Midwifery Support.
I am passionate about providing you with the support that you need to positively prepare and adjust to becoming a parent, whether this is your first time or not. With only a fifth of women seeing the same midwife throughout their pregnancy, I can provide you with the time, consistency and experience that you deserve.
My modus operandi isn’t to tell you what to do, but to arm you with the information you need to help you to weigh up your options and find the solution that is right for you, your baby and your family.
You set the frequency of our contact and decide what we cover and how this is best delivered for you.
I tailor my support to your needs – for some of you a one-off virtual consultation may be enough to ask all your questions, for others a more comprehensive support package will work best.
The below offers examples of the ways in which I can support you. This list is not exhaustive so please get in touch so we can discuss your individual needs.
How I can help you.
Consistent and regular support
The evidence is unwavering when it comes to the positive impact that regular and consistent support has on both your experience and outcomes of pregnancy. I am on hand when you need and will be the constant and reassuring voice you're looking for. I provide WhatsApp support from the moment you book for care with me, so I really am alongside you all the way.
Understanding your options
Whether you’re booked privately or with the NHS, many of you will feel confused about your options. Should you go private? What are you/ aren’t you ‘allowed’? Can you decline something that you’ve been recommended? Want something that you’ve been told is 'out of guidance'? Feel like you’ve been recommended or fear-mongered into an intervention based on numbers rather that you as a person? I will discuss the topics that are pertinent to you in depth, without time pressure or agenda, focussing on the most recent and up-to-date evidence.
Labour and birth preparation
It’s a good idea to consider all the different scenarios that might happen when considering your options for birth rather than fixating on only one desired outcome. I have the time, knowledge and experience to discuss the areas you need more information, such as where to give birth, pain relief options, types of birth and how best to prepare for when things don't go to 'plan'. See the FAQ section for more information on the content of these sessions.
Mental wellbeing
As a specialist midwife for mental health, I am experienced and confident in discussing any concerns that you have about your mental health and can support and sign post you to appropriate services or mental health professionals if needed. Getting to know you during your pregnancy uniquely places me to support you once home with your baby as I have the added benefit of already knowing you, your hopes and thresholds.
Previous poor or traumatic experience
If you have experienced a poor journey through the maternity system before, or have had a traumatic birth, I’m sorry that this happened to you. I have extensive experience in this field with my NHS role as specialist midwife for mental health and will listen and work with you to identify the areas you feel you need more support with this time round. Having someone who knows you and your pregnancy will improve your experience, and we can work together to maximise a positive outcome.
Support person
Want to know how to provide the best support you can? Or have lots of questions and worries that you want to talk about? I can provide a safe and supportive space to discuss anything you want and help prepare you both emotionally and practically so that you’re ready to support and help your partner in meaningful ways.
Living abroad
If you are living abroad and are unsure of the maternity pathway ahead, I can discuss what the likely care would entail for you here in the UK. I can help you to frame questions for your healthcare provider to ensure you receive high quality international care and can provide reassuring support virtually.
Navigating the system
I have a unique vantage point as both an NHS and private midwife in being able to help you navigate the often confusing, frustrating, and sometimes inconsistent pathways, opinions and recommendations by the NHS. I will support you to advocate for yourself and enhance your experience through the system.
Advocacy
Having a positive birth experience is one of the most important factors in helping you transition to becoming a parent. Being able to advocate for yourself during your pregnancy, labour, birth and once home with your baby is an important skill to learn. I will make sure you’re equipped with the skills to advocate for yourself and are confident to ask questions and further important discussions for you and your family. Being, and feeling, fully informed and part of the decision-making processes will increase the chance that you have a positive birth experience.
Postnatal planning; life at home with your baby
Having continuity with someone you know can significantly improve your confidence in the early days of new parenthood. Being prepared for the reality of the first few weeks at home with your newborn is key to helping you find your way through the rollercoaster. I will help you develop a ‘postnatal plan’ for the first few weeks and talk you through normal newborn behaviour and how they work/ what to expect. I can also go through the endless baby lists, and help you figure out what you do and don’t need!
Feeding support
Whatever you feeding choice is, I will fully support and prepare you. As a lactation consultant and specialist midwife in mental health I have the skills to support you comprehensively, realistically and compassionately. I don’t believe that goals should be pursued at all costs and will help guide you where you need. See Lactation Services for more information.
Previous pregnancy loss or stillbirth
I’m truly sorry for the loss and pain you’ve gone through. I provide nurturing and compassionate support for everyone who has experienced the tragic loss of a baby. My extensive experience in this area with the NHS and familiar presence will help to contain your anxiety and guide you through the journey of a new pregnancy and baby. I understand that attending antenatal classes a second time around when you’ve lost a baby is incomprehensible. I can provide sensitively delivered bespoke sessions to cover the areas that you feel you need focussing on.
Grandparents-to-be
Navigating your way through becoming grandparents for the first time is tricky. I can help prepare you with a virtual session to consider the potential pitfalls and ensure that you feel able to support positively in your new role. We look at current baby care and safety recommendations and think ahead to potential areas of conflict (well-meaning advice is often perceived as criticism by a tired new parent!), and how to avoid them. If you’re going to prepare yourself, then why not consider offering my support to your child as well as they get ready to become a parent themselves? You can purchase consultations on their behalf; I’d be delighted to support you all.
Collaboration with other professionals
Over the years I have forged excellent working relationships with a number of private colleagues whom I can refer you if needed. If you’re already working with another professional, then I can work alongside them and provide midwifery input to help develop a personalised and supportive birth plan for you. I am happy to join virtual sessions and will include this in your bespoke package. Examples of these include women’s specialist physio, consultant obstetrician, GP, specialist chiropractor, clinical psychologist, consultant perinatal psychiatrist, specialist osteopath, paediatric dentist, tongue-tie practitioner, paediatrician, holistic sleep coach.
Prices.
Consultations can be booked individually or combined to form part of a bespoke package of care. Combinations are created to suit your individual need (see Package Examples below).
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Virtual consultation (1hr) - £105 (£95 if two or more booked)
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Antenatal home visit (2hrs) - £325
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Initial postnatal home visit (2hrs) - £325
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Follow up postnatal home visit (1.5hrs) - £250
​​​​​All packages come with WhatsApp support Mon-Fri 8am - 6pm.
Local discount offered to those in SW6 for home visits.
Comprehensive support
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​x 3 virtual consultations (split into x 6 30 min catch ups)
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x 2 home visits between 32-36 weeks
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Labour and birth scenario planning (or caesarean section if relevant)
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Breastfeeding preparation and newborn physiology
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Developing a postnatal plan for the first weeks at home
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x 3 home visits once home with your baby
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Birth debrief and getting feeding off to the best start
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Follow up for you and baby and a feeding review
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Looking ahead - setting you up for the next few months
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Total: £2,085​​