Support to guide you through this stage or to prepare you for the next stage

A Postnatal Doula can support you with: 

  • Transitioning from being an individual or couple to becoming part of your own new family
  • Settling in with your new arrival
  • Adjusting to a growing family
  • Breastfeeding support – getting prepared before baby is born & support throughout your breastfeeding journey
  • Navigating advice from Google, family, friends, the lady at the check out
  • Where to find trusted evidence based information & specialist support if you need it
  • Accompany you to appointments, first time feeding out & about, first visit to baby group
  • An extra pair of hands around the house
  • Help with shopping & errands
  • Introducing solid food – information & support with this next milestone
  • Supporting your mental health – providing a non-judgemental listening ear, being in your corner, sharing trusted resources & signposting to specialist support

If you’d like to find out more or if you have any questions, please get in touch by email. katina@portisheadparent.co.uk
We can arrange a time for a video call or chat over the phone. I look forward to hearing from you.

Contact Me
Services

With a gift voucher they can chose what they would find most useful: a 1-2-1 workshop, 3 hours of support or a package of hours for regular support.

  • Work colleagues – something useful they will really appreciate
  • Employers – to show you value them while they are on maternity leave
  • Family – when you don’t live nearby & can’t help out regularly
  • Friends – you’d really love to help out, but you don’t have the time

1-2-1 postnatal support will be tailored around YOU, to provide what you need. This could be regular practical support in the home or it could be to provide more emotional support & guidance. The support will be guided by you, & may include these:

  • Practical support around the house
  • Emotional support
  • Guidance to find your feet as a 1st time mum
  • Finding your ‘village’
  • Breastfeeding
  • Understanding their sleep
  • Pelvic floor & exercise
  • Starting solids
  • Returning to work

1-2-1 antenatal support will be tailored around YOU, to provide what you need. Practical support in the later weeks of pregnancy can be really useful to help you get tasks done & ready for your new arrival. We can also work together to look at your postnatal period. Like your Birth Preferences or Birth Plan, it’s a good to think about your Postnatal Plan & look at who & what’s available in your own ‘village’ & make sure things are in place to make you feel safe, supported & empowered. Antenatal support will be guided by you, & may include these:

  • Practical support around the house
  • Emotional support
  • Preparing for birth
  • Preparing for the postnatal period
  • Breastfeeding workshop

An antenatal Breastfeeding Workshop which can be delivered as a 1-2-1 or in a small group.

  • Why breastfeed
  • What to expect in the early days & weeks
  • Breastfeeding myth busting
  • Where to find support
  • How family & friends can support you
  • Get your questions answered
  • Includes a follow up call to go over any questions which come to you after the session

    • About Me

    Hi, I’m Katina & I became a Mum for the first time in 2009, 6 weeks after moving to Portishead. It had been a long 4 years on our journey to become parents & we felt so lucky. In 2011 we were blessed with our surprise 2nd addition to the family. Two boys within 22 months, a bit of a whirlwind after waiting so long.

    Soon after having my first baby it became clear that the support you have around you makes a huge difference. I found support from other mums I met at local parent & baby groups. I then discovered a love for volunteering for both Cafe Mamma & NCT. I’m currently still volunteering as a Breastfeeding Peer Supporter & also run Baby & Me, a parent support group, alongside Gordano Valley Church & Portishead Children’s Centre.

    As a parent you’re always looking for good information in amongst everything you see online & everything you’re told by well meaning family, friends & even strangers. It’s also a time where you could do with that extra pair of hands & also a non-judgmental listening ear. A doula can help you work through all this information & help support you in your own choices. Doulas have the time to listen & are available to offer this kind of support.

    • Parent Support Group Leader – Baby & Me – since March 2019
    • Founder of Portishead Parent website – since February 2016
    • Partnership Group Member – Portishead Children’s Centre – since 2012
    • Breastfeeding Peer Supporter – Cafe Mamma – since December 2009

    Training & Experience

    • Listening Skills – November 2020
    • First Aid at Work  – September 2020
    • Holistic Sleep Coaching Mini Course – June 2020
    • Adore Your Pelvic Floor Training – June 2020
    • Connect 5 Mental Health Training – January 2020
    • DBS Enhanced Certificate – November 2019
    • Applied Suicide Intervention Training – October 2019
    • Mental Health First Aid – September 2019
    • Birth Bliss Academy Aspiring Doula Foundation Course – January 2017
    • NCT Star Awards – South West Regional Winner – Parent Support – 2016
    • Breastfeeding Peer Support Training Course – Real Baby Milk – December 2012
    • Parent Support Co-ordinator & other roles – NCT North Somerset Branch – 2010 – 2019
    • Breastfeeding Peer Support Training – Portishead Community Midwifes – November 2009