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The Doula Club

Doula & Doula Matcher Hypnobirthing & Antenatal Classes, Pregnancy & Postnatal Yoga, Couples Yoga for Birth & Doula, North & East London

16/01/2026

I’m probably doing myself out of a job here, but I genuinely believe a huge amount of the value of doula support happens before you ever get to the birth room.

Understanding how birth works.

Knowing your options.

Feeling informed and not blindsided by the maternity system.

I also know a doula isn’t possible for everyone because of cost. If that’s you, this post is genuinely here to help.

That’s also why I created my online course, Ready Birth Go.

It’s built from a doula’s perspective and covers the same things I walk through with my clients when we’re preparing for birth. Not as a replacement for a doula, and not the only good option out there, but as one accessible way to get solid, evidence-based preparation and support.

There are lots of great courses available. What matters is that you feel informed, confident, and supported in your choices.

If you’re interested in a one-off birth planning session, you can DM me.

And just in case you need the reminder:

You are strong. You have grown and nurtured your baby. You already have everything you need to give birth.

Follow along for more birth tips, practical prep, and inside doula knowledge.

Cx

15/01/2026

just been to the toilet , wiped and met someone new? 👀

Meet your mucus plug.

The mucus plug is a thick collection of cervical mucus that seals the cervix during pregnancy. Its role is to reduce the risk of bacteria entering the uterus.

It forms early in pregnancy as hormone levels rise and the cervix becomes tightly closed.

It’s mucusy (not liquidy)
sometimes clear.
sometimes brown or blood-tinged.
sometimes known as “the bloody show” when it’s feeling fancy.

It’s very common to lose it in late pregnancy.

Annoyingly, it doesn’t always mean labour is imminent, but it’s a sign your cervix is changing, and things are moving in the right direction.

But…
Labour could be hours away.
or days.
or weeks.

It can come away all at once or gradually over several days, as well as during labour and birth. Some people never notice it.

Losing the mucus plug does not mean the waters have broken. Amniotic fluid is typically continuous and watery, not thick or jelly-like.

The mucus plug can regenerate if the cervix is not continuing to dilate.

If the mucus plug is green, foul-smelling, or accompanied by fever, pain, or heavy bleeding, that is not typical and should be assessed.

There is no evidence that losing the mucus plug alone increases infection risk or requires any action if everything else feels normal.

Did you know about the mucus plug? Did you notice yours? How close to labour starting did you lose it?

14/01/2026

The way you handle early labour can shape your entire birth experience.

Don’t waste energy trying to rush it - protect your rest, protect your power. Future you will thank you. ✨

Did you feel rested going into active labour, or were you already exhausted? How did it impact your birth experience?

Save this post as a reminder for the big day!

13/01/2026

Squatting is brilliant for birth. But your legs won’t thank you.

After 30 seconds in a deep squat during labour, most women are done. Their legs are shaking, they’re exhausted, and they give up on one of birth’s most effective positions.

Here are my go-to hacks after supporting 100’s of births:

Chair support: Hold the chair back with your arms - takes all the weight off your legs

Partner backrest: They sit on a chair, you lean back between their legs in a supported squat

Rebozo magic: Someone holds it tight, or you throw it over the stair bannister and pull yourself up.

All three give you a wide open pelvis, gravity working for you, powerful pushing position - but without the leg burn that makes you want to change position.

Squatting is also a lot easier in a pool as you’re weightless!

Try these at home (when you’re not in labour!) so you know which feels best for your body.

Save this for when you need gravity on your side 🔥

11/01/2026

So many people walk away from birth wondering “what the hell happened”.

So much planning, preparing, reading, and getting informed and it turns out to be the complete opposite of what you wanted.

You wonder “what went wrong”?

But it didn’t go wrong.

It was hijacked.

Hijacked by routine interventions that sound harmless…
Until one leads to another… and another…
And suddenly you’re in theatre asking, “How did we get here?”

This is The Birth Hijack:

➡️ A “just in case” intervention
➡️ Creates a complication
➡️ Justifies more intervention
➡️ Reinforces the belief that birth is dangerous and women need saving

But birth isn’t the problem.
The system is.

And here’s what breaks the hijack:

Ask:
“What are the risks?”

“What happens if we wait?”

“Is this urgent or just routine?”

Knowing what to ask is protection. It’s how you stay in control.

Of course, sometimes intervention is absolutely necessary.

And we’re incredibly lucky to have it when it’s truly needed.

But too often, it’s used routinely, not responsibly.

📌 Save this.

👯‍♀️ Share it with someone planning their birth.
Because no one deserves to be hijacked in labour.

09/01/2026

Most parents are surprised by what is actually possible in a cesarean. If the birth is stable, you can ask for:

• Optimal cord clamping
•Lotus birth
•Immediate and uninterrupted skin to skin
•Baby staying with you instead of going straight to the resuscitaire

This isn’t rare. It just requires a discussion and a confidence in what to request.

If you want help shaping a plan that gets taken seriously, you can message me or book a session.

I’ll talk you through exactly how to ask for this and what to expect so you go in prepared, not hoping.

08/01/2026

One thing I tell all my clients, and the essential thing to have in your birth plan regarding the 2nd stage of labour, is to a) be in a comfortable position that feels right for you and b) wait for the overwhelming urge to bear down.

Coached pushing is still common, but it isn’t evidence based. Most of the time it happens because of an unrealistic timeframe, not because your body is ready.

The NHS gives you two hours to push before they start intervening, so it’s another reason to avoid vaginal examinations. If no one knows how dilated you are, they can’t “start the clock”.

It is well within your rights to ask for more time, and none of your caregivers can or should rush you if you decline.

If the pressure starts building around you but you still don’t feel the urge, a simple “I’m waiting for my body to tell me” is enough. You don’t have to justify it.

If it takes longer than their timeframes and you’re feeling that pressure, try as many different positions as possible that don’t involve lying on a bed, semi-recumbent, or with your legs in stirrups. Try all fours, squatting, side lying with a leg up on someone’s shoulder, or standing up. Draw your knees together and turn your calves out, as this will open the space your baby comes out of.

Remember, your body will push when it’s ready. Use any gap between the first and second stages of labour to your advantage, and rest.

If you’re interested in doula support, get in touch x

04/01/2026

Quite a few of you have asked me for a post like this so here you go!

Most people don’t realise:

A caesarean birth can still be full of choice, if you plan for it.

Yes, even if it’s not what you originally intended.

Most C-sections aren’t true emergencies. They’re unplanned, which means there’s often time to ask for what matters to you.

These options - like delayed cord clamping, skin-to-skin in theatre, or even catching your own baby, are more likely to be possible in elective or unplanned C-sections.

I’ve seen them all so I know they’re possible!

And with C-section rates in many hospitals over 50%, it’s essential to plan for one, even if you’re aiming for a vaginal birth.

👉 Discuss your preferences with your doctor and midwife.
👉 Write them into your birth plan

👉 Ask the questions. Because if you don’t ask… you don’t get.

Did you know these things were possible? Did you request them?

My comprehensive birth course - Ready Birth Go - gives you the confidence, tools, and calm support you actually need for birth - link in bio

30/12/2025

I know how scary the idea of giving birth can be. I’ve done it three times (and felt the fear!) and supported hundreds of women during their pregnancies and births.

Fear is a completely normal and very common thing to feel!

When you see the positive pregnancy test, you feel an avalanche of emotions—excitement, apprehension, disbelief, worry and wonder (amongst a million others!).

Yet, for a lot of women, the fear of birth, of the unknown, will likely creep in as time passes and birth nears.

You might be constantly asking yourself, can I do this? Or, how is it even possible that I will get this baby out of my body?!

The horror stories you’ve heard don’t help. The media, which paints a picture of birth and maternity services that is terrifying, painful and unsafe, feels inescapable.

But you can do it. You will do it. Believe you can.

Whilst fear is normal, it doesn’t have to dominate your pregnancy or labour.

These tips will help along the way.

Carly x

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