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Support for pregnancy, birthing & postnatal families
Doula for antenatal, birth and the early weeks with your baby.
What is a doula?
A doula is a non-medical, trained professional person who supports people times of change. They offer emotional and practical support to families that can be tailored to their unique needs. Often, they have complimentary skills and knowlege that can help you navigate the big changes in your life.
'However much we know about birth in general, we know nothing about a particular birth. We must let it unfold with its own uniqueness.'
Elizabeth Noble
'I do not care what kind of birth you have... a homebirth, scheduled cesarean , or if you birth alone in the woods next to baby deer.
I care that you had options, that you were supported in your choices, and that you were respected.'January Harshe
'A woman in birth is at once her most powerful and most vulnerable. But any woman who has birthed unhindered understands that we are stronger than we know.
Marcie Macari
"Experience of the phenomenal capacity of our birthing body can give us an enduring sense of our own power. Birth is the beginning of life; the beginning of mothering, and of fathering.
We all deserve a good beginning."Sarah Buckley
Hello, I'm Emilie
I have been working with birthing families for over 15 years, running pregnancy yoga and antenatal classes as supporting some families as a doula / birth coach. I offer emotional, physical, life admin and soul support during pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period.
My passion lies in helping individuals find ease amidst life's transitions. I guide them through informed decision-making, blending embodied awareness with evidence-based information. Ultimately, my goal is to empower individuals by helping them frind the knowledge and confidence to make choices aligned with their own values and wishes.
"Emilie's hypnobirthing sessions really helped me to prepare for the birth of my second child. She has a very calm and warm approach. As a doula, Emilie was willing to be flexible to our circumstances, and provided childcare for our 3 year old while we were having the birth in hospital. This meant my partner was able to come to the birth, as we had no other childcare. Emilie was always available to offer support, either through a visit, a phonecall, or sending helpful links and research to help me make informed decisions about the birth. I would highly recommend her as a doula and hypnobirthing teacher."
- Jade
Relaxed Birth & Parenting Doula and Childbirth Educator
9-month training with Dominique Sakoilsky, 2008.
Know exactly who is going to support you through your pregnancy and birth.
31% decrease in the risk of being dissatisfied with your birth experience when supported by a doula.
39% decrease in Caesaerean rates with continuous doula support.
15% more likely to have a spontaneous vaginal birth with doula support
38% decrease in the baby’s risk of a low five minute Apgar score after a birth supported by a doula.
Birth support your way...
what options with me might look like
Antenatal sessions and preparing to meet your baby
On-call birth support
After baby arrives
More about me...
I'd love to support you through the body, mind and emotional transition into parenthood. Whether it's all new to you or you're growing your family, an extra pair of hands, a familiar face and an non-judgemental listener can make a big difference.
I'm mum to 2 boys and am passionate about geeky stuff like anatomy and embodiment (how we inhabit our bodies) & ideally how we can use those things together for a more full experience in this here life. I love taking a holistic approach, but I'm not hippified, I was raised by scientists and I like facts and logic.
I love cake (eating and baking), vintage stuff, dancing and ginger tea. If you're looking for a birth or postnatal doula please have a read and get in touch if you'd like to meet for a chat.
My training
Slightly addicted to doing courses, these are some of her trainings & experience over the past 15 years or so...
• 9 month training as a Doula and childbirth educator with Relaxed Birth & Parenting
• Advanced Biomechanics for Birth
• Certificate of Embodiment Coaching - 2021
• Movement Ecology for Pregnancy and Postnatal - Katy Bowman (Biomechanics)
• 200 hour Yoga Teacher
• Pregnancy and Postnatal Yoga Teacher Training with Nadia Narain
• Nurturing Birth Doula Training
• CPD with Michel Odent 'Birth Reborn'
• Natal Hypnotherapy Study Day
• Birth Crisis workshop with Sheila Kitzinger
• Homebirth Conference 2016 with Ina May Gaskin
• MotherMassage pre and postnatal massage training with Elaine Stillerman
• Dancing for Birth®
• Positive Birth Movement Facilitator
• NCT trained breastfeeding peer supporter
• Franklin Method Pelvic Fascia Trainer, 2021
• Birth Prep in a Box Hypnobirthing Facilitator training, 2023
• Embodied Coaching and Trauma Coach certification with Embodiment Unlimited, 2023
• White Ribbon Alliance - Free From Harm trauma prevention training, 2023
When I'm not doing calm, grounded, caring, earthy stuff, I'm also a pro-hula hooper and I teach people how to do fancy tricks with plastic circles. I have an online DBS that you are welcome to check online and can provide references.
Maternity leave packages & 'overdue' doula support
MATERNITY LEAVE RETREAT PACKAGES
The first part of the rite of passage of birth is the separation from normal daily life. While it's beneficial to carry on with activities, many people find it helpful to have some things booked in that are restful and help promote oxytocin, wellbeing and feelings of safety. Whether you're planning a mini-retreat for yourself, looking for a gift for a friend or colleague or are finding that you still have some background worries that you'd like to talk about with a birth coach/ doula - this can be a great, flexible option offering you the time and space you need for the last bits of mind and body preparation before you meet your baby.
POST-DATES DOULA
I also offer support for going past due dates. 20-25% of people will still be pregnant in the 41st week, and it can be helpful to explore your options and optimise your mental and physical wellbeing for labour. Having more ease and relaxation, as well as help sourcing balanced information can be invaluable at this point in pregnancy.
- online and in Frome, Bradford-on-Avon, Bath and Bristol -
Birth & Postnatal Doula Support in Frome
Ways to work together. We can chat about in-between options too...
Postnatal visits can be added or booked separately to a birth package.
I normally only cover births that are in Frome itself. If you're further away, I do have online doula support packages too.
Essentials Birth Support
£1200.00
2 antenatal sessions
on call for your birth
2 postnatal sessions
Embodied Doula Support
£2000.00
5 x antenatal sessions
- on call for your birth -
5 x postnatal sessions
4 x Embodied Coaching sessions
This packages offers space for more exploration into biomechanics movement, optimal positioning, massage and embodied coaching.Postnatal Plan
£375.00
15 hours postnatal care
Can be short check-ins or up to up to several hours long
(Frome only)• 1 visit before birth to plan for postpartum
• Phone / whatsapp support
optional extras and discounts
Hypnobirthing, Massage and Movement are not included as a full birth preparation within my offering as a doula but I do offer clients a discount on any of those options with me. That said, these practtices do inform how I work with people and where my experience lies.
Online support
and shorter options...
EARLY DAYS ⚘
For the first timester.
Would you like space to acknowledge your pregnancy, explore self care and gentle movement?
- 3 sessions online -
(massage available in person in Frome only)
Perfect if:
• You're not ready to join classes or perhaps tell people about your pregnancy.
• Maybe you've experienced past loss or traums
• You'd like tips for posture, movement and alignment that fit early pregnancy.
CLOSE TO DATES ♡
3 sessions for the in-between days to help you stay rested, embodied and calm. Brilliant if this is your first birth, or if you are likely to go 'overdue'.
⋆☽ TEN MOONS ☾⋆
This package is for those looking for some ongoing support through their pregnancy (and into postpartum).
• 10 sessions over 10 months
- online support -
15 hours of bespoke online sessions which could include: movement - antenatal education - embodiment coaching - hypnobirthing - meditation.
£888
© 2024 - Emilie J Rowell / the body doula