Hello, I am a postnatal doula, massage practitioner and Janet Balaskas’ Active Birth Workshop © and Massage & Rebozo for Birth Partners teacher. I have been an ABM breastfeeding peer supporter, for many years and I completed the Breastfeeding London Diploma in 202.

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In 2020 I took the amazing "Doula training and Transformation” course. It taught me a lot as well as reminding me of my core values, trust in birth and how important instinct is for all of us but especially birthing people!

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What I offer as a PN doula:

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Postnatal doulas offer support that would traditionally have been provided by your community help out around the house and look after you so you are calm and rested and have the confidence to look after your baby. Having a doula takes away the worry about all the things that you don’t have the time or energy to do in the early weeks after you have given birth. This should be, as it is in many cultures, a time of rest and recovery while you adjust to the demands of a new baby and a different pace of life. All too often new parents live far from their families and don t have much family support. They are left to cope on their own, often with no or very little experience of what life with a newborn baby is like, or without help when adjusting to extending their family with a new baby.

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I support breast/chestfeeding and bottle feeding, I can help with calming and getting your baby to sleep, look after your baby so you can sleep or have a bath etc. I can do shopping, prepare food and make sure you've eaten and rested. I’m also there to answer questions about breastfeeding and baby care and to listen to your birth story. I try to boost your confidence in looking after your baby, aiming to make your transition into parenthood smoother and less stressful. I can look after your older children, help around the house with light cleaning, washing and cooking so you have more time to spend with your baby. I can be available at varied times during the day and some evenings and if you give birth over the weekend and would like help with getting breastfeeding off to a good start that's fine too. I have supported many first time parents, many having second or third babies and many twin mums .

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Massage Offerings

Sue's massage treatments are a blend of holistic oil based massage & Shiatsu techniques. They are specially designed to support you through the physical and emotional demands of pregnancy and the postnatal period. The oil based massage works on releasing muscular tension, stretches tight muscle fibres, stimulates blood and lymph circulation and calms the nervous system which aids mental as well as physical relaxation. Meridians and shiatsu points are gently worked with thumbs or palms to relax and re-balance the mind and body and to help alleviate certain pregnancy or postnatal related issues. 

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Most pregnant women will experience some discomfort and tension during their pregnancy as their bodies adapt to accommodate their growing baby. Massage can often ease backache, nausea, headaches, oedema and other pregnancy related strains and stresses. It can help to prepare the body for childbirth by releasing physical and emotional tension and working shiatsu/acupressure points can help to prepare the body for labour. 

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After the birth mothers commonly suffer from tight neck and shoulders and from sore lower backs from carrying & feeding their babies. You can come anytime you feel ready after your birth and the treatment will vary depending on your personal requirements. If you are bringing your baby with you for your postnatal massage just let Sue know and she will book out a longer session time to work around your baby feeding and sleeping. 

Sue works from her home in N5

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More information about Sue's training and experience here