conception doula
specialised doula care for trying to conceive, assisted conception
and long awaited pregnancies
how we’ll work
A doula is not solely reserved for pregnancy. The concept of a doula is to nourish and support and this is just as applicable - if not more so, in trying to conceive landscapes.
if you would like to feel less isolated in your trying to conceive experience…
if you would like practical tools to nourish your nervous system through an assisted conception cycle..
if you are now stepping into the landscape of the first trimester and beyond and finding that a very anxious place to be..
A doula might be the very thing you are seeking.
conception doula - a unique approach
I created working in this way when I realised that having someone by my side to support mind and body was exactly what I needed when I was traversing the landscapes of fertility. Not a friend, not family - but an ally who has walked the paths of long term trying to conceive and assisted conception.
To support you, I draw upon fifteen years of mentoring as an academic, my own infertility experiences and a wide range of holistic trainings (please see ‘about me’ for more details).
You can choose to work with me through occasional, as needed support but a longer term doula relationship can be deeply transformative. You can expect careful listening and attuned time together to tend to both your physical body and mind.
To date, I have been a conception doula to both couples and many individuals, providing support for when the weight of long term trying to conceive grows heavy. I have supported women who are trying to conceive on a solo journey, couples during assisted conception cycles, individuals who have been unsuccessful in their cycles or who have experienced loss. I also work with women during long awaited pregnancies and post-natally, taking them from pre-conception to the fourth trimester.
I am currently open for new bookings. If you’re looking for just one session, you can book that via my One to One bookings. If you would like a more cohesive level of support you can work with me monthly. Two sessions will be £111, with one message/email between sessions to capture our work together. If you would like additional, unlimited voice note support throughout the month (during my working hours), this is £144.
co-creating
So far I have worked with women in a myriad of creative ways.
Time together has included;
Focused mentoring to look closely at what is working for you right now and what you’d like to invite into living while you wait.
Gentle fertility or pregnancy yoga, restorative yoga, guided relaxation and yoga nidra.
Guided nervous system and somatic work with specific aspects of the process, such as anxiety or apprehension with injections or scans.
Ceremonial and sacred honouring of the start of an IVF cycle, including opening the box of medications together.
Attending scans, egg collection and transfer or being there on the phone or after procedures.
Honouring the cycle at the conclusion - however it unfolds. Support for either positive or negative tests can be highly valuable.
Guided meditations and journaling prompts.
Creating vision boards and affirmations or mantra.
Providing playlists to accompany aspects of the process.
Good old fashioned talk and tea and the opportunity to ask me about my experiences and any other questions you might have. (Note that whilst I am a qualified mentor, I am not a qualified therapist. If I do feel that you could be supported through talk therapy, I will signpost you to additional support - this is of utmost ethical importance to me and I attend my own regular supervision).
Testimonial
‘I want to thank you so much for being a part of this IVF cycle Helen. I hadn’t realised how much I needed to build relaxation into the whole process, the yoga nidras were so soothing. It helped having someone to tell my hopes and fears to and knowing that you were there to reach out to in the hard waiting bits was invaluable. You also made me a lot more relaxed about doing that first injection, the breathing and playlist gave me some structure to work with. I wish that more people going through assisted conception could have this kind of tailored support.’
‘I hadn’t heard of a conception doula before but something spoke to me about your work and I’m so glad I made the decision to support myself in this way. Building a relationship with you during the difficult months of ttc and having you there through my anxious, surprise first trimester was exactly what I needed.’
Book a Discovery Call.
Find out how we can work together in a free 30min initial consultation