Kirstie

About me

Hi, I’m Kirstie, a recognised Birth and Postnatal Doula, specialising in supporting families who are navigating pregnancy, birth, and the postnatal period while carrying the weight of trauma. This may be related to previous birth experiences, pregnancy or baby loss, domestic violence, childhood trauma, or other life events that continue to affect your perinatal journey.

My role is to help you feel safe, supported, loved, and powerful, so that you can move through this transformative time with your mental health intact, building positive memories and confidence as you grow into parenthood.

I live in Ongar, Essex with my husband Steve, our wonderful 7-year-old daughter, and my 16-year-old stepson. Family life brings me joy and grounding, and I carry that same warmth into the families I support.

Who I work with

I work with all birthing women, people and families, and I am passionate about inclusivity and diversity. I proudly support LGBTQIA+ families, neurodivergence,  surrogacy journeys, single parents, disability, and families of all backgrounds, ethnicities and cultures. Whoever you are, and whatever your story, you deserve to feel respected, heard, and supported.

My roles & experience

In addition to working with families, I’m also a Birth Doula Mentor for Doula UK and the Area Rep for Essex. I’m a former member of the Doula UK leadership team, where I worked as Partnership Coordinator.

My passion for improving maternity services led me to serve as Chair for the Mid & South Essex Maternity & Neonatal Voices Partnership. This gave me a deep understanding of how local maternity services work, and strengthened my commitment to making sure your voice is heard. After all, the maternity system is here for you, and your experiences are essential in shaping it.

I also have a special interest in perinatal mental health, and I’m currently studying towards my Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling (CPCAB/BACP) to qualify as a Perinatal Counsellor and Trauma Therapist in 2026.

My approach

I’m passionate about pregnancy, birth and birth rights, but most of all, about supporting you. I want every woman or birthing person I work with to feel powerful in making informed decisions about their care.

You have choices in maternity care. It’s your body and your baby, and I’ll support you in navigating the system so that your wishes are respected. I don’t tell you what to do or judge your decisions, I simply provide evidence-based research, practical tools, and emotional support, so that your journey feels like it truly belongs to you.

Birth doula for trauma

I specialise in supporting people whose pregnancy, birth or postnatal period may be affected by trauma. This may be previous birth trauma, loss, abuse, or non-birth related trauma such as childhood experiences that affect the journey to parenthood.

My aim is to walk beside you before, during, and after birth, offering:

• Physical support: comfort measures, optimal foetal positioning, active positions and movement, use of props
• Emotional support: reassurance, affirmations, and helping you feel safe, trigger planning, nervous system regulation, partner support
• Practical support: advocacy with staff, guiding your birth partner, and keeping the environment calm and grounded.
• During labour, you’ll have access to my birth pools, Elle TENS machines, aromatherapy kit, birth and peanut balls, rebozo and the contents of my famous doula bag.

I support all birth types: hospital, home, birth centre, VBAC, caesarean, water birth, birth after loss, surrogacy, LGBTQAI+ families, physiological birth, trauma affected birth, and births with any kind of pain relief or none at all!

As a pregnancy yoga teacher, I can also help with active birthing...did you know giving birth in an upright position can open your pelvis by up to 30%? With birth balls, props, gravity, and movement, we can work with your body to make birth as positive and empowering as possible.

Postnatal trauma doula

The postnatal period can feel daunting, especially if you’ve experienced trauma before. I offer trauma informed postnatal care, which can start from day one after birth or later, depending on when you feel you need support.

This may include:

• Listening and emotional support, drawing on my counselling training
• Feeding support (breast or formula)
• Gentle guidance around baby care, sleep, and routines (baby-led)
• Light household support to give you space to rest
• Caring for older children or even walking the dog, so you can focus on your recovery and bonding with your baby
• Holding your baby while you shower, nap, or simply take a breath

My goal is to help you regain confidence and stability, day by day, in your new role as a parent.

Workshops & programmes

If a full doula package isn’t right for you, I also offer trauma informed birth education workshops and programmes. Each includes a comprehensive guide (up to 170 pages) filled with evidence based information and practical tips.

❤️ Hypnobirthing & Birth Preparation Programme
🩵 Birth Preparation Workshop
💚 Breech Choices & Moxibustion Workshop
💛 VBAC Preparation Workshop
💜 Caesarean Birth Workshop
🧡 Birth After Trauma Preparation Programme
💙 Birth & Postnatal Planning Workshop
🩷 Home Birth Workshop

I have created these workshops and the accompanying guides over years of working with families and they are designed to help you feel calm, confident, and prepared.

Qualifications & training

I am certified with FEDANT (Federation of Antenatal Educators), fully insured, and hold a current enhanced DBS check. I regularly attend professional training and networking events to keep my practice current and evidence-based.

• Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling (CPCAB/BACP) to qualify 2026
• Birth and Postnatal Doula with Birth Bliss Academy
• Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Domestic Violence (NCFE CACHE)
• Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies (CPCAB)
• Yoga for Trauma, Anxiety and Depression, including Yoga Nidra with Anjali Yoga
• Hypnobirthing Teacher certificate with KGHypnobirthing
• Moxibustion for Breech Presentation with Expectancy
• TBR 3 Step Rewind for Perinatal and birth trauma with TBR College
• BTEC National Diploma in Childhood Studies
• Breastfeeding Peer Supporter for Barnardo’s Virgin Care
• Biomechanics for Birth with Molly O’Brien at Optimal Birth
• EDEXCEL level 2 & 3 BTEC certificates in life coaching – specialising in women’s health
• Aromatherapy for Childbirth (RCM accredited)
• Holistic Sleep Coach Certificate with Lyndsey Hookway
• Pregnancy, Postnatal, Mother & Baby Yoga with Sally Parks Yoga (85 hours)
• Yoga teacher training with Yoga Teacher Training Essex (200 hours)
• Advanced Postnatal Yoga Teacher Training with Sally Parks Yoga (25 hours)
• Hot Yoga Teacher Training with 121 Urban Hot Yoga
• Yoga & Mindfulness for Pregnancy & Birth with Nadia Raafat (100 hours)
• Antenatal and Birth Preparation Workshop with Birth Bliss Academy
• Waterbirth during Covid19 – Keeping midwives, mothers & babies’ safe certificate by Dianne Garland.
• Beyond Bea Training in Baby Loss
• Anatomy and Physiology Certificate for Exercise Professionals
• NCFE CACHE Level 2 Certificate in Mental Health First Aid
• Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE’s) and Early Trauma Certificate
• Understanding the Infant Microbiome Certificate
• Full DBS check and certificate
• Safeguarding Children level 2 Certificate Anxiety – Helping Children to Cope Certificate
• Addressing Postnatal Depression as a Health Care Professional Certificate
• Domestic Violence & Abuse (DVA): Identifying & responding to DVA in Pregnancy, Birth & Beyond.

The right fit

Choosing a doula is a very personal decision. I’m open, warm, and adaptable, but if I feel another doula may be a better match for your unique needs, I’ll always be honest. My priority is that you find the right support for you.

Let’s connect
I’d love to hear from you. We can have an informal chat over the phone or meet for a cup of tea, there’s no pressure to book.

Your journey is unique. I would be honoured to walk alongside you.