end of the phone for support, wether thats for reassurance, resources or just a good chat about how you're feeling.
Antenatal education
This is a core part of my support. I tailor our sessions around what matters most to you, making sure you feel more prepared and informed as you approach birth. This usually includes making birth plans, discussion about your choices, learning about biomechanics and labour physiology and simply taking time to talk through thoughts or worries about birth and the postpartum.
Getting to know you and your support team
It’s really important to me that when I attend your birth, I’m arriving as a familiar, trusted presence. A big part of our antenatal time is spent getting to know each other, building trust, and making sure anyone who will be present at your birth feels comfortable, informed, and able to lean on me if they need to.
How I support you during birth
On call
I am on call for your birth from 10 days before your estimated due date. During this time I’m available 24/7 for virtual support, and will join you in person when you need me (usually once labour is established.)
Advocacy
I’m a strong advocate for autonomy and informed choice in labour. My role is to help ensure you feel heard, respected, and supported in making decisions that feel right for you. I will never tell you what to do, but I can help you understand your options, slow things down when needed, and support you in navigating conversations and decision making with confidence.
Comfort measures & biomechanics
Sometimes all that’s needed is a steady presence, a hand to hold, or a well-timed hip squeeze. I can also suggest movements and positions
that can support labour progress (biomechanics) and I carry a small toolkit including items such as TENS units, birth combs, and aromatherapy (which we can use for inhalation or as part of a relaxing labour massage.)
Nourishment & encouragement
Birth snacks are everything. I always bring plenty of them to make sire you are as well fed/hydrated as possible. I’m also there for encouragement, reassurance, pep talks, and quiet steady support whenever you need it.
Protecting the space & early bonding
Birth thrives in a certain calm, quiet, safe, dark environment, and I am there to facilitate that wether you are at home or at hospital.
After birth, I remain quietly present. to protect your space and support those first moments of bonding with your baby as a family.
Supporting your partner too
I’m not there to replace your partner, but to support them as well. Having a doula often allows partners to feel more present. involved, and confident, knowing someone is quietly holding the wider space so they can focus fully on you
How I support you postnatally
Virtual support
I offer six weeks of virtual postnatal support as standard, giving you ongoing access to reassurance, guidance, and someone to chat to in those early weeks. This can include talking things through, basic feeding support, signposting to local services, and being a sounding board when things feel overwhelming or youv'e
Postnatal visit
All of my packages include at least one in person postnatal visit. This might include debriefing your birth experience, talking through early newborn life, basic feeding support, and practical help around the house. I often bring a home-cooked meal, and can help with small tasks so you have more space to rest and settle.
My aim is for you to feel supported, held and not feeling like you are having to figure everything out on your own.
"Thank you for everything, but most of all, thank you for simply being there. Your presence was my power. You helped me feel safe, strong and capable. You'll forever hold a special place in my heart and my birth story." - Louise
Partner review:
"Amy is like a best friend that has experienced every different type of birth, basically the person you want in the corner! She is very knowledgeable about all the different scenarios, logistics, pain relief, movements, and will play the advocate in your decision making process, helping you see the bigger picture." - Jack
Want to read more lovely client stories?
Doula Support Packages
Core Support
Complete Support
Antenatal
Initial consultation
4 x antenatal visits, including antenatal short course
Virtual support from the time of booking
Access to my members area
Virtual check-in around your due date for any last-minute questions or reassurance
Birth
On call from 10 days before your estimated due date
In-person birth support
Birth pool hire (if required)
Postnatal
2 x postnatal visits,
6 weeks virtual postnatal support
Investment: £1950
Antenatal
Initial consultation
2 x antenatal visits
Virtual support from the time of booking
Option to take my antenatal course at a reduced rate
Access to my members area
Birth
On call from 10 days before your estimated due date
In-person birth support
Birth pool hire (if required)
Postnatal
1 x postnatal visit
6 weeks virtual postnatal support
Investment: £1550
Bespoke support
If you’re looking for something more tailored, I also offer bespoke doula packages shaped around your individual needs.
Shared care
I also offer shared care arrangements with another lovely local doula, read more about how that might work for you here.
Past client Anna looking gorgeously calm
"I don't have the words to say how truly thankful I am for Amy's support. She helped me to believe that I could do it! And she made me feel so relaxed between contractions. The whole thing was simply night and day compared to my previous hospital birth. Thank you so much Amy for helping to make this a positive birth. We couldn't have had a better person to share such a life changing experience!" - Annalisa
Practical bits
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I support families across Nottinghamshire and parts of Derbyshire/Leicestershire (anywhere within 45 mins of Toton Notts)
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Payment plans are available if necessary
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I intentionally keep my caseload small, with just one 1:1 client and one shared-care client around each due date, so I can be fully present for the families I support.
I'm the right doula for you if....
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You want someone to tell you what to do or make decisions for you
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You think I (or any doula) can guarantee a certain outcome
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You want to blindly follow NHS guidance without asking questions or doing your own research
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You think more birth interventions automatically equals more safety
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You and your partner don't want to examine how you really feel about birth
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You don't think your birth and postnatal experience is worth investing in
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You don't like good snacks
I'm not the right doula for you if...
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You want someone who can confidently support you when your birth goes to plan, and when it doesn't
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You want to birth your way, even if it doesn't line up with current guidance
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You want a doula who is a physiological birth nerd
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You value calm, non-judgemental support that helps you make decisions at your own pace
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You want a doula who has experience supporting neurodivergent families
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You want your birth partner(s) to feel included, supported, and confident in their role
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You want to feel more connected to your own intuition and strength
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You like good snacks
Come and hang out with me over on instagram for more birthy content
Doula support FAQ's
Is having a doula worth it?
I mean, I am biased.. but yes! So much so that I hired a doula for my second birth (before I was one myself.) My job is so rewarding because I regularly get to witness the benefits of continuity of care from a friendly face, and the positive impact it has on my clients and their birth experiences. It's not just that day or so of labour either, where doula support really shines is that ongoing support through pregnancy, and those hours/days of virtual support during early labour that can be so hard to navigate without someone in your corner. For me doula support wasn't a luxury, it was a necessity, and exactly what I needed to welcome my daughter into the world feeling strong, well supported and confident. Head to my testimonials page to see what my previous clients have to say.
Does a doula replace a midwife?
A doula and a midwife are very different roles. A midwife provides clinical expertise and can do things like give pain medication, take bloods, do vaginal examinations etc, whereas a doula is not typically medically trained and takes care of your emotional wellbeing, and can provide physical comfort measures and support to help you through labour, advocate for your wishes, as well as informational support should you need it. If you are choosing to birth at hospital you would have a midwife and a doula present, and if you were choosing to birth at home you would usually have two midwives and a doula present. Some families choose to freebirth (ie birth in the absence of medical professionals) in which case a midwife may not be present, and they may hire a doula to support them.
Do doulas advocate at births?
I can't speak for everyone, but for me a big part of my role is amplifying the voice of my client and ensuring that she feels heard and her wishes are being respected. This is always done with the utmost respect for the birth space, and although sometimes assertiveness is called for, I always make sure the environment remains calm and focussed around my client and her needs.
What is the difference between a doula and an independent midwife?
An independent midwife is a midwife who practices outside of the NHS, but still can do clinical tasks and screening, whereas a doula provides emotional, physical and informational support but cannot does not fulfil any clinical role. Both provide an extremely valuable but different service. If it is an independent midwife you are looking for, I can highly recommend midwife Amie, who covers Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire.
Do you only support home births?
Although I specialise in home birth and physiological birth, I support families to birth wherever they feel safest. Home birth isn't right for everyone, and neither is hospital birth. However I will say that if your aim is to avoid a surgical birth, the place that is most likely to happen... is at home. Find out more about Home Birth support here.
What areas do you cover?
As a doula I cover anywhere within an hour of Toton Nottingham. This includes Beeston, Toton, Chilwell, Attenborough, Bramcote, Nottingham city, Wollaton, Stapleford, Long Eaton, Sandiacre, West Bridgford, Ruddington, Mapperley, Arnold, Keyworth, East Leake, Castle Donington, Ilkeston, Breaston, Borrowash, Ockbrook, Littleover, Mickleover, Allestree, Duffield and Derby
Do doulas improve outcomes and reduce chances of caesarean birth?
Statistically yes! There are several studies that confirmed that doula support does indeed reduce the chance of birth interventions. As a doula, I can't guarantee any particular outcome, but I can guarantee that I will steadfastly support you, and can optimise conditions in order to help facilitate a physiological birth, if that's what you are planning.
What happens if my birth doesn't go to plan?
This is a great question! As a doula I am there, whatever happens. So for example, in the event of a home birth that transfers into hospital, I will travel alongside you and meet you at hospital and continue your support there. I think there is a misconception that doulas are only useful in an unmedicated straightforward birth, but I have to say, having someone calm by your side, when things don't go to plan and become difficult or medically complicated, is even more valuable.
How long can a doula work for?
All of us are different and have our own boundaries around this question. For me I have a rough limit of about 24 hours, but will need breaks (and potentially a sleep) within this time frame. My clients and I discuss antenatally when the best time to call me out is, to try and lower the risk of me being present to early, and when that does happen, I usually nip home and then come back when I'm needed. I've got very good at knowing when I need a rest/break - a tired, burnt out doula is no good to anyone!
Will having a doula replace my partner?
No not at all. In fact, I've had some wonderful feedback from lot's of the birth partners I have supported over the years. I am not there to take over or replace them, instead to support them to be able to be present for you in the way they want, without having to worry about outside noise. Sometimes partners take more of the physical support role, while I am taking care of logistics/advocacy, sometimes it's the other way around, and sometimes we end up both doing a bit of both. The other great thing, is that having a doula means partners can actually get some rest if needed, knowing you still have trusted support with you. This means they can be better rested and able to support you for the remainder of the birth and into postpartum. In a home birth, I normally take care of all the birth pool logistics and do a big tidy up before I leave, meaning your partner can stay with you and focus on bonding and settling in with your new family member.
