Meet Us...
Linda Hobbs
Mum to Matthew born 1984 and Samantha born 1987.
I am a recognised postnatal doula. I am N.N.E.B. trained. I have considerable practical experience with young children. I have worked as a nanny, a registered child minder, on a children's behavioural unit, in a primary school.
I bake a mean cake!
I iron a good shirt!
I'm an expert at reading stories.
Most of all, I am committed to making the time after birth as positive, enjoyable and stress free for the whole family as possible.
Jill Jones
Mother to Katie born in 1979 and Penny born in 1981.
I am a recognised postnatal doula. I trained as a radiographer.
I was involved in running a playgroup and have helped in several primary schools with reading, cookery and art.
I formed and ran a music group and now give private piano lessons to both children and adults.
I love bringing order to chaos. I am good in a crisis.
Maddie McMahon
I am a mother to Daniel (born 2000) and Libby (born 2003).
I am a recognised birth and postnatal doula.
Fascinated by the process of birth and the developing relationship between the newborn, the parents and the siblings, I have a particular interest in breastfeeding and have enjoyed supporting nursing mothers. I have completed my training to become a Breastfeeding Supporter with Breastfeeding Network.
My aim as a doula is to create a relaxed atmosphere and to help out with odd jobs around the home so that you can get on with the birth and continue normal family life. I hope that I will also be able to help you deal with some of the niggling worries that go with being/becoming a mother.
Cilla Carter
I am a Mum, Step-mum and Grandmother; and I am a recognised postnatal doula.
I am a home start volunteer and I have a wide range of experience including working with adolescents with behavioural problems and working as a doula with twins.
I like creating order and calm, I like all cooking and make great cakes and good spaghetti bolognaise. I laugh a lot, enjoy life and think a sense of humour is essential.
As a doula I think it is essential for new mothers to feel that they are being supported in a sympathetic environment, which includes understanding, kindness and non-judgmental care.
Jemma Ostler
My name is Jemma and I live with my husband and two year old daughter. My daughter is beautiful and lively and is a huge inspiration to me. She has completely changed my views and philosophy on life and I now try to approach life as she does, with joy and wonderment.
I was fortunate enough to have an easy, gentle birth when I had my baby and I was also supported postnatally by the superb Heath Visitors we have in my area. I know that not everyone can have this.
I understand the importance your birth has on you and your relationships with your baby, your partner and how it colours your views on having subsequent children. I know that not everybody has a good birth experience so I decided to train as a doula to help other women have wonderful birth experiences and postnatal support. It is what every woman deserves.
I was lucky enough to train with Developing Doulas- a Doula UK approved course. I have truly found my vocation and I thank all the mums that I’ve worked with for giving me the privilidge to attend their births.
I am a recognised Birth Doula and a trainee Postnatal Doula.
I have attended hospital births, homebirths, VBAC, inductions, an elective caesarian and HypnoBirths. I am a certified HypnoBirthing practioner and can teach techniques to help you have a calm, gentle even pain free birth, just as nature intends.
I cover Cambs, Herts and Beds.
Cathy Atkins
I am mum to Poppy born 1996, Millie born 2000 and Evan born 2004.
I am a recognised birth doula and trainee postnatal doula
I love supporting parents during the birth of their baby, and find nothing more rewarding than seeing a couple achieve a positive birth experience.
I am a trained breastfeeding helper and volunteer at my local hospital helping mum's establish breastfeeding. I also volunteer at a breastfeeding centre and a group for young mothers.
I have lots of experience working with babies and young children including having worked as a support worker on a children's ward and a special care baby unit. I also used to run a mother and toddler group.
I believe that empathy; listening and compassion are vital when supporting families who may feel quite vulnerable during pregnancy, around the time of birth and the early weeks with a baby.
Suzanne Howlett
I am mother to two sons and one daughter, now all in their twenties.
I am a recognised Birth and Post-Natal Doula and a member of Doula UK.
I have worked as a Child minder and play group leader, have 12 years experience as a maternity Reflexologist and doula and am a certified HypnoBirthing Instructor (Mongan Method)
I really enjoy supporting the transition into motherhood, for each pregnancy and child is totally unique.
I am committed to gentleness around birth, for the parents to be and their baby, doing all that I can to keep the birthing atmosphere calm and safe. Your birth is a miracle of life and I regard the experience as sacred.
I am experienced with home-birth and water birth.
Martina Anderson
Mum to Tom born 1997 & Maddie born 2003.
I am a recognised birth doula.
I have worked as a childminder.
I love supporting & empowering women. We all need a few moments of clarity in a very busy world from time to time.
I am fascinated by the magic of birth & all that surrounds it & now my journey has begun, I am keen to follow it, wherever it may lead.
I have supported ladies in hypnobirthing births, natural & hospital births. My aim is to make sure that each woman is empowered to make her own decisions, thus achieving a birth that she is both comfortable with & in charge of.
Alison Marcus
Mum to Sammy born 1994, Becky born 1996, Aaron born 1999 and Jenny born 2000.
I am a trainee birth and postnatal doula.
I enjoy helping parents during pregnancy, birth and in the newborn period; I am an antenatal teacher with the National Childbirth Trust.
I also enjoy looking after babies and young children; I have been a childminder for 7 years.
I cook a yummy turkey pie but they queue up for my chocolate-treacle sponge!
I am a good listener.
I love animals.
I am not an expert with the iron but do much better at washing clothes and dishes and performing other light household tasks!
Casey Scott
I live in Wistow just outside Huntingdon with Marcus. We have three terrific children together, Louie, Ollie and Mia, born in 1995, '98 and 2000 respectively.
Before I had kids of my own I had been a NNEB trained Nanny for 9 years with children ranging from birth to 6 years.
In February 2008 I completed a 5 day “Developing Doula” course. I am a trainee birth and postnatal doula In June 2008 I completed a basic first aid course. I am CRB checked.
I consider myself a reasonable cook, having cooked all my children's food from scratch and would be more than happy to cook for children and parents (separate menus obviously!)
It is my view and it has been my experience, that there is no one right way to give birth to, or bring up a child. What is of paramount importance is that you feel empowered to make the myriad of often seemingly overwhelming decisions in a manner that you are comfortable with.
Whatever your initial strategy, whether that be to research everything or if you choose to just go with the flow my aim would be for you to be able to look back on your birth or post natal period with success, even if the path you end up taking isn’t the one you originally choose. This may involve a trusted confidant who has been through the process before – which is where I come in!!
Since having a child is a unique opportunity to develop, hopefully I could help signpost you if your sleep-deprived, hormone-infused, normally rational decision making competences elude you!!!
Candice Lattimore
I am mum to Emily born 1999 and Katie born 2002.
I am a trainee birth doula with Doula UK and an antenatal teacher with the NCT. I am a qualified birth doula and trainee postnatal doula.
My aims as a birth doula are to:
Empower and support women and their birth partners to believe in and trust a womans body to birth her baby in the way that is right for them.
Encourage discussions around late pregnancy, giving birth, bonding, feeding and the early weeks of parenting.
Practice physical skills, massage and positions for giving birth.
Explore emotional topics and barriers to birthing, providing emotional, physical and practical support throughout the end of pregnancy and in labour and birth.
Be with women and their partner at their babies birth and the hours after the birth, for as long as they need me.
I have a great sense of humour and love to chat, but equally I am a great listener and have a good ability to just ‘be there’ if that is all that is needed.
I have supported women and their partners with both first time and subsequent births at home, in water, hospital births and in theatre during a caesarean section.
Ashley MacDonald
I am the mother to two wonderful children, Ava (born 2007) and Samuel (born 2009). I am a trainee birth and postnatal doula.
I have trained with Developing Doulas, under Maddie McMahon, a Doula UK approved course. I am currently training to be a breastfeeding peer supporter.
I know that the way you have a baby and the way you care for your child are very important to you. My goal as a doula is to protect your space and your desires for your birth and for your family. My aim as a doula is to nurture mothers, helping them to become the mothers they want to be, whatever that might look like for them. I passionately believe that everyone should have access to knowledgeable support during pregnancy, labour and into early motherhood. I consider my core strength as a doula to be my ability to listen with compassion and unconditionally support the families I work with.
As a certified primary school teacher I have worked with all sorts of little people and have learnt so much about the world from them. I believe my work as a doula is a continuation of this support of children and families.
I am by nature a caregiver. I have always gravitated towards work that allows me the opportunity to support and empower people. I also love to cook and rarely leave the house without baked goods in hand! I make a mean cupcake, am not afraid of a washer/dryer or a dirty nappy, enjoy a long walk out with a babe or two and often find a nice chat over a cuppa can cast new light on many a difficult issue.
It is a joy and a pleasure to be able to support mothers and families as they grow together. I'm truly grateful for the work I have the privilege of doing.
Please visit me at:
www.ashleydoula.co.uk
Info@ashleydoula.co.uk
07970829844