Can a doula help if I’m having a caesarean birth?

Yes absolutely. I have supported many positive beautiful c-sections. On the day, I would accompany you to the hospital and provide support before, during and after the birth of your baby. My role remains the same, I am still there to ensure that your choices are heard during the caesarean, so that you have the birth experience (& early postpartum) you need & deserve.

What certifications or trainings does a doula have?

I became a certified birth & postnatal doula in January 2024 with the Doula Training Foundation & am recognised within Doula UK.I have attended multiple further education seminars in my time, including:Dr Rebecca Knowles-Bevis: Birth Trauma Training Shellie Poulter: Birth Biomechanics TrainingKatie James: Breastfeeding & Lactation TrainingBirth Rights: Helping women navigate the system SANDS: Supporting parents with baby loss I also meet monthly with the Maternity & Neonatal Voices Partnership teams (MNVP). It allows me to stay completely up to date with local hospital policies and foster strong, collaborative relationships with the healthcare teams supporting your birth.

If I don't live in your area, can you still be my doula?

All of my support packages include mileage up to 40 miles round trip (20 miles each way). If you live outside of this radius, I can absolutely still support you. Check out my virtual (Grace in your pocket) package which outlines the antenatal support & education I can offer, as well as the virtual support via email & phone during the birth. This virtual option has worked well for multiple clients in the past (who I’d be happy to put you in touch with!). We can also organise any additional sessions such as a birth debrief if you need once your baby is here. If an in person birth doula is what you’re after and you live too far away, I can support you to find somebody more local who you connect with.

When should I hire a doula?

It’s completely up to you! It’s important for me to connect/meet with you at least once before your birth so I know your negotiables & non-negotiables. If you’re coming to the end of your pregnancy, please get in touch ASAP and we can discuss your options. I have had clients book on very last minute, ideally, it would be earlier in your pregnancy BUT it’s never too late IMO to get the support you need. If you’re early on in pregnancy, congratulations! If you’re considering working with me, book a connect call sooner rather than later, so I can secure you in my diary before I get booked up & build a strong connection with you & your partner in the months leading up to your birth.

Birth Doula Grace of Cradled by Grace supporting a client

Birth Doula Support in Cranbrook,Tenterden, Ashford, Maidstone & Tunbridge Wells

Birth Doula support

Doula Support in Kent for women that don’t just ‘go with the flow’, they actively prepare for a positive bold birth experience.

You’re here because you know you want more than to just say ‘at least the baby’s ok’ at the end of it.

You’ve heard the stories. You may have even experienced it yourself (I see you, I’m so sorry).

The long drawn out 4-day induction, the cascades of intervention, the unplanned (or as usually described) emergency c-section…)

The ‘I didn’t know what was happening, it all escalated so quickly’

The ‘they told me I had to do this’

I'm here because you know that's not for you. You want different. You deserve different. You want to feel different.

VIEW DOULA PACKAGES

To want something different isn't judgemental, it’s proactive. It’s not to ever invalidate anyone else’s experience, but this is your experience. It’s you choosing yourself & your baby.

It’s you (quite rightly) questioning:

‘Is there another way?’

You’re not naive. Birth isn’t always predicable. Things can change, you know that, but you also know that ‘just getting through it’ was never going to be enough for you.

Hospitals I cover

William Harvey Hospital (Ashford) ✹ Tunbridge Wells Hospital (Pembury) ✹ Maidstone Hospital, Conquest Hospital (St Leonard’s On Sea) ✹

The time has come.

You’re in labour. Instead of feeling overwhelmed, scared & submissive, you’re calm & grounded, prepared & excited. Your dream birth team are with you; they know exactly what you need.

You’ve got this.

Most people will go with the flow & hope for the best. That’s because birth is so unpredictable, right?

But not you.

You’re prepared. Fully. That’s not just because you’ve done an NCT course or filled out the NHS birth preferences sheet. You’ve done the inner work. You trust your instincts, you’ve built habits & knowledge, you’ve asked the key questions, you’ve got your carefully selected birth team.

You’re ready.

Your birth isn’t a rehearsal. It’s an experience that you & your baby will face, together. Let’s make it amazing.

Picture this

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You step into labour knowing what your body is about to do.

No questions, just clarity

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You have your dream birth team. We know your negotiables & non-negotiables. Advocacy is there if you need it.

We’ve got you.

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You birth your baby your way.

Every choice you made was informed & right for you

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You begin your parenthood journey feeling safe, strong & connected to your body & your baby

I WANT THIS - BOOK A CALL

How I work as your Doula

First & foremost, this is about you. I am not bound by any hospital trust policies or shifts. When I am on call, I am on shift for you. Where health care professionals change or time limitations are placed on them to provide you a service, I can be your constant. A reassuring, professional, female presence that understands birth, the maternity system, but not only that, how we can make your wants & needs heard effectively to achieve your birth your way.

Afterall, nobody wants better for your baby than you.

I will never tell you what to do (that’s not my job, nor do you need any more of that), but I will signpost you so that you find the answers & make the right decisions for you & your baby. Why? Because we are as unique as our personalities.

I love to work with couples during pregnancy early on, so that we can build a strong connection way ahead of the labour & birth. I work just as closely with your partner as I do you, so that they feel empowered to step into that position with confidence & assurance that I’m with them every step of the way.

I advocate for a positive birth experience, not a certain type of birth (home, hospital, vaginal, caesarean). This looks different to everyone, the key is that it’s positive, informed & feels right for you.

As your doula, I respect you & your choices unconditionally.

I offer a free non-obligatory connect call so that you can decide whether I am the right doula for you.

I WANT THIS - BOOK A CALL

What having a Doula can mean, backed by research

Reduced risk of Caesarean birth ✹ Reduced risk of instrumental birth ✹ Reduced need for painkillers or epidural during birth ✹ Reduced rate of induction of labour ✹ Shorter labour ✹ Increased parental satisfaction with the birth experience ✹ Increased likelihood of initiating breastfeeding ✹ Increased likelihood of successfully establishing breastfeeding & breastfeeding at 6 weeks ✹ Lower incidence of depressive symptomatology ✹

CHECK OUT MY POST TO LEARN MORE

Your 5* Birth Support Packages:

For the bold birthers. These aren’t for one specific ‘type’ of birth. Whether you’re planning a homebirth, birth centre, induction or caesarean, I’ll be here to hold your hand however your birth unfolds.

This is not just an investment in your birth.

It’s an investment in how you feel during your birth experience… and everything that comes afterwards – and in my experience, that’s life-changing.

Birth is not ‘just a day’. Birth impacts on your body, your baby, your bonding, your feeding, your confidence as a mum, your baby’s long-term health – let’s make it memorable for all the right reasons.

Anchored Birth Package

Your investment: £2410

This package is magic - I will spend loads of time with you & your birth partner during your pregnancy, build a solid relationship, provide you with ample 121 physical meet ups & attend your birth in person. Yep, I will be with you & your partner every step of the way, whether you want to be at home or birth in hospital.

I will be your biggest cheerleader, personal birth nerd & confidante. I will also come to visit postnatally which will give you that continuity of care & the reassurance as a new parent that you are well looked after.

After all, if you are cared for properly, your baby will be absolutely fine!

WHAT'S INCLUDED

The Anchored Birth Package is recommended for second-time parents or repeat clients (the biggest honour to support you again!).

On our connection call we can discuss & identify the package that is best suited to you.

BOOK YOUR CONNECTION CALL

Grace you were amazing! She stepped in at the very last minute for the birth of our second baby, and somehow it felt like she had been part of our journey all along. From the moment she arrived, her presence was calming and reassuring. She is incredibly knowledgeable and confident, which gave us so much peace in what felt like an unknown and unpredictable situation. Her steady guidance, gentle encouragement, and warm, comforting demeanor made all the difference.She knew exactly when to step in with support, when to offer helpful suggestions, and when to simply hold space. I felt safe, empowered, and deeply cared for throughout the entire experience. We truly cannot imagine our birth without her. If you are looking for a doula who is compassionate, skilled, and able to bring calm to any situation, Grace is exactly who you want by your side. We are forever grateful.

Keely, Ed, Hallie & Lennie (Birth Clients)

All Encompassing Birth Package

Your investment: £2995

This is the crème de la crème birth package. My highest level of doula support. Highly recommended to first time parents or those who just want to feel deeply supported & prioritised, you will get everything you would in the anchored package, but more!

WHAT'S INCLUDED

With unlimited support over the phone from pregnancy day dot to 12 weeks postpartum, this is the complete encompassing package for you as new parents.

BOOK YOUR CONNECTION CALL

Private Birth Prep Course with Virtual Doula Support AKA ‘Grace in your pocket’

Your investment: £1400

This bespoke course offers you an all-round birth education & safe place to go for support over the phone, whenever you need it. You can book onto this course anytime from your 20-week scan, which enables a time to build connection, educate, signpost & build those positive birth plans together. This package can be flexible & we can adapt the sessions to suit you. Should you want to book me as your in-person birth doula after embarking on this package (subject to your location!), we can easily upgrade you to one of the above packages if I have space in my birth calendar month to do so.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

BOOK YOUR SUPPORT TODAY

Extra services with Cradled By Grace

Did you know I also offer...

A Birth Debrief

£80 (60 minutes)

Sometimes all you need is somebody to listen and actually hear you. This is a gently held space entirely dedicated to you, where you can begin to process your emotions, talk through your birth in your own words & receive the validation you need as you begin the healing process.

BOOK YOUR BIRTH DEBRIEF

Additional Postnatal Sessions

£80 (2 hours minimum) - exclusive to birth clients

If you’re not ready to let go of your dedicated doula support, book your additional postnatal sessions here. I would love to continue to support you with any of the following: nutritious meals, newborn baby care and/or practical tasks around the house. I can visit your home in 2 or 4 hour slots during the working week (maximum 6 blocks of 2 hours)

BOOK SESSIONS HERE

Extra services with Cradled By Grace