Joanne Sieber

My Doula dream was started by an overwhelming sense to support families and new mums. It is something that has been a continuous thread and passion for me since becoming a Mum myself. After a difficult start to my own journey in motherhood, where services and support felt so limited, I had an overwhelming sense to give support to new mums and make their experience more positive.

My journey began when I started as a Homestart volunteer in 2010, a charity supporting families in need with young children. In that time I attended a breastfeeding workshop and my love for supporting and empowering mums and babies was fulfilled. I became a breastfeeding peer support worker at my local hospital on the postnatal ward, where I helped and supported mums in their first few hours/days following birth,  helping initiate breastfeeding and providing encouragement and support to new parents. This led on to me volunteering at my local children’s centre and as a volunteer at my local school. As a breastfeeding support worker, I was later asked to join the Children’s Centre team as a permanent paid employee. I was delighted! I got stuck in and really enjoyed the work. I helped facilitate antenatal sessions for local parents and trained as a baby massage instructor and regularly taught parents baby massage. I also have helped facilitate and run various parenting courses, antenatal feeding workshops and interactive sessions for Mums and their babies/children. Being a Doula and also working previously for many years  in Early Years Education as a Teaching Assistant means I get to be part of those very first weeks.....from being born and then transitioning into education for the very first time. I am a nurturer at heart and I openly offer you my own experiences of being a mum and working with numerous families over the years. For me the sense of complete joy at being able to support and nurture you as parents and your baby/babies on your journey is exciting and, above all, being with you to share your amazing experience….the first few days and weeks of having a baby means transition for you and the whole family and as you enter this journey into parenthood I will support you and your family. One of the most simplest, most effective ways of support is just being there to listen, someone to offload to and most of all be present with you, giving emotional support, active listening and encouragement to feel confident in your new role as parents. I am patient and kind and I will give you the choices which best meets your needs. I can provide evidence based information and signposting of information where needed. As someone who has worked with local families for years I can also share with you my knowledge of recommended specialists such as cranial osteopaths, baby groups, reflexology etc. I am married to Peter and have 2 daughters born 1998 & 2003. I was born and raised in Hillingdon. My background before I had my girls was mainly office based secretarial work. I knew early on that once I had a family I would venture into more community based work. When my youngest went into full time school this is when my journey started. I love all things creative – I love to face paint at children's parties when I have time, tend to my garden, and most of all I love being outdoors and taking my beloved cockapoo dog Albert for long walks. I have supported 100’s of new parents within my various roles over the last ten years guiding, advising and most of all, listening to concerns that they may have and encouraging them with utmost sensitivity and confidence to move forward.  I offer Mothers help support too especially during the toddler years when you need extra pair of hands and I also provide Doula  sibling support for when you have go to hospital to give birth or if an unexpected emergency arises. As a Postnatal Doula here are  some of the things I offer  :

• Emotional and practical support
• Look after baby while you shower, rest, go for walk, or take timeout for yourself
• Signpost useful information
• Provide nutritious meals for all the family
• Light housework – empty dishwasher, clothes washing, tidying etc.
• Dog walking
• Running errands
• Listen to your concerns or answer any questions you may have

I offer sibling care if you have to have a stay in hospital or if suddenly an unexpected situation arises. I offer mothers help when you need an extra pair of hands with a newborn or if you have toddlers. Short and long term options available.

If you would like to find out more about me and see if we connect,  please get in touch for a no obligation meet up.