What is a full spectrum doula?
Doulas are most commonly known for providing information and continuous physical and emotional support through pregnancy, birth, and early motherhood. However, we see that as one part of a spectrum of experiences, and we bring our model of care to all life events and transitions. The word doula means “woman who serves”, and that’s us. We trust women and their inherent wisdom to make the best decisions for them, while offering witness, companionship, information, resources, advocacy, and comprehensive support along the way.
Holistic Support
Whether you are pregnant, a new mum, or in a completely different place – you are a whole and complex woman and your experiences are all connected. For example, previous trauma may influence how you feel about a future birth, which could have an impact on your needs and the type of doula you want. This is why you can pick and choose the support you want from us and together we will make it work for you.
One-off or Short-term Support
Holding Space
We offer one hour ‘holding space’ sessions with two trauma-informed, woman centred doulas. These can be used to talk about anything that is on your mind, whether that is birth-related or not, and can encompass anything that is important to you. Nothing is too deep or heavy, and we will never think you’re silly or overreacting – we’re here to hold space for you while you process anything or everything you’re ready to. You can book your Holding Space session via Zoom or in-person here.
Abortion Support
We are pro-women and pro-choice. We can support you before, during, and after your abortion in a way that’s completely tailored to your needs and wishes. This service can form part of longer-term support if you like.
Traumatic Birth Recovery
This simple but effective 3-step process neutralises the strong emotions currently associated with the traumatic event so you can keep the narrative of what happened without the overwhelming feelings.
Longer-term Support
With Woman
This option is our non-judgemental, holistic support, applied at any stage of life. ‘With Woman’ is a three-month plan of support that includes a Whatsapp group chat with the doulas, unlimited Holding Space sessions, unlimited contact via email, and includes the option of Rewind sessions for processing trauma.
Conception Support
Every pregnancy starts with conception! As full spectrum doulas we can support you in looking at your emotional wellbeing before you are even pregnant, helping you to be in the very best place before heading into a pregnancy. For some, planning and growing a baby isn’t easy, and we can be there to support you through these challenging times.
Virtual Pregnancy Support
This is a three-month support plan that includes a WhatsApp group chat with the doulas, unlimited contact via email and as many antenatal sessions via Zoom as you like. This is a good fit for women who don’t want doula support while giving birth, but want to benefit from our combined knowledge and experience in the weeks and months leading up to it.
Freebirth Support
This support plan includes holistic pregnancy support and in-person support at your freebirth. This can look different for every woman, and our support is always led by you and is built around your needs.
Miscarriage and Stillbirth Support
We offer our holistic support to women experiencing all forms of loss. Your loss matters, and we can be with you throughout your grief, whenever or however your baby died.
Postpartum Support
The first few weeks and months can be a whirlwind. As postpartum doulas, we provide practical and emotional support to help you to adjust to life with a your new baby.
Birth Worker Mentorship
We have learned so much – from each other and about ourselves – and the way we support women has evolved, and continues to evolve, in huge ways. Having a safe space to debrief what we witness and to continually reflect upon our work has been key in being able to continue offering personalised, woman-centred support. We understand how important a supportive community is and want to create that space within Greater Manchester (and further afield) so that we can learn from each other and lift each other up.
One-off Support Sessions
These sessions can be used for debriefing, business support, a space to reflect, a learning opportunity on specific topics or just to feel held by women who understand what it’s like to work in the birth world.
Birth Worker Support Package
This is a three-month package of support, within which you can utilise your unlimited sessions however works for you. This package can also includes access to the 3-Step Rewind for processing your own trauma, opportunities to share your offerings with our community, access to all of our resources and lending library to share with your clients, and ongoing support even after the three months comes to an end.
Other Services
Community Groups
We run four different community groups: Wild Mothering Circle, Home Birth, Freebirth and Women Reclaiming Birth. These are currently run via Zoom and are very casual – you’re welcome to join late/leave early and children are always welcome too.
Placenta Encapsulation
The reported benefits of placenta remedies post-birth are wide-ranging from increased energy levels to increased milk production. We offer a placenta encapsulation service using vegan capsules.
Educational Videos
We have made and will continue to make a series of videos on various topics around pregnancy and birth. You can find a mixture of these videos in a few different places at the moment – head to our Facebook page, our Manchester Pregnancy and Birth Support group and our YouTube channel
Resource Lending Library
We have a wide collection of digital resources, audio files and books on both general and specific topics around birth, breastfeeding, veganism, women’s rights, and feminism. Please do get in touch if you would like to access any of these resources.
If you would like to book a free, no obligation initial interview you can do so here.