Empathy Births
Supporting Parents and Families through Pregnancy and Postpartum
Every birth is special. Whether it takes place at the hospital or at home, each is beautiful and deserving of celebration. No matter how you birth your baby, everyone can benefit from having a doula present at the moment of delivery. Contact me to learn more about my services, and how I can help you bring your own child into this beautiful world.
Meet Lise
Hello and congratulations on your exciting news! Whether you’re about to be a new parent or are in those early days with your new arrival I’m sure you feel really excited, and maybe a little bit nervous. That is so normal, and that may well be the reason that you are looking for a doula. My name is Lise (like Elise without the first ‘e’) and I am passionate about all things to do with birth and parenthood. I am the mother of two incredible children, who are now all grown up and at university.
Being a new parent is ten times more wonderful than you can ever imagine, but it’s also ten times harder. The reason I’m a doula is because I believe that you are powerful and you just need the support, information and empathy to know what is best for your birth and your life as a new parent. Together we will look at anything that may be worrying you, and together we will find a way to overcome them.
I believe that information is power, I try to provide the best research-based evidence for my clients, and that is why I'm a professional member of Evidence Based Birth. I believe that parents should be confident in the quality of care that they can expect from a doula, and that is why I trained with the renowned doula, birth educator and author, Kicki Hansard. I am a member of Doula UK, The Doula Directory and The Doula Association. I trained with Katharine Graves, and am a qualified KG Hypnobirthing instructor. I also hold a full paediatric first aid certificate.
I spend a lot of time keeping up with all the new evidence and research out there, as well as constantly learning how to support and nurture new parents with empathy and an open heart. I see every pregnancy and birth as a miracle and as a doula I feel honoured to be able to contribute my expertise to parents and families; not to take the place of the partner, but to enhance it. I respect and support all people, regardless of gender identity, colour, creed or lifestyle.
I also speak French and Italian, if English is not your first language.
Why Use a Doula?
Parents cared for during labour by a birth doula, compared to those receiving usual care were:*
25% shorter labour
25% less likely to give birth by cesarean section
40% less likely to give birth with a vacuum extractor or forceps
10% less likely to use any analgesia or anesthesia
38%decreased in the baby's risk of a low 5-minute Apgar score
40% reduction in pitocin (artificial oxytocin) use
31% less likely to be dissatisfied or negatively rate their birth experience
*Statistics from:
Hodnett et al.; (2017); "Continuous support for women during childbirth." Cochrane database of systemic reviews: CD003766
Klaus, M., Kennel, J.; (1993); "Mothering The Mother"; Da Capo Press Inc.
About The Journey
Strength in Support
The experience of pregnancy and birth has evolved over the years, especially in today’s modern era. I believe that the need for caring, sensitive and knowledgeable support during this time is becoming more and more apparent.
I see every pregnancy and birth as a miracle and as a Doula I feel honoured to be able to contribute my expertise to parents and families; not to take the place of the partner, but to enhance it.
Every parent deserves to have someone there to guide and assist them in making educated choices about their pregnancy, and remind them that they can trust in the strength of their bodies during this time. As a doula I hold the space for the parents to have the birth experience that they chose, without judgement or advice, but with clear informational support.
To learn more about my experience or my services, feel free to contact me.
Empathy has no script.
There is no right way or wrong way to do it.
It’s simply listening, holding space, withholding judgement, emotionally connecting, and communicating that incredibly healing message of ‘You’re not alone”.
Brené Brown
Services
What I Do
Birth Preparation with Hypnobirthing
The Power of Knowledge and Understanding
I will work with you and your birth partner in your home one-to-one, over at least 4 sessions, giving you a tailored understanding of everything you can expect on your journey to birth, from pain management to communicating with your medical support team. I will help dispel all your fears so that you can arrive at your birth with the knowledge and tools to birth in peace. We will look at the different types of breathing and relaxation, supported with guided hypnobirthing scripts and other resources that you can use throughout your pregnancy, and beyond.
Prenatal Support and Visits
Offering Support and Information
Birth Doula
We will meet up for a totally free chat, with no obligations, to see if I’m the best person to join you in your journey to parenthood. If we decide to go on, we will have at least 4 antenatal meetings to talk about all your hopes and fears, what is important to you, and for you to ask any questions, or pick my brain for information. I can help you make a birth preference list, so that everyone knows what YOU want at any given time.
If you have a partner who wants to support you they will be the most important part of your team, they know and love you best. Often, however, partners have never experienced birth before and feel in over their heads, unsure of how to best support you. I equip partners with tools and exercises to support and comfort you. In turn, your partner feels useful as they play their irreplaceable role in birth.
I have a lot of resources and tools at my disposal, and you will have access to all of it. You can contact me with any questions from the moment I become part of your team.
From 38 weeks I’m on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week just for you, right up to when your new baby arrives. On the big day, as soon as you feel you need me, I will come and be by your side to hold your space and create the perfect environment for you to give birth in peace and tranquility, be that at home, in hospital or at a birth centre. I will be as hands-on or hands-off as you want me to be, (I can provide massage, aromatherapy, etc.) you are my first priority, and I respect that this is a deeply personal and intimate time. I will help you to make your wishes heard, guide you and support you so that recognise your own power - even when you’re feeling powerless.
Once you and your baby are settled, bonded and feeding I will slip away and let you enjoy each other. After you’ve had a couple of days to settle in back home I will come and visit you again to have a birth completion talk, and you can talk about your feelings and have a recap of how it all went. This will be a great time for you to ask me any little questions that may have come up, and to review how feeding is going.
The Birth and Beyond
Compassion, Support and Guidance
Postnatal Doula
When you get home with your new baby, and maybe your partner is back at work, you might feel all alone, and maybe overwhelmed. You have done an amazing thing and you deserve support, be that emotional or practical, or both. I can come to you and help you take care of yourself, so that you can be the best you can for you and your new baby. If breastfeeding has been a bit of a challenge, I will do all I can to help you through (even if you have done this before, baby hasn’t!) If you need to sleep, I can look after your baby so that you can rest. If you are feeling insecure about baby care, I will be by your side, supporting you to get confident. If you need me to watch little siblings so that you can have some quiet time with your baby, I’m there for you. Sometimes what we need most of all is someone we can talk to, bare our heart to, someone who will listen with empathy; I have open ears and an open heart. If the washing is piling up, leave it to me. I’m on your side, whether it’s just for a single 3-hour stint, or if you want me to make a plan with you and want a 20-hour package. You are not alone. I know how hard it can be, and I’m here to help, without any sort of judgement or opinion.
Contact me to learn more about all of the services that I offer.
