Guest Blog - What is a Doula
We are so pleased to welcome Samantha Adams, The South Downs Doula, to be part of the Be:Poised Pilates Community. Samantha is a Doula, Hypnobirthing Instructor and has trained in the fascinating Biomechanics for Birth. Samantha will be joining us on set Tuesdays to deliver some free taster talks. We also have plans in the pipeline for more detailed talks, workshops and courses with Sam.
To introduce her to you properly, I asked Sam to tell us a little more about herself and help readers to understand what a Doula is, and how flexible their role can be based on each individual’s needs. Over to Sam…
My name is Sam and I am the South Downs Doula. I support women, their partners and families through pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period in whatever way they need.
I am also an accredited hypnobirthing instructor offering in-person full antenatal education courses that incorporate everything hypnobirthing can offer, including all the techniques and tools you need to ensure a positive birthing experience.
My birth work involves educating and supporting women and their partners to make informed and empowered decisions about their upcoming birth experience. I can help you learn more about any aspect of birth, whether it’s practising helpful positions and comfort measures, specific conditions and complications, c-section preparation, or recommending local specialists and complimentary services.
Wherever and however you choose to birth your baby, I will be there guiding and supporting you both, helping you to advocate for yourselves and providing a continuity of gentle loving care that many healthcare providers no longer have the capacity to offer.
Postnatal work is a wonderful aspect of my job and I love taking care of new mums in their own homes, and helping the family as they adjust to life with a new addition. Recovery from birth and preserving the dyad between mum and baby is not taken nearly seriously enough in our culture and I really enjoying introducing this idea to new mums and helping them get the rest and love and care that they deserve during this precious and important time.
How you feel during your pregnancy, birth and initial postnatal period can have profound and long lasting effects on many aspects of your life. Being properly cared for and listened to during these transformative experiences can contribute to - among other things - bonding well with your baby, stronger relationships with those around you and a more loving and caring relationship with yourself. All of these things have an undeniably positive effect on your experience as a mother, and on your life moving forward.
In short, everything I offer aims to support you and your family as you journey through pregnancy and birth, transitioning into motherhood during the fourth trimester. I work to make sure you feel heard, held, nourished and respected throughout this crucial period of vulnerability, change and growth.
About the Author:
Samantha Adams is a Birth and Postnatal Doula, supporting women and their families through pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period. It is her very strong belief that every woman deserves to be heard, held and lovingly supported through all aspects of becoming a mother.
Samantha completed her training with Kicki Hansard, the founder of the Birth Bliss Academy and is also a member of Doula UK. She is fully insured and DBS checked with Infant First Aid training. Samantha is trained in Biomechanics for Birth and has a diploma in KGHypnobirthing, offering warm and engaging group courses in hypnobirthing locally as well as offering private sessions.
The South Downs Doula website details her Birth and Postnatal Packages, and she is always open to creating something more bespoke and tailored to your needs. She can also provide Nighttime Support.
Samantha is based in the village of Westbourne near Emsworth, where she lives with her husband and her two young daughters. She loves cooking and trying new food, going to the theatre, and she adores a good book and a cup of tea!