Kate

My interest in birth work began when I had my second birth with a doula. It was a wonderful experience to be held by another woman who was there just for me. It made my birth more sacred and honouring and that is the experience I wanted without realising it. I had 2 of my 3 children at home with one unassisted. My experiences were deeply empowering and opened within me a space I hadn’t known was there. It changed me like nothing before or since – not in the same way, at least. And, there were things I would have wanted to be different that the right support could have guided me towards.

Over the years I have seen the frailties of the midwifery service and seen and felt the sadness, anger, rage and trauma my clients have experienced after trusting it. Many women have had great experiences and I am thankful for that, but when one woman is negatively altered as a result of her birth being mishandled or her body being abused, it affects her, her child, her family and on, and on. The ripples of trauma are proven to go down ancestral lines and I am fiercely passionate about protecting the sacredness of birth so it isn’t traumatic. It simply doesn’t need to be. Even when things go differently they can still be honouring and respectful. 

Some years ago I stopped taking on clients who choose to birth in a hospital. They are needed in some cases, and I truly appreciate medical support when the need arises, however, in the majority of cases physiological birth is safe and does not need any intervention. None! I only support women who choose to birth at home with midwives or free from medical assistance. It is safer and it honours the rite of passage that birth is for a mother and her child. It is so very normal to be born at home, surrounded by all that is familiar to you. It is empowering and that power needs to be reclaimed.

The question most asked is do I go with a mother if she has to transfer to hospital during labour. And yes, I do. It is a time when a woman needs support more than ever. Her birth choices may change so I stay close and support her to make the best of what is happening. We spend time walking through what happens, what could be done differently, what may need to be accepted, what can be let go of. The safety of my clients is paramount. 

Working with me is a two-way street, we need to know and trust each other for you to lean in and for me hold the space. Please email me or WhatsApp me first to arrange a chat on the phone. If that feels right I like to meet face-to-face so we can see if it’s right to walk this path together. Intuition and instinct are essential when choosing a partner for something as lifechanging as the birth of your child. My clients ‘know’ if I am right for them, as do I. 

I can supply references from my past clients who will be happy to share their experiences of working with me. I also explain what I can’t do and why. It is essential you understand my role and what my professional boundaries are, but it is done with love and care to create a safe space we all trust. 

I do not take clients on for the sake of it. This is not my work, it is my calling and I go where I am called to be. It is how I best serve myself and my clients. I exchange my services for money in most cases but I am open to an exchange of services or other forms of currency if that is of interest. Please email to enquire. 

Lastly, I do support people free of charge if their circumstances require that. My paying clients take priority but money is not a barrier to being supported during birth. If I can’t support you for any reason I can ask someone else who works as I do if they can help.

If we are called to work together, I look forward to meeting you.