BIRTHKEEPER

‘Imagine if our culture told us that birth was one of the greatest things a woman might ever do.  Imagine if the stories and images we were exposed to taught us that labour is an incredible and transformational experience.  A rite of passage into motherhood.’  - Leonie MacDonald


WHAT IT MEANS TO WORK WITH A BIRTHKEEPER

  • OVERVIEW

    My work with the families I serve is heavily influenced by all I have learned about the traditional role of the wise woman of the village. I support the families I work with from around 25 weeks into their pregnancy and I usually stay with them up until 6 weeks after their baby has been born. I often keep in touch with many of the families I have served even after our work together has finished. It is a really blessing to see a baby and mother I have witnessed the birth of grow into this world.

    Each family’s needs are different and I am able to walk alongside you for all or part of your journey, in-person or virtually - whatever is right for you. With this is mind we can work together to create an offering of support that is just right for you from as little as £700.

    Have a read of the support I am able to offer and then book in for a free exploration session.

  • BIRTH & MOTHERHOOD PREPARATION

    During our sessions together ahead of the birth of your baby, we will undergo the deepest of birth and motherhood preparation. We will explore your past experiences of birth (including the stories that have been passed to you by those around you) and release any fears you are carrying from these experiences, we will explore the physiological process of birth, we will explore your birth options and I will support you as you decide the best way for you to have your baby.

    We will do all this by utilising a variety of tools including Biomechanics for Birth, Hypnobirthing, Journaling, Meditation, Reiki and, if you wish, Shamanic Practices such as Journeying and working with various Archetypes. Please do not worry if you have never used any Shamanic Practices before. I will support you and hold you fully as we utilise these tools. There is also the option of incorporating Mizan Therapy (traditional womb massage) into your birth preparation.

  • THE BIRTH

    From 38 weeks into your pregnancy and until your baby is born, I will be on call for you 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Ready to come to you just as soon as you are ready for me to offer you my support.

    I will be there, by your side, as you explore the labyrinth of birth. I will hold and keep the space around you sacred, working with both you and your partner to have the most positive and empowering birthing experience possible. During the birth itself I may utilise a variety of support techniques such as Aromatherapy, Homeopathy, Massage, Positioning, Rebozo, Reiki.

  • POST BIRTH SUPPORT

    I continue to support the families I work with not only through pregnancy and birth, but also postnatally too - usually for the first 40 days after your baby has been born.

    During pregnancy our energy field expands and opens for us to be able to bring a new soul into this world. After the birth it is important to reseal our energy fields again. Our work together will support this process.. The postnatal period is also a time of settling in for both you and your baby. You will be finding your feet as a new mother and you may well have a lot of emotions that come to the surface.

    I will offer you emotional support and also Mizan Therapy (traditional womb massage) and Reiki to support your integration following birth. During our last session together I offer a closing ceremony if you wish. My role during the postnatal period is to support your body and your spirit as you grow into motherhood.

 
 

The Rite of Passage

In ancient times our Rites of Passage were a deeply sacred time for celebration and also the honouring of our bodies and our souls as we transitioned to the next life phase.  It was as we transitioned through these deep transformations that our wounds would rise to the surface of our souls so we could undergo the deepest of healing, ready for the next phase of our lives. 

During this time we would be surrounded by people who would love us, nurture us and support us as we journeyed through these life changing times.

The transition through birth (be it the first time or any subsequent birthing) is a Rite of Passage. When we are held and supported to look into the wounds that come to the surface. To honour them, to heal and to integrate what we can learn from them. We are then able to become the wise, intuitive, strong and powerful mothers we yearn to be.

The women I work with experience a deeply immersive and healing pregnancy, birth and early motherhood.

Through being fully held and supported from pregnancy, through birth and into the early weeks with your new baby you will be able to grow into being the mother you have always dreamed of being.

When we are held, loved, nurtured and supported.  When we are able to offer all of this to ourselves, then we have more to give to those around us.   Taking time to focus on ourselves and our own needs during this time benefits everyone.  The brighter your light shines, the lighter everyone around you is too.


Testimonials

“Having Helen as my doula during and after pregnancy was the best decision I ever made. Helen made me feel so supported through the whole experience. She was always there to answer any questions I had and provided unbiased information when I needed advise. Due to her continued support I was able to decide how I wanted my birth plan to be and went on to have a lovely birth experience. I highly recommend Helen to anyone who is pregnant. She is a genuinely lovely person to have hold space for you :)”

Cheryl, High Wycombe

“I have been having Mizan therapy sessions with Helen throughout the 3rd trimester of my pregnancy which I have found to be incredibly helpful to prepare for the birth of my first baby. The sessions are a mixture of discussion and massage, which I feel worked really well together. I was also invited to release my fears and welcome in what I actually want during the sessions which I found incredibly powerful! Helen is an amazing space holder and fountain of knowledge. As a first time mum to be I felt anxious when we first began our sessions together, my head was spinning, but now I am feeling calm and empowered ready for whatever is to come. I highly recommend Helen, not just for mums to be, but for any woman who is going through a life changing transition and needs support emotionally, physically & spiritually. I am so pleased that I honoured myself and my baby by working with an experienced Doula in this way.”

Corinna, High Wycombe

“Through Mizan with Helen I gained a stronger connection with my body, my womb space in particular. I felt released on a deep level. I felt more aligned. Helen created a calm, nurturing space for me and sprinkled what felt like, well, magic. Mizan with Helen is a wonderful experience for mind and body.”

Cara, Maidenhead

“I was looking online for some postpartum doula support and came across Helen’s website which immediately caught my eye… she seemed perfect. We had a chat on the phone to discuss what support I felt I might want and something compelled me to ask if she was by anychance free for the birth which wasn’t too far off … and she was! We already had a private midwife on board and weren’t looking for a doula but it just felt right to bring Helen into the fold and have her on our birthing team, and I am so glad we did. Helen held space beautiful in the build up, the birth and weeks following. I felt she read me really well and struck a good balance of being there and giving me space… which was exactly what I needed.

Helen is very intuitive and supported both myself and my husband to discover any fears or blinds spots around birth and parenthood. My last appointment was a closing of bones ceremony that Helen facilitated - it was gorgeous.

I felt fully supported and held my Helen, she is a wonderful doula.”

Caz, Wendover

“ My Mizan therapy with Helen was wonderful. She had a natural motherly and caring presence and I felt very looked after and safe in her hands. The treatment left me feeling very relaxed and was both an emotional and physical cleanse. I would highly recommend Helen as a Mizan Therapist.”

Willow, Beaconsfield

“There are simply no words to describe how incredibly grateful I am that Helen came into our lives. I could not imagine my birth story without her present. She really was a huge part of our journey Leading up to my son's birth, during labour and postnatally. Hiring her was honestly the best decision myself and my partner made. She was there through all the incredible highs and momentary lows offering incredible advice and just generally being the best human. I can honestly say she shaped our story into its beautiful being which could have been very different due to issues spotted late in my pregnancy. She very much stopped it being a very traumatic event for us all. She was there when no one was listening to us with a wealth of knowledge, the best shoulder to cry on she enabled us to move forward and I can honestly say my labour and birth experience was the best moment of my life. I get teary just thinking about our time together, she is a true friend that I will never forget. I can say with certainty her purpose in life is to help birthing people feel safe and loved and you will not regret your decision in opening your door and heart and letting her in.”

Carly, Langley

“Helen guided me through my second pregnancy, as after my first birth I was scared. Thanks to her wonderful guidance I not only got the birth I wanted but I left the hospital feeling proud. I had my baby close to how I had originally wanted (I wanted a water birth but ended up having him on the floor haha!) I cannot reccomend her highly enough. Since my time with Helen she has expanded onto new and exciting things. Should I have another baby in the future I will most certainly be coming back.”

Holli, Online

“ When I was in labour Helen answered the phone straight away and came to us as soon as we asked her to. She stayed with us for 24 hours in total! Helen set-up a cozy environment in the hospital and was encouraging and patient throughout. Following the birth, Helen was in touch almost every day to check in and offer advice. Helen is amazing. She listens and gives appropriate advice without judging. Easily available and happy to help, even when she wasn't call.”

Marie, Thame

“My Closing the Bones Ritual by Helen was a truly nurturing and healing experience. I was made to feel safe and comfortable and felt like I was able to open up and share my past emotional struggles. I have chronic pain surrounding my abdomen area so i am naturally very protective of this space. The massage component of the treatment was so beneficial and I felt my pain gradually ease. I would highly recommend this to everyone, not just mothers who may have had a traumatic birth experience. I felt completely relaxed and re-set, feeling energized and de-stressed.”

Carly, Marlow

“I recently had the pleasure of receiving a Closing the Bones healing session from Helen. I was blown away by the feeling of warmth and connection to something deep within me. Helen is a gentle and skilled practitioner and she made me feel safe and nurtured. The session felt like a sacred ceremony and afterward I felt calm and peaceful, feelings which lasted beyond the session itself. I loved it and would highly recommend for any woman who wants to dive deeper into who she really is. Thank you, Helen!”

Kia, High Wycombe

“I first got in touch with Helen when pregnant with my fourth child, having experienced some birth trauma during my third delivery. Helen was able to provide me with help and guidance to assist with my recovery and then went on to support me to prepare for a positive experience for the birth. I loved her positivity, honesty, helpfulness, calm and practical knowledge in a friendly but professional way.”

Emma, Marlow

“Having a doula was important to me due to some negative experiences in hospital in the past. Immediately I felt a connection with Helen and from the very start her knowledge and warm manner gave me confidence. It was also very important to me that my husbands role wasn't undermined in any way and Helen was just as much a support for him as she was for me. She played such an important part in both of our experiences during the birth of our daughter.”

/Holly-Chalfonts

“I brought on Helen as my doula for the birth of my second daughter. I really couldn't recommend her more, she brought with her such a wealth of wisdom and experience. Her knowledge of all things birth is expansive and she gave me very valuable guidance on how to navigate dealing with the NHS when I was running well past my due date and was very keen to avoid induction and have an intervention free birth at home. My birth experience was really amazing, I honestly don't think it could have been more positive, and I know this was largely due to Helen's consistent support, encouragement, sage advice and all round wonderful service as doula for the birth of my baby. Thank you so much Helen!”

Jess, Henley