Birth & Postpartum Doula in Southwest London supporting ex pats and integrating  communities. 

I was born in Nepal in the late 1970s while my parents were working there in community development. My arrival into the world was far from ordinary. I was born prematurely in a simple tin Nissen hut, and because I was so small, my mum kept me warm through constant skin-to-skin contact. With limited medical equipment available, her body became my incubator. She used gas and air for pain relief, supported by the people around her.

 

In the village where we lived, birth was not hidden away behind closed doors. Life happened on verandas, and community members were part of everyday moments and milestones. When a woman had a baby, other women in the village would step in to care for her for forty days. They cooked, cleaned, and ensured the new mother could rest and recover while bonding with her baby. Growing up surrounded by this culture of women supporting women had a lasting influence on how I view birth and motherhood.

 

Later in life, my own experiences of pregnancy, birth, and parenting deepened my understanding of how important support can be for families. I am a mother of four children, and each birth brought its own challenges and lessons. One of my births involved shoulder dystocia, a situation where a baby’s shoulders become stuck during delivery. It was an intense experience that required calm support and quick thinking from the people around me. Moments like these helped me understand how important it is for parents to feel informed, supported, and reassured throughout pregnancy and birth.

 

Alongside the joys of motherhood, I have also experienced loss through miscarriage and the emotional challenges that can come with fertility struggles. These experiences shaped my compassion for families navigating difficult journeys to parenthood.

 

My family life has also included caring for babies through fostering, which allowed me to support vulnerable infants and their families during important transitions. Those experiences strengthened my understanding of the early needs of newborns and the emotional realities faced by many parents.

 

Like many mothers, I have also navigated common but challenging postpartum experiences, including breastfeeding difficulties and mastitis. These moments gave me insight into how valuable encouragement, reassurance, and practical support can be during the early weeks after birth.

 

All of these experiences eventually led me to become a doula. My goal is to support families as they prepare for birth, helping them feel informed, confident, and respected in their choices. I have had the privilege of supporting many families through pregnancy, labour, and the early weeks with a newborn. My work often involves helping parents navigate the healthcare system, understand their options, and feel empowered throughout their journey.

 

I have also worked with families from different cultural backgrounds, including those who may be new to the UK. Supporting expat families has shown me how important it is to provide reassurance and guidance when navigating a healthcare system that may feel unfamiliar.

 

Community has always been at the heart of my approach. Inspired by the supportive environment I grew up in, I am passionate about creating spaces where parents can connect and share their experiences. I have helped run groups for mothers and young children, where parents can build friendships, talk openly about the realities of parenting, and find encouragement from others walking a similar path.

 

Birth is a powerful and deeply personal experience. I believe parents deserve to feel heard, respected, and supported throughout the process. My role as a doula is not to replace medical care but to provide continuous emotional and practical support. This might include helping parents prepare for birth, supporting them during labour, encouraging partner involvement, and providing reassurance in the early days after a baby arrives.

 

I understand that every family’s journey is unique. Whether parents are planning a hospital birth, home birth, or exploring different options, my aim is always to help them feel calm, informed, and confident in their decisions.

 

From pregnancy preparation to postnatal recovery, I am passionate about walking alongside families during one of the most transformative times in their lives. My experiences as a mother, foster carer, and doula have shown me how powerful compassionate support can be. Birth should never feel like something that happens to you, but rather an experience where you feel supported, respected, and empowered every step of the way.