The Doula Gem

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The Doula Gem

I am a certified birth and postnatal doula, supporting families in Swindon, Salisbury, Wiltshire and surrounding counties

16/10/2025

⭐️BIRTH PLACE: CONSIDER THIS⭐️

If you are yo-yo-ing between a home birth and hospital birth or even vaguely considering a home birth, this is what you need to know…

Home birth = home turf

You choose who enters your space, how it is set up, what the vibe is.

In hospital or even in a midwife led unit, you don’t get to call the shots quite so much. It’s difficult to control who is coming in and out of the room, it can be very tricky (although not impossible!) to create an environment which is conducive to oxytocin flowing well (dark, quiet, private).

If you would like to learn more or you are keen to schedule a call to see if I am the right doula for you, do get in touch via the link in my bio 💛

08/10/2025

⭐️ SIZE OF CERVIX IN LABOUR ⭐️

Without doubt you have heard that you need to get to 10cm before you can start pushing. Remember, this is an average and we’re all different!

Trust your body and instincts rather than focusing on this number that may or may not be right for you and your baby…maybe you’ll start pushing at 8cm, maybe at 12cm.

Either way, in a straightforward labour, you don’t need to measure how many centimetres you are (vaginal examinations can slow things down by interrupting labour) and the clearest sign that your baby is ready to be born is that you feel the urge to push!

If you’d like to explore doula support for your birth or postnatal period, please get in touch via the link in my bio. It would be great to chat! 💛

30/09/2025

⭐️ BIRTH CLIENT TESTIMONIAL ⭐️

When this couple came to me, they were excited but a little nervous about birth having heard many stories from friends and family. Over the time I worked with them, the excitement grew as the knowledge grew and they had the most wonderful, empowering birth.

What a joy and privilege it was to walk alongside them as they navigated their pregnancy, labour and birth.

To receive a heartfelt review like this means the world to me and I’m so pleased they felt held and supported throughout my time with them. It’s everything I strive for.

If you are looking for a warm, caring down-to-earth doula who will be there for you every step of the way, please get in touch and we can have a chat. I would love to get to know you and see if I am the right fit for you and your family 💛

You can read more reviews from families I’ve worked with on my Google page or website; just follow the link in my bio.

23/09/2025

⭐️ CORD CLAMPING ⭐️
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The moment your baby is born, their cord is still pulsing with oxygen-rich blood.

One of the simplest yet most powerful things we can do at birth is to wait. Optimal cord clamping means giving your baby time to receive all that rich, oxygenated blood still pulsing through the umbilical cord, up to 30% more blood volume, stem cells and iron stores.

NICE guidelines recommend waiting at least 1 minute but the benefits of waiting until the cord stops pulsing and turns white are huge and something I believe every pregnant person should know about. It must also be noted there are circumstances in which optimal cord clamping is not always possible and it is important to know when this is the case.

As your doula, I’m here to inform you of your choices and fully support them, whether you want to wait 1 minute or leave the cord attached until it naturally detaches from your baby days later.

If you’d like to explore doula support for your birth or postnatal period, get in touch via the link in my bio. It would be great to chat!

08/09/2025

⭐️WATER BIRTH⭐️

Did you know around 10% of women in the UK give birth in a pool? And nearly 20% use water for pain relief?

Water birth is the process of giving birth in water using a deep bath or birthing pool.

You may also decide to use a pool, bath or shower for pain relief during labour but give birth on ‘dry land’. Many people find water incredibly soothing and grounding (I have seen this many times firsthand), so it’s worth a go when in labour.

Have you used or considered using a pool for birth? Let me know in the comments below! ⬇️

04/07/2025

⭐️ PRODROMAL LABOUR ⭐️

Is your labour stopping and starting? Has someone said to you ‘oh that could be false labour’? If so, I want you to know that every ni**le, twinge, contraction or sensation has a purpose and there is nothing ‘false’ about it!

Your body is preparing, it may be happening because your baby could need a bit of helping getting in to an optimal position (check out Biomechanics for Birth or Spinning Babies) and you have the opportunity to practice your breathing.

It can be incredibly frustrating and exhausting so take time to rest when you can, fuel yourself with nourishing food and give yourself the space to tune in to your body and work on your mindset.

If you want to explore having a doula for your birth or postpartum, in person or virtually, drop me a message or contact me via the link in my bio 💛

24/06/2025

⭐️ BLOG: BABYWEARING ⭐️

As a doula, one of the most beautiful (and useful!) tools I share with new parents is babywearing. It’s not just about convenience (although it’s a lifesaver for getting things done!), it’s about building secure attachment, calming your baby with your heartbeat and embracing the rhythm of early parenthood. You can continue to carry your baby for years, nurturing your attachment in to the toddler years and beyond.

In my latest blog post (which you can find via the link in my bio), I dive into:

- The physical and emotional benefits of babywearing
- How it supports baby’s development and bonding
- Essential safety tips to wear your baby confidently
- How to get started and choose what’s right for you

Whether you’re a brand new parent or just curious about babywearing, feel free to get in touch. I love talking about how amazing slings are and I’m always happy to chat through any concerns you may have.

Find my blog via the link in my bio 💛
 

Address

Pewsey

Website

http://www.thedoulagem.co.uk/

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