Caroline Spear Doula Services
Empathetic and empowering support for mothers and families
For over 30 years, I’ve been helping mums in West Sussex, Hampshire and across the UK to have the pregnancy and birth they dream of.
Conceiving a baby, pregnancy, birth, recovery and adjusting to a newborn are all life-changing events where I can assist by removing some of the challenges and being your ally.
Ready to start our journey together? Get in touch here
Would you like to learn more about my doula services?
Please read on:
My role as a doula
As a doula, my role is to provide you with the practical and emotional support that is often missing from maternity care. I’m also here to be the link between you and your health professionals.
Mothers are my first priority. I listen to your needs and wishes, and support your physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. I know how vulnerable you can feel during birth, and how important it is to have an advocate who can speak up for you during labour. I’m here to give you non-judgemental, unconditional support – that’s a doula’s role.
However, I’m also here to support your family unit – whatever form it may take! I support mums and dads to be, and partners to form a supportive team. Regardless of it being your first or fourth baby, at home or in hospital.
Whatever your circumstances, from VBAC or HBAC, to c-section or water birth, I put you first and listen to your needs.
Here to support your needs
I can also offer support with your maternal health and nutrition. My knowledge of holistic therapies, nutrition, homeopathy and placenta remedies [link] mean that I can give you the best treatments that work in harmony with your hard-working body.
Why use a doula?
The word “doula” comes from ancient Greek, meaning “a woman who serves” – and that is exactly what I’m here to do. Doulas help mothers in multiple ways, and there is a growing body of evidence in support of our services*. Having a doula can help:
- reduce the risk of Caesarean birth
- reduce the risk of instrumental birth
- reduce the need for painkillers or epidural
- reduce the likelihood of induction
- increase your satisfaction with the birth experience
- increase the likelihood of successful breastfeeding
*source https://doula.org.uk/
How Does it Work With a Doula?
Ante-natal doula support
During your pregnancy, I’ll be on hand to share my experience, listen to your needs, help you to liaise with your health professionals and discuss your plans, to empower you to express your wishes and get your choices met.
To help you have the most comfortable pregnancy and labour, I will teach you methods from “Birthing Better” – practical skills for an easier, relaxed and more controlled birth – and “Spinning Babies” – an approach which uses proactive exercises to soothe your body during pregnancy, and position baby in the optimal position for birth.
I’m also here to teach you breathing techniques, explain what to expect from your pregnancy and birth, help you explore your options and know your rights. I’m also here for assertiveness coaching, to discuss life with a newborn baby, show you feeding techniques and advise you on your own self-care. Above all, I want you to feel you are in control, so you are making truly informed choices.
Support during birth
Around the time of your due date, I will block out a 4-week period when I am on standby. This means you can call me any time, day or night, when labour starts. I will then stay with you until after your baby is born.
I stay throughout labour until after the birth, not leaving until either you are settled on the post-natal ward or back in your own bed. If you choose a home birth, I’ll be there to help with clearing up and tidying away, giving your family time and space to be together during these important first hours.
I’m also here to help you during emergencies or for unexpected early arrivals!
Post-natal support
Childbirth can often happen in a whirlwind where you aren’t quite sure what went on. Post-natal visits are a time when we can debrief your birth, giving you the opportunity to talk through your memories, thoughts, feelings and experiences. I can also help with baby care, breast or bottle feeding, housework, cooking, anything which supports you in your recovery. I’ll also bring you a nourishing meal to aid you in your post birth recovery. Visits can be up to 4 hours, depending on your needs.
Where I cover
I’m available to offer information, support and guidance not just in my local area, but also remotely. Whether that’s in West Sussex, Hampshire, across the UK or indeed the world.
Planning to birth in hospital?
I will attend births at St Richards, Chichester. Worthing Hospital, Worthing. Queen Alexandra, Portsmouth.
For homebirths and freebirths I cover anywhere within an hours drive of Bognor Regis.
What My lovely Clients are saying about my Doula services:
“With your support, I was able to have another glorious birth, at the ripe age of 41!”
“Nick and I hired a doula because we wanted additional support on our birthing journey and having Caroline’s assistance was a huge blessing. She provided physical and emotional support, helped us improve our birth plan and spent time educating us about the several stages of labour, delivery options and breastfeeding.”
“From the moment we met Caroline, we were very comfortable around her. She was knowledgeable, experienced and able to answer all our questions. The love for her work helped us to feel more comfortable the closer we got to the delivery date.”
Have a question? See my FAQs here, and if you can’t find the answer, below is a handy contact form you can fill in that comes straight to my inbox.
Doula Packages
Doula 1
- Homeopathic online treatment
- 4 consultations during pregnancy
- Available by phone throughout your labour for Homeopathic support and for 2 weeks postpartum
- Includes a Homeopathic remedy kit to keep
Doula 2
- A minimum of 4 Antenatal visits to include:
- Birth Debrief
- Exploring hopes and fears
- Preparing for labour
- Birth plans
- Life with baby / The growing family
- Loan of birthing pool
- Homeopathic treatment during birth and postpartum
- On-call support and being with you during your labour, birth and immediately afterwards.
- Placenta Encapsulation
- 4 large delicious, nutritious, home-cooked meals for mother and partner.
- 2 After birth visits (2-4 hours each ) to talk through your birth, support you with baby, rest, light housework, laundry and cooking so you can sleep, have a bath, and do what you need to do during this time.
Doula Services Menu
Additional Services
VBAC debriefing. This meeting is to debrief your VBAC and work out strategies for you to avoid a repeat caesarean for the same reason as your next birth.
Please contact me to discuss the right services for you, and tell me all about your ideal pregnancy, birth and post-natal recovery. I’m here to help.
If you have Questions - Contact Caroline
