My name is Kate and I live in Lincolnshire with my husband and 7 beautiful children. I am one of only 5 Lamaze Birth Educators (www.birththelamazeway.co.uk) in this country.  I am originally from southern Ireland but have been living in the UK for the last 15 years, first in Hertfordshire and now Lincolnshire.

I personally have had a variety of births, some positive experiences and some not so positive but I am thankful for each and every birth as it has helped me gain the knowledge and passion that I have today.

I have been supporting pregnant women since 2001 and the first time I considered becoming a Doula was following a very difficult birth experience. My friend had a 3 day labour and I stayed with her day and night, just being there and following her lead with regards to discussions and emotions. Although it was an extremely traumatic and sad time I thoroughly enjoyed being able to support my friend in the way she needed. I went on a couple of years after that to be a birth partner for my sister and again thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience.

The deciding factor in my completing Doula training was one of my own pregnancies. It was a high risk pregnancy from the beginning and I had to fight for the right to birth my baby as I wished. The whole experience really opened my eyes with regards to women choosing how to birth their babies. I guess that the issues I faced fired up a passion in me to support other women through pregnancy, labour and birth.

I want to help empower women and their families so that they can achieve the births they want. I feel that my role as a Doula is to assist the mother on her journey of self-discovery into the inner power she already possesses to be in control of her special birth experience. I also believe that my duty as a Doula is to help women and their partners understand that they are the authors of their birth experience and I am there to support them as their story unfolds.

I completed my Doula training with Nurturing Birth in May 2009 and I am still undergoing the recognition process with Doula UK despite having attended many births as I am simply awful at paperwork!

 

Studies completed:

Waterbirth Study Day with Diane Garland (October 2009)

Birth Crisis Workshop with Sheila Kitzinger (October 2009)

Acupressure For Labour Workshop with Debra Betts (September 2009)

Breastfeeding Workshop with Jack Newman (May 2010)

Lamaze Antenatal Educator with Teri Shilling (May 2011)

 

I have personal experience of:

PCOS

Rhesus negativity

Essential hypertension

Gestational Diabetes

SPD

Group B Strep

Induction

Caesarean section

VBAC

ECV

Placenta Praevia

Pre Eclampsia

Eclampsia

Pre term birth

Breastfeeding

Bottlefeeding

Babywearing

Co-sleeping

 

I cover the following hospitals:

Peterborough Maternity Hospital

Queen Elizabeth Hospital (King's Lynn)

Kings Mill Hospital (Sutton-in-Ashfield)

Queen's Medical Centre

Pilgrim Hospital (Boston)

Lincoln County Hospital

Scunthorpe General Hospital

Diana Princess of Wales Hospital (Grimsby)

Grantham & District Hospital

Bassetlaw Hospital

Nottingham City Hospital Maternity Unit

St Mary's Birth Centre (Melton Mowbray)

 

If you are unsure as to whether I cover your area please contact me to ask.

 

I am a non smoker and hold a full clean driving licence.