Welcome to my website and congratulations on your pregnancy!

My name is Himalee and it was in 2007, while I was pregnant and eagerly researching how to have a calm and peaceful birth, that I came across the word 'doula'. A doula is a woman, trained and experienced in childbirth who provides emotional, physical and informational support to a mother and her partner, before, during and after the birth of their baby.

The statistics on hiring a doula were hard to ignore. Having a doula support you during your pregnancy and birth can decrease your chance of a caesarean by 50% and reduce your length of labour by 25%. You are also 60% less likely to ask for an epidural and have a 30% reduction in the use of forceps. If you think a doula is a new concept, it isn't. In nearly every culture throughout history, women have been surrounded and cared for by other women during childbirth.  

I went on to have a calm, peaceful homebirth with a doula and my husband supporting me, alongside some great NHS community midwives. Read about my birth story here. Both before and following the birth of my own daughter, I helped friends and colleagues with their own pregnancies and birth experiences, and it was their suggestion that I should look into doing this 'for real'. I have now made the move from full time employee to trainee doula and feel privileged to have trained with Dr Michel Odent, the world renowned French obstetrician who created the concept of birthing pools and home-like birthing rooms in hospitals, and the truly inspirational Liliana Lammers of Paramana Doula. And am working towards full recognition with Doula UK.

I passionately believe that women have the innate ability to birth their babies, and that it can be a positive, rewarding and empowering experience for both you and your partner with additional longer term benefits for both mother and baby. Please do feel free to contact me with any questions you may have. The birth of a baby is a wonderful, emotional and physicaI journey, regardless of the method of birth.... and I would be delighted to support you as your birth doula during your pregnancy, labour and beyond.

Let's speak soon!

Himalee