PUSH by Shoshana

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PUSH by Shoshana

As a Doula, I support women and couples through pregnancy and birth. I aim to be a calming voice and presence to create a positive birth experience. Nonsense!

What is a Doula? A Doula is a person that supports women and couples through pregnancy and birth. At a time when midwives are often stretched running between various women giving birth, a Doula is a calming constant presence from beginning to end. She becomes the labouring woman's advocate and voice, and protects her from all surrounding noise and chaos at a time when she needs to focus most in a place of quiet and calm. A Doula also helps women believe that their bodies were designed for this task and they should therefore embrace birth rather than fear it. The more they relax into it, the more naturally the body will open up. What's critical is to help women/couples achieve the birth they want. Too many women still have the preconceived idea that if they don't have the perfect textbook natural birth, they have already failed as women and mothers. Our role is to support the mum's choice and help her to achieve a positive birthing experience so she looks back with pride and not horror! If it's an epidural she wants, that is her absolute prerogative to do so. A Doula is NOT a medical professional. I work in partnership with midwives and doctors and respect their medical knowledge and professionalism. A Doula is unable to perform examinations or any other clinical task. I help communicate with the medical staff to ensure my clients have all the information they need to make informed decisions throughout their labour.

18/02/2026

Talfana - “Me, My Mum and Madonna” - I love this modern version of this iconic image - how the inter-generational importance of mothers, fathers and grandparents is part of our genetic imprint and so integral to who we are as people. Our families mould, share and carry us through life - whether we like it or not

12/02/2026

Wijnhoven - “Victimhood” I can’t decide if I like this image or not. Is a pregnant woman a victim of something? Responsibility, pressure, tiredness, body changes, sickness, exposed to the option often unwillingly of being cut open by a Cesarean? Victim of her own success/physical ability to get pregnant and carry a child? It’s an interesting debate…..

10/02/2026

Zahu - “Chrysalis Drawing II” I love the simplicity of this black and white drawing of the mother growing, nurturing and caring for the embryo/baby in her womb. That deep connection, the sharing of breath, blood, nutrients, genes and skin is always breathtaking. Seems simple but so utterly complex

02/02/2026

Riley “I’ve Loved You For A Million Years” - when you know - you know. Those sweet tender moments when you’re kid gives you a heartfelt hug - whether they’ve fallen and hurt themselves - or they’re in a bad mood and have just had a tantrum - or they’re just need a hug from mum just because - I love the title of this artwork. One can’t put into words clearly enough what those moments feel like - but you’re heart bursts with years of emotion and deep connection - and that warmth is something that never quite leaves you even as they grow up

22/01/2026

artist - Does this photo give you palpatations like me?! In the 1920’s and 1930’s in New York City - Baby Cages became a thing - as most of the City residents lived in apartment buildings. Cages made of chicken wire were suspended outside windows with the purpose of giving babies fresh air. A famous name - Eleanor Roosevelt - was one such mum who liked the idea. Claiming she had little idea about motherhood and babies, she bought a baby cage and hung it outside her apartment window until a concerned neighbor threatened to report her to the authorities. Thankfully, these wire baby cages were deemed dangerously unsafe by the beginning of the 1940’s! - black and white - photography

19/01/2026

Mensah - “Strength of a Woman/Motherhood/Mothers Care” - this beautiful and colourful painting exemplifies what incredible multitasking women can do! Life’s/motherhood juggle at its finest! And more than that, these magnificent women seem to do it with the most natural ease - because it’s what women in their families have done for generations to survive - to carry/feed/nurture and provide whilst literally having their babies on their backs. All whilst balancing heavy baskets of crops and food on their heads. Sheer beauty and resilience, empowerment and strength. In awe 💚

13/01/2026

Radionov - “Pregnant” - I just met up with my next client due to give birth and the common feeling at the end of pregnancy is the exhaustion and heaviness! The physical extra weight that is being carried around that can cause pelvic and back pain - and also the emotional and mental load of what is about to happen/how life will change/how will I cope….The weight of these life changes can be so impactful and worrisome. But also so exciting and awe inspiring! # expectation

08/01/2026

Aita - “Tears of love and War” - I came across this image this evening and it absolutely reflects the sadness I feel following the tragic maternity investigation into maternal deaths and failures here in the UK dominating the news today. The figures from MBRRACE-UK are so alarming - quoting official data that 252 women lost their lives between 2022 - 2024 20% higher than 2009 - 2011. I’ve just listened on Sky News to 5 different interviews of women/couples who went though the most horrific treatment whilst in labour - being ignored and mistreated that led to other serious complications or death of their babies. This is 2026 - these stories should NOT be happening any more! The NHS maternity system is broken and needs serious urgent repair to avoid more unnecessary tragedies happening to other families. Midwives are leaving in droves and don’t feel that their hospital care is safe enough to look after their patients. CHANGE IS CRUCIAL

03/01/2026

Muis - “Miscarriage Sculpture” - I read yet another uplifting but painful article in today’s The Saturday Times Magazine about couples desperately trying to get pregnant through IVF and egg donation treatments. Many of these stories thankfully end with happy endings but so many still don’t. Miscarriage, infertility and stillbirth are still super painful features in the birth world. Utter heartbreak for so many. My prayer for 2026 is to read much less about these and hear many more of the positive stories and outcomes 🙏 #2026

17/12/2025

Agazzi - “Mothers - Queens Painting” - this wonderful colourful painting gives shape to a body that holds life. Agazzi states “A pregnant female figure, suspended between fragility and power, wears a golden crown on her head, not as an ornament, but as truth. Her silent wait contains everything: courage, creation, undemanding love. The piping technique gently sculpts curves that are not just forms, but memory, care, origin. She is a mother. She is a queen. She is every woman who carries within her a world that does not yet exist and chooses, every day, to give birth to it”. The artist - whose work is rooted in the belief that art should not only be seen but felt - primarily works with thick acrylics, creating dense textured surfaces that almost look like meringues fresh out of a piping bag. The paint and texture is so thick you want to reach out and touch it. It looks almost edible!

10/12/2025

Yurkova - “She is Pregnant” - I’ve never come across a tapestry before of any art created through embroidery to do with pregnancy or birth. This delicate and subtle work is really beautiful - crafted so imaginatively with the dark colours against the light background that represents and reflects the subtle feelings of the woman with her changing body and impending birth. I absolutely love this!

28/11/2025

van Eyck - The National Gallery shared this famous image of “The Arnolfini Portrait” also known as the “The Arnolfini Marriage” - lots of books have been written about this painting and the meaning of the symbolisms behind it. The husband is assumed to be praying for his wife’s pregnancy and impending birth. The intensity of the image definitely implies fervent wishes and tension in the lead up to what was then a highly dangerous life experience. The numbers of women who died in childbirth then was staggering - how blessed we are today that this has changed

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London

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http://www.ukdoula.com/

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