Valerie's doula experience and references

Valerie has supported dozens of births as a birth doula, with a focus on Vaginal Births After Caesarean (VBACs) and first time mothers.
She has worked with over 30 families as a postnatal doula (including twins). See below some of the comments from the families and from a midwife she has worked with many times.

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Why hire a doula? If you are anything like I am, a husband all too keen to do my bit but somewhat challenged by the awesome reality of childbirth, then a doula is a fine way to ensure that you and your partner have the very best support for the occasion. Valerie is magnificent. Her practical advice and support during the pregnancy was excellent. However, she really came into play during labour. Physically she was a great help for my wife during her labour, and her mental support was extremely valuable to us both. But it was her role communicating between us and the medical staff where she was so wonderful. Labour wards tend to be busy places, and midwifes are rarely able to dedicate themselves exclusively to a single mother. Moreover, work shifts are such that it is common to have more than one midwife covering a particular birth (in our case we had 5!). Valerie ensured we had continuity of medical attention, and was almost certainly the difference between my wife having a natural birth and a caesarian delivery. I don't believe we have ever spent a better £500 than that for her services. Family L. - Sevenoaks (birth)

We decided to hire a Doula after a discussion at an ante-natal yoga class on the emotional effects of birth on the father, and how their issues are often overlooked. My husband felt unsure about how much support he would be able to give me, and having acted as an additional birth partner for my sister, I knew how much easier it would be to cope with an extra person. We met Valerie and immediately felt more confident, knowing that we had real hands on support from someone who knew the ropes. When it came to the birth, having Valerie at home was invaluable. Someone turning up at 5am to rub your back, make tea and tell you both that it's all fine kept us both calm and relaxed. After 27 hours of labor I ended up having an emergency c-section; not the plan and not what we had discussed at length with Valerie. But she supported us all the way, helped us to make informed decisions, and at no point did I feel out of control or forced into a decision. I have heard so many stories of women feeling "cheated" when they have plans for natural birth and end up with a caesarean, but with Valerie's support before and after the birth of our baby daughter, and her non-judgemental approach, the whole experience was entirely positive. My husband felt frustrated with the hospital staff at times, but Valerie's intervention meant that the situation did not get out of hand, and we stayed pretty calm and relaxed. I can honestly say that without Valerie I would have been very nervous and panicked, my husband would not have been able to get any rest (27 hours is a long time) and the whole experience would have been very different. Valerie is such a calming influence, knows when to have fun but is very practical at the same time ... I can't imagine how she wouldn't add positively to a birthing experience. Family L. - Reigate (birth)

Valerie was the ultimate birth partner for me, calm, knowledgeable and incredibly supportive. She always made me feel I was capable of delivering my baby naturally, and with a smile! Postnatally she has proved equally invaluable. After the birth, Valerie was fantastic, I felt the world was spiralling out of control and she kept me together with her knowledge, patience and positivity. She always made me feel welcome when I rang to ask what must have seemed like silly questions - and often! She provided me with a sensible feeding and sleeping routine to work towards as well as helping me restore my physical well-being with oils for the bath and advice about breastfeeding. Further, even now I still feel able to call or text Valerie if I have any concerns. Often she has put her mind to issues and gathered further information or advice from her contacts. Practically Valerie was excellent, she anticipated the things that needed doing, from the ironing and washing up through to cooking us delicious meals and making friends with our bewildered dogs. In short Valerie is a godsend in the chaos that represents life with a newborn. She quietly takes the initiative and truly cares about you and your family. I couldn't imagine giving birth or settling in a newborn without her. Family M. - Piltdown (birth and postnatal)

Without your wonderful support I don't think we would have achieved a VBAC (vaginal birth after caesarean). Your supply of information before the birth was invaluable, and your calm support throughout the labour was a tower of strength. Family L. - Sevenoaks (birth)

Thank you for all your help over the last 10 weeks (it's gone very fast!!) You have been the most amazing help - not only practically but in building up my confidence to manage on my own. THANK-YOU very much indeed. Family L. - Lamberhurst (postnatal)

Just to say a big thank you for all your help and support. We really appreciated all your guidance and care during the labour, and found the water birth such an incredible experience. Thank you for encouraging us to try it..... (...) Family W. - Sevenoaks (birth)

Valerie is knowledgeable, competent, energetic and confident. I always felt at ease with her and she was happy to do whatever suited me on each particular day, from looking after the baby to playing football with my five year old son. She is an excellent cook and would always cook an evening meal for my husband and I, which was invaluable. I enjoyed her company and very much respected her professionalism. I would not hesitate to recommend her. Family K. - Sevenoaks (postnatal)

Valerie looked after all four of us in many ways. From playing with my four year old so I could feed my baby in peace or changing and soothing the baby while I played with my oder child. She also cooked our dinner regularely, allowing me to have a much needed nap. Having Valerie with us meant I was happy, confident and relaxed at what could be a stressful and tiring time. The best decision we have made as a family in a long time was choosing Valerie. Family F. - Sevenoaks (postnatal)

My baby was 4 weeks old when my partner had to go away on business for 4 weeks. As the days grew nearer and nearer to his departure I became more anxious and tearful as I felt that in his absence I would fall apart, I was so tired all the time. My midwife recommended that I get a doula to help with the evenings (as it was for us the most difficult part of the day). That1s when I found Valerie. After three visits I was cured, she not only helped me with the night shift, she also made my dinner (something I found difficult to do with the wakeful and needy little one). I would say that Valerie really empowered me, she made me feel that I could cope with or without partner. Family C. - Tunbridge Wells (postnatal)

I wanted to thank you very very much for your fantastic care .... I don't know what I would have done without you! Family G. - TunbridgeWells (birth)

(....) You are a great ambassador for doula's as well as for your own business. Family S. (postnatal)

I have worked with Valerie on the Labour Ward at Pembury Hospital where she has been practising as a doula. She has remained professional in her support which she has offered to labouring clients and their partners. Her passion as a doula is obviously seen as a huge support to the pregnant client and Valerie seems to always have an abundance of energy to cope with supporting a woman and her partner in labour. This has enabled Valerie to give positive enthusiasm, which in my opinion has allowed the labouring woman and her partner to focus more positively themselves with labour. Valerie has demonstrated compassion and excellent communication skills with the labouring client. I would not hesitate to allow Valerie to work and support further clients and their family as she has a huge capacity of skill and dedication to offer.

Valerie has also been involved with giving breast-feeding support to clients and has shown evidence of patience, excellent knowledge and skills, up to date research and practise, and a professional manner. This is an area of maternity care that I know Valerie would like to take further and to be able to offer further breast feeding support to all those clients that are having feeding concerns. From S.R. a midwife at Pembury Hospital