Hello, my name is Estelle and I am a trained,
Doula UK recognised Birth and Postnatal Doula.
I am also mother to our beautiful 8-year-old daughter Scarlet, and I live with my loving husband Nick in Wychbold, Worcestershire.
As a mum myself, I draw on my own experience as well as my extensive training to support mothers, mums-to-be and families at what is a wonderful, but very vulnerable and challenging, time in their lives.
Scarlet was born in hospital with the assistance of a ventouse delivery. After such an uninformed labour and birth, I feel that becoming a birth and postnatal doula to other expectant mothers would be both a privilege and a rewarding opportunity for me to use my knowledge and additional training.
Subsequently, I have trained to become a birth and postnatal doula, meaning I support mothers-to-be and aid them in identifying their own choices – and in creating a true sense of empowerment!
From my own personal experience, I now know that the final part of my pregnancy was not just about the birth and use this to guide my supporting role in your pregnancy.
The antenatal preparations, informed choices and even your surroundings can and will have a lasting impact on your birthing experience, so my skills lie in ensuring that you are informed and supported throughout pregnancy, birth and beyond.
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I have attended and completed the Birth and Postnatal Doula Training with Nurturing Birth.
I am also a registered member of Doula UK, adhering to their philosophy and code of conduct with a commitment to life-long learning and continuing personal/professional development.
Doula UK offers a mentorship process where a doula works with a mentor to gain recognition through reflection and experience.
I feel that a doula never stops learning. To help support my practical experience, I continue to keep myself well informed of any new information/articles and read appropriate books. I also ensure my skills develop through attending training course and workshops, such as:
Birth and Postnatal Doula Training with Nurturing Birth
(Doula UK approved), 2013
"Art of Doula Listening" (Doula UK approved), 2013
Paediatric First Aid, 2013
Practical Skills to Prevent & Resolve Malposition
- Rebozo techniques
(Doula UK approved), 2014
UNICEF Breastfeeding Friendly Initiative, 2014
“Supporting Every Birth” (Doula UK approved), 2015
"Closing the Bones" workshop (Doula UK approved), 2016
"Spinning Babies" workshop (Doula UK approved), 2016
"Born to Carry" Peer Support Course, 2016
DBS-checked
Clean driving licence
Fully Insured
Confidentiality Agreements
I have had four years’ experience living and working with young people and adults with learning difficulties and physical disabilities.
I have also spent ten years working within the NHS in the community, as well as in hospitals.
These years in medical settings have taught me their benefits and shortcomings, and mean I am now comfortable supporting my clients in any venue they choose for their baby’s birth.
I have recently had a disclosure and barring service (DBS) check (previously CRB check).
When I support mothers as a doula, I’ve found it a very rewarding role to support the mother-to-be (and their partner), and to encourage them to embrace their birthing journey. I use each birth and doula experience to inform and educate my next.
And I prize my daughter’s birth and my parenting journey very highly as excellent experience, too!
Gemma & Stuart
July 2017
I knew before I was pregnant that I wanted some extra support during my pregnancy and labour than my partner alone could provide so we looked up Doula's on the internet. I was wonderfully surprised to find Estelle just around the corner from me. From the very first message all the way through to two weeks after out little bundle arrived she was a dream to have at my side. It was so easy to relax in her company. She kept me calm and supported me through my labour like a best friend might have. She provided us with tons of information and showed both my partner and me coping strategies for handling contractions. I would and have recommended her to anyone expecting in the future, she was a absolute treasure.
LIZZY & MARTIN 23/8/2018 - BABY EDWARD
After a very negative first birth experience resulting in a C-section, I knew as soon as I became pregnant again I wanted extra support during pregnancy and birth to help me achieve a positive birth experience. I was attracted to Estelle because of her non-nonsense and straight talking manner, which suited mine and my Husband’s personalities (Estelle doesn’t fit the typical ‘hippy’ Doula stereotype!)
From the beginning, Estelle’s support has been invaluable. Antenatally, she helped me deconstruct my previous birth and develop an all eventualities birth plan. I was aiming for an intervention free VBAC on a midwife led unit, which often led to very frustrating interactions with healthcare professionals. Estelle was there to remind me that it was MY birth and gave me the motivation to keep on fighting for the birth I wanted, even when it often felt like an impossible mission. There were times when my anxiety levels would rise and it was hard not
to envisage this birth being equally as negative as my first, but each time I had these waves of anxiety and self-doubt- Estelle was always there to put me back on track.
Estelle really came into her own during the birth. As soon as she entered the room I immediately relaxed. Each time I had a moment of panic or doubt, just looking at Estelle’s face put me at ease. She was there to liaise with the midwife, which enabled my Husband to focus purely on supporting me. Not only did she put me at ease, but my Husband also found her support invaluable. We had a very straightforward VBAC where our birth plan was 100 per cent respected- I can wholeheartedly say that having Estelle as a Doula was a big factor in helping us achieve the birth we wanted. Even if things hadn’t gone to plan, I have no doubt that Estelle’s presence and experience would have ensured we still had a positive birth experience.
I finally feel like I have closure and can move on from my first birth experience. After two years of carrying that negative experience on my shoulders, it feels amazing that me and my Husband can finally move forward onto the next chapter in our lives as a family of four- without the burden of a further negative birth.
I will forever be grateful to Estelle for helping us to heal those wounds and achieve our amazing VBAC.
Thanks from the Hill family