Birth and Postnatal Doula


​Whatever you want
Whatever you like
Whatever you say
Whatever you need
Doula" (pronounced "doola") is a Greek word meaning "woman servant or caregiver". It now refers to an experienced woman who offers nonclinical, emotional and practical support to a woman (or couple) before, during and after childbirth. A doula believes in “mothering the mother” - enabling a woman to have the most satisfying and empowered time during pregnancy, birth and the early days as a new mum. This type of support also helps the whole family to relax and enjoy the experience.
Renee is a recognised Birth and Postnatal Doula based in West Lothian. She is registered with Doula UK and a member of the Scottish Doula Network. In 2017, Renee was invited to apply with Doula UK to become a Mentor of newly trained Doulas and was accepted as a Doula UK Mentor. 

“It is so great to be able to take part in the journey of newly trained Doulas and to know that through this mentoring process we are providing mums with a quality assured service for the future. I want each and every woman to have the best possible birth experience.” Renee

This desire led Renee to train specifically in the field of complementary maternity care. Much has changed and much has remained the same since 1974 when she became a mother. However, the basic needs of women have not changed, which are:
• To be supported
• To be protected
• To become empowered and be able to make informed choices
• To be prepared and have tools to support yourself during labour, birth and early parenthood using hypnobirthing
• To choose where and how you give birth
• To have as gentle and nurturing birth experience as is possible for you to have
• To take plenty of time, relax and enjoy the moment

Renee's role is to give you emotional and hands-on support to enable you and your family to enjoy this special family time.

She trained with Adela Stockton of Birth Consultancy and was mentored by Nicola Goodall.

In 2006 she trained with Suzanne Yates of Well Mother and began teaching positions, breathing, visualisations and massage for labour and birth. She then completed a HND Antenatal Education and currently has the joy of working with pregnant mums on a regular basis providing KGHypnobirthing, Doula services and Advanced Clinical Hypnotherapy when required. A few mums and dads have Tokophobia (a fear of childbirth) or are afraid of needles/hospitals so when it’s needed we work with hypnotherapy to empower parents.

In her work as a Clinical Hypnotherapist she works from the Clinic Room in Broxburn, West Loathian, so that she can be readily on-hand for mums in labour.  

​Doula Services for Central Scotland

I am here to EMPOWER you and nurture you

From the date a contract is agreed, Renee is available to talk to you in person, by telephone, via email or Skype.  

She will spend time with you so that you get to know your Doula and she gets to know you and your needs and wants during the antenatal period and for a few weeks after the birth. If you require her to attend midwife and/or hospital appointments with you, that can be arranged. Providing information for making informed decisions, pregnancy massage, an ever listening ear, lots of cuppa’s, chats and hugs when and if required!  The pregnancy really is a time for your Doula to nurture you. 

Included in Renee's Doula Package, if desired, is a One-to-One Antenatal and Hypnosis for Birth (Hypnobirthing Classes) for you and any Birthing Partners. 

Renee works with mums who are wishing a VBAC, those who have had unfortunate previous experiences and want extra support for a subsequent pregnancy, labour and birth.  Mums who choose to birth at home, in midwife led units, birth centres and obstetric consultant led units, it really is whatever way to choose and whichever way the journey develops. She is also comfortable in operating theatres, should her companionship be desired by the mum-to-be.

Being a Birth Doula means being on call 24 hours a day from around 38-43 weeks of your pregnancy.  I set aside part of the fee to cover the agreed “on Call” weeks for you as it is quite a commitment to be living 24 hours a day beside a fully charged mobile phone and no more than a car's drive away from a mum at all times. 

I recommend reading this article from Jodi if you want to find out more about What a Doula will offer you and how her fee is put together.
Having a Doula improves many outcomes
​You can find statistics that provide evidence to support the claim that having a Doula reduces the use of opiate drugs, epidurals (20%) , forceps, caesarean birth (15%), increases the rate of natural birth (45%), increases the rate of a vaginal birth following a previous caesarean birth (70%). MIDIRS JOURNAL. June 2009.
​Statistics are extracted from 165 survey forms returned totalling, 735 births attended by members of DOULA UK.

I think it all comes down to what YOU want. 

If you want a Doula to:
  • help you prepare for one, if not the most, important event in your life
  • to care for you in the remainder of your pregnancy, birth and beyond 
  • assist you with positions and breathing
  • support your partner to do as much as they feel comfortable doing
  • help you to explore your choices on any subject matter relating to birth and parenting 
  • support you in your transition into parenting 
  • support you while you look back at your birth experiences (past and present)
  • help you establish breastfeeding or other feeding options
then I am there...

Many years ago in the 1960's when many women gave birth at home it was common to have a Home Help who visited very day for a week or two weeks after the birth. I can remember the Home Helps that my mother had for my brothers' and sisters' births. These women were an important factor in allowing the new mother time to relax and enjoy those first few precious weeks and I liken the Postnatal Doula of today, in part, with that image in my mind. 

Before you decide on hiring me as a Doula, I will meet with you, or you and your partner to discuss your needs and my service. There will be no charge for this initial consultation.

Birth Doula video testimonial

Birth Doula Fees

The full birth package is a total of £995.
A £200 deposit is payable upon agreement. Subsequent payments are made to reflect your needs and individual circumstances, there is always a way.

Postnatal Doula Fees

  • Available for 4 hours a day.
  • ​Minimum contract duration is 12 hours.
  • Available by email and on the phone from day of birth.
  • Rate at £25 per hour including travel time for each visit plus travel expenses at 45p per mile.
  • Deposit of £100 upon signing of contract and invoices for payment on a weekly basis.

I do cover a large geographical area and I have been a Postnatal Doula for mums in Ayrshire, Strathclyde, Lanarkshire, Lothian, Fife, Perth & Kinross and Angus.

If in doubt just ask!

How to book Renee as your Doula

    Doula Services - register your interest

Doula Testimonials

"Choosing Renee as the Doula for the birth of our first baby was one of the best decisions I have made in my life. Midwives are there primarily to provide medical support where as a Doula gives emotional and physical support. During the birth I felt much more comfortable to ask Renee for support than I did the midwifes. As I was having 9 contractions every 10 minutes and as fantastic as my partner was, it was really helpful to have another person there supporting as it was too much for just one person to support.

However great a birthing partner is, I still think it is of benefit to have a Doula. As you are not sure who you will get as a midwife and you may not like the person you end up with, I found I was far less worried about the birth knowing that there would be someone there that I knew and trusted. I contacted several Doulas before speaking to Renee and as soon as I spoke to her I knew that she was the right person to go with.

She also provided hypnobirthing. She helped me to remain calm and not worried about going over 42 weeks. When I did naturally go into labour, the massage which Renee gave throughout gave amazing pain relief against the contractions, enabling me to have a drug free birth.  I can honestly say that birthing was a powerful, positive experience for me and Renee really helped this. I'm not saying that it was not painful at times but it is also absolutely amazing what the female body can do! 

​Thanks Renee!." - Emily J
"I cannot sing Renee's praises as a Doula enough. I had a long labour (60 hours) Renee was with me pretty much all of the time. She read books to our 2 year old, tidied up, prepared the birth room, fed us, made me laugh, massaged me, walked outside with me, encouraged me and met all my labour needs.

I was relaxed as both my husband and Renee looked after us. It was wonderful to be supported, have an advocate who could speak with midwives if required, and have her ample knowledge of labour and birth. Renee knew what I wanted and made sure I got it! I am thrilled to have birthed at home and to have had this support, before, during and after birth. I am thankful to have found her and have Renee in our lives.

​Renee is a caring, nurturing, wonderful woman. Thank you Renee. We love you." - Ros M