We hope you’ve had a wonderful 2022. Whether you are celebrating the season with a new tiny human in your world or are preparing for a 2023 arrival, we hope that your days have been full of joy and love. 2022 has seen our Norfolk Doula cuddle blossom (read about it HERE) and we have all been up to so many interesting things. We’d love to share a little round up of what some of the Norfolk Doula collective have been doing in 2022.
Siobhán Ridley
As I reflect on this past year, I find myself beaming from ear to ear remembering the women whom I was honoured enough to witness as they birthed new life with power, courage, serenity and joy. I have made some exquisite connections (with clients and colleagues) for which I am so grateful. I have been busy with my activism work through the grassroots campaign group March With Midwives. We have made strides in pushing for change in maternity services and this November we orchestrated our second round of nationwide demonstrations. 2022 has been full of love and courage. 2023, I’m coming for you and the adventures you have in store.
You can check out Siobhán’s Norfolk Doulas profile HERE and her website HERE.
Beth Russell
2022 has been a year of growth – it has brought the opportunity to work for the charity Birthrights, who I have long admired. It has brought the absolute joy of doula training with the wonderful Maddie McMahon. And it has seen me grow the confidence to become a Private Midwife and step up for the families I support. I have found wonderful new connections, supported amazing families on their journeys and been supported by incredible friends and family along the way. 2023… I’m so ready for the adventures you will bring!
You can check out Beth’s Norfolk Doula profile HERE and her website HERE.
Paula Cleary
This year I took some time out to go to festivals, travel, and unleash some creativity with some new hobbies. This year I took up macramé in a big way and accidentally become an macramé teacher in the process! I’ve also been doing some activism as a local organiser and supporter with the March With Midwives movement and spoke outside parliament square in the spring.
As the year has progressed, I’ve been going with the flow and taking on doula clients again and lovingly holding space for some wonderful couples as they prepare to birth their babies in 2023.
I love the ebbs and flows of this joyful work ~ and am excited for all that the coming year brings
You can check out Paula’s Norfolk Doula profile HERE and her website HERE.
Cazzy Sayles
Wow, what a year!! I supported my first 5 births (one of which was my first grandchild) Saw 23 Hypnobirthing clients. Started a community antenatal group/education classes and got funding to start a community postnatal group as well. 2022 has been an absolute joy and I can’t wait to see what 2023 brings .
You can check out Caz’s Norfolk Doulas profile HERE and her website HERE.
Yasemin Serpin
2022 has been a huge year! I’ve started the birth beautiful foundation, a charity which will be working to improve perinatal outcomes, and have my first article for the practising midwife in the pipeline. My move to Norfolk this summer was a big step and I’m so happy I’ve joined this wonderful community. While I love being a student midwife, the gratification and happiness I get from my work as a doula in wonderful Norfolk far exceeds anything else I have done professionally. In 2023 I’ll be doing more to get to know the local community, and get cracking with supporting you all though the foundation. Lots of love xx
In 2022, I published three new books, including one on the depiction of breastfeeding in literature and another on becoming an LGBTQ+ parent, and I also translated several works from Swedish to English. And of course I supported several birth and postnatal clients in my role as a doula. Finally, I enjoyed lots of time with my wife and children.
You can check out BJ’s Norfolk Doulas profile HERE and her website HERE.
As 2022 draws to a close, we are so excited to see that our collective has grown to a whopping 13 doulas! It seems like a distant memory since our little cuddle collective began with just two lowly Norfolk Doulas and since then the county’s doula community has boomed. And it is flourishing. We are so excited about what that means for families in Norfolk. We now have more breast feeding support, more antenatal education options, more postnatal care, more ways of receiving birth support, more community groups and circles and so much more variety in services and support…all thanks to the many, inventive offerings of our Norfolk Doulas. Don’t forget to check us all out here: THE DOULAS. We are looking forward to 2023 and all that it may bring for both our cuddle of doulas and for families in Norfolk. Watch this space for a little summary of all that we have been up to this year and what our plans are for the new year ahead.
induce: verb – To succeed in persuading or leading (someone) to do something. “the pickets induced many workers to stay away”.
Of course, the definition we usually use in maternity care is: bring about or give rise to. “none of these measures induced a change of policy” We typically use it in the context of artificially bringing about the beginning of labour. Thing is, it seems to me the first definition is as valid as the second right now. I think many, many doulas and midwives would agree that every day, in every way, women are being induced to be induced.
The persuasion comes in many forms: Much better to pop it out before it gets too big, eh? So much nicer to know the day your baby will be born. We can make a plan and know where we stand If you’re anxious, we can start the process for you if you like I’ll just pop your name on the induction list and get that all booked in for you Just to be on the safe side, eh? We have to err on the side of caution We need to get your baby out now (often followed by a 5 day wait due to short staffing and huge parental anxiety)
During other conversations, the shadows start creeping in: You are high risk You wouldn’t want anything to happen We don’t do that here It’s hospital policy Your placenta will fail We have to We need to I’m just going to Relax, just relax
We are told we are too old and too young, too fat and too thin, too diabetic. Our mental health is blamed, or told that its because it’s our first baby or our 4th. The baby is too small and too big, we have too much water and not enough. We will never give birth on our own. We will bleed to death. We can’t have babies vaginally. There’s no choice here you are going to have to be induced.
And if we say we would prefer not to be induced? “I’m afraid that is not possible I’m not authorized to allow that Did the consultant give you permission? Does your husband think this is a good idea? Tell your wife to be sensible Do you want your baby to die? I’m afraid I will have to refer you to Social Services We have a legal obligation to…. Listen, this is not a prison. Of course you can go home anytime. But are you going to come back in two days with a dead fetus inside you and say I didn’t warn you?”* And when a mother has been induced to be induced, she is booked in with a smile and not told… Not told about the wards, bursting at the seams Not told about the noise and lack of sleep Not told about the hospital being closed so their induction is paused Not told about the lack of staff so their induction is paused Not told about Delivery Suite being full, so their induction is paused Paused Paused Paused…
Not told that despite the ’emergency’ that requires their baby to be immediately evicted, the process could take a long time, or not work at all. Not told that they may be left to labour alone on a ward without their partner. Not told about the lack of space, the heat, the terrible food, the shared toilet and showering facilities. Not told what happens, in what order and why. Not told that sometimes it happens too quickly; the womb overstimulated in a white heat of pain. Not told that often it doesn’t happen at all. Not told about the 4-hourly vaginal exams, the drips, the monitoring belts, the coming and going, the changing of shifts.
Induction is a choice. An item on the menu. Choose according to your circumstances, preferences and instincts. Choose based on information that is as factual as possible. Choose based on the pros and cons. Choose knowing the actual chances of various things happening (absolute not relative risk). Choose knowing your care is being individualised to you. Choose knowing that you are not being processed on a one-side-fits-all conveyor belt. Choose knowing no one has a crystal ball. Choose after conversations with people who are not crippled with fear. Choose trusting yourself and your caregivers. Choose having been given time and physical space and privacy. Choose in the knowledge that you are the expert in your own baby.
Most of all, choose freely, without manipulation, coercion, blackmail, cul de sacs, fait accomplis, fearmongering, dead baby cards, well meaning platitudes, patronising exchanges, mansplaining, blinding with science, a sense of obligation to your caregiver, fear of being punished, or fear of having your children removed. Because babies are not rhubarb. Most of the time, they do not require forcing in the dark.
*all real quotes from our clients
Author: Maddie McMahon
Click on this box to find out more about Maddie or visit her website here: www.maddiemcmahon.com
I had the seeds of an idea when I first started my birth work journey. I love what I do but struggled with the idea that good evidence based birth education was only available to those that could afford it. I want everyone to be able to access the right information in the hope they have the birth they choose.
The seed was watered by the wonderful Maddie who believed in my idea and gave me the confidence to actualise it.
I was lucky as I was offered a church hall rent free from Constance (a trustee of the toddler group that I volunteer at ) so my overheads are zero and I knew I could make it work. My vision for the group is to create a judgement free village of people who come together to learn and support each other. Who will hopefully become each other’s support network for many years to come. It’s small at present but building week by week. We discuss all aspects of birth and postpartum in an easy informal way and have a WhatsApp group for chats inbetween sessions. The joy I get from this group is second to none. I leave after each session absolutely glowing with unity and love. The support I get from Maddie and Constance lifts me and seeing the parents mould together to form their tribe is just beautiful.
Find out more about Norfolk Doula Caz Sayles by clicking on her image to be taken to her profile page.
We’re Here! A Practical Guide to Becoming an LGBTQ+ Parent
Norfolk-based doula and IBCLC B.J. Woodstein is also a university lecturer, translator and writer. Her two newest books might be of interest to other doulas and health professionals and to our clients. Both books can be ordered from libraries or purchased.
The first, The Portrayal of Breastfeeding in Literature, is a study of how breastfeeding is depicted in literature for adults and in children’s literature. In this book, B.J. compares English-language to Swedish-language literature and finds that – what a shock! – English-language lit tends to be quite negative about breastfeeding, suggesting that it is disgusting or wrong or problematic. On the other hand, Swedish-language books feature breastfeeding as a normal part of life. Not coincidentally, breastfeeding rates are much higher in Sweden than in English-speaking countries. This book is available at: ANTHEM PRESS.
B.J.’s other new book is We’re Here! A Practical Guide to Becoming an LGBTQ+ Parent. This book is aimed at both LGBTQ+ people and the professionals who work with them. It leads people through all the options there are for LGBTQ+ folks when it comes to family-building, giving birth, infant-feeding and more. There are many personal stories from LGBTQ+ people and health professionals, as well as lots of practical tips and information. It can be purchased through: PRAECLARUS PRESS.
B.J. is really excited about her books, which are both unique contributions to their respective fields. She can be contacted through her website: https://www.bjwoodstein.com/
I hold space for leaps of faith tears fears hopes sadness laughter joy surprises confusion doubt evolution disbelief dreams delight & going with the flow
I am witness Space holder Sanctuary guardian Gatekeeper Hand holder Deep listener Comfort bringer Body whisperer Doing nothinger Counselor Dreamweaver Sympathiser Mirror Seer Alchemist Seeker of truth En-courager Go-between Time traveller Reminder Restorer of ritual Believer
Sometimes I sit on my hands And sometimes they are busy busy serving With love Tending Stroking Wiping Carrying Holding Squeezing Making Showing Supporting
I witness you give birth to your new self To your baby To everything you’ve been waiting for The setting sun on yesterday and the dawn of a new day
I share little stories To let you know YOU ARE NOT ALONE
I bring love I bring hope I bring loving touch And I weep with you When they steal your power And overwhelm us all Closing in like an iron fist
I weep with you I stand with you I howl with you I fight for you In whatever small ways I can I love and care for you
We are super proud of Norfolk doulas, Shauna Tate and Siobhán Ridley for their wonderful spread in the Eastern Daily Press, the regions primary newspaper. It is a wonderful thing when those in the public eye are rumoured to make use of various services as it can sometimes act as a catalyst for much needed publicity for those services. Such was the case when Meghan Markle was rumoured to have chosen a doula to support her as part of her birth squad. This news has generated a great deal of interest in doulas (a much misunderstood profession) and we hope that more women will become aware of the fact that there are more choices available for pregnancy, birth and postnatal support. Every woman deserves to be loved, nurtured, supported and encouraged free from judgement and agenda, throughout this pivotal time in their lives.
As a result of this exposure, the EDP spoke to Shauna and Siobhán about what doulas are and why they are beneficial to birthing people and their families. You can check out a digital version of the article HERE.
For more information about what a doula does, visit What is a Doula?
To meet your local Norfolk doulas visit The Doulas
If you would like to have a chat about your birth and/or postnatal period and how a doula can support you, please get in touch via the Contact form. We’d love to hear from you.
Norfolk doula Siobhán, writes an informative piece about why you should have a doula for your first birth, just like Meghan:
“Doulas have been around since time memorial. They provide the ancient art of emotional, nurturing female support during the most vulnerable moments of a woman’s life – the day she gives birth. The doula community doesn’t shout about what we do. We work with families in strictest confidence, holding their secrets, the details of their journey and their personal stories, under lock and key in our mental filing cabinets. Behind the scenes we work tirelessly in whatever ways we can to change birth culture, to support vulnerable women, to spread good quality information, to counter the dearth of click bait rubbish and to spread as much emotional and practical care as possible. We’re so busy doing all those things, that sometimes our voice is lost in the swamped advertising world where pregnant women and parents are cash cows to an ever growing industry of ‘must have things’.
And this is why, when high profile women such as Meghan Markle reportedly choose to have a doula in her birth squad, we get very excited. We also get very excited because we know that she is going to have SO much love during her pregnancy and birth and that is what doulas want for ALL women.”
Why should you have a doula for your first birth?
A doula will guide you through all the information
A doula is your confidant on speed dial
A doula supports you and your partner
A doula is a member of your birth squad that YOU chose
Research shows that having a doula makes a difference
Doulas are for everyone
“A woman, as long as she lives, will remember how she was made to feel at her birth”.
I became a Doula without even noticing at first. After I started supporting friends’ births I realised that I wanted it to turn from passion to vocation, then career, so I completed my formal Doula training. I have experience supporting families through pregnancy, birth and the newborn period. I support parents’ choices and ensure their voices are heard. My passions lie with supporting physiological birth and establishing successful breastfeeding relationships, but your goals are my goals and I am here to walk beside you along whichever path you choose. I provide emotional, informational and practical support for all stages along the journey of bringing a new baby into the world. This includes preparing for birth, support during the birth and immediate postnatal period, and with breastfeeding, safe baby wearing, sleep and adjusting to life with a new little person in the family. I live with my husband, two young children, cats and chickens, and we often host a trio of visiting horses! We live a busy outdoorsy muddy lifestyle. I spend as much time as I can pretending to be a mermaid, whether it is in the sea or river, or at my local pool.
“I had the most beautiful home birth with Bonnie’s support. I felt confident that she would be my strongest advocate during labour. She held my birthing space beautifully, quietly reassuring and encouraging me from the sidelines. I gave birth feeling like an absolute goddess and the whole experience is one I look back on with such joy.” – Alice.
“I knew Bonnie was there for me at every step along the way. She has the most gentle calming voice, which you need when things really heat up! When we came home, Bonnie was there to help me with breastfeeding, and hold my baby while I rested.” – Nadia.
Love is what I will bring to you when I support you. I want to walk through this part of your parenting journey with you, wrapping you in a warm blanket of care and nurture. I will listen to your hopes and fears and together we will find ways to create a clear path to feeling confident, in control and connected. Pregnancy, birth and parenting information is overwhelming but I will help you navigate this by acting as your google filter and by guiding you to balanced information.
I will always support you in your choices without judgement, holding your hand throughout. As we get to know each other, I will be able to tailor my services to the individual needs of your unique family. A doula is an emotional support, a calming presence, and a bringer of compassion and smiles. Practically I will bring my knowledge of labour, birth, hypnobirthing and biomechanics. I also have a lending library, birthing pool, birthing stool, birthing balls and rebozos for you to use.
How I can support you:
Hypnobirthing – I teach group and private classes.
Bespoke antenatal education and birth preparation.
Pregnancy Doula – individually tailored doula support throughout pregnancy until your birthing day.
Birth Doula
Creative Journalling group sessions (maternal journal)
A little bit about me:
I live in in a little village in the Norfolk Broads with my amazing teenage sweetheart turned husband and three sons.
After my motherhood journey began I became acutely aware that so much in life begins with how we experience birth and the start of human life. I started my birth keeper work by training as a hypnobirthing teacher and then began consuming as much as I could about the birthing and parenthood world. Eventually, after years adoring my work as a school teacher, I made the jump to fully self-employed life. And here I am.
Some fun facts:
I’m happiest with a scuba tank attached to me, drifting along the bottom of the ocean.
I cannot cook. Seriously, my baking is actually dangerous.
I home educate our tiny humans.
I founded and run Home Birth Norfolk peer support group and I am the founder of Norfolk Doulas.
As an activist I am on the steering group of a national grassroots campaign group March With Midwives.
Devotional development – I am dedicated to attending many continuing professional development courses every year.
If you would like some more information about my training, qualifications, experience and client testimonials please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
My commitment to continuing professional development includes having done the following courses: Biomechanics for birth to advanced level; LGBTQ+ inclusion; Cultural competence and safety; Human rights for childbirth and many many more.
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