Anna Dou
Doula in Hertsmere
Female Member since Feb 2018 Last Updated Oct 2024 Last Login 14 Oct 2024
My Summary
About Me
Hi I’m Anna and I’m a Recognised postnatal doula, registered with Doula UK. I have also trained to be a birth doula.
I believe that the first few weeks and months with your baby are so important and that every mother should have the support that she needs to feel confident in her own abilities as a new mother.
I live in Bushey, Hertfordshire with my husband and two lively, active boys who are nine and twelve years old. I have always enjoyed working with and supporting families and young children. I trained as an Early Years teacher. I worked in school nurseries and then in the nursery of a Children’s Centre in North London.
I then worked as a Family Support and Outreach Worker in the Children’s Centre for six years. This role was very varied and each day was different. I ran groups for parents and babies/young children including Baby Massage, Sensory Baby, Rhyme Time and Stay and Play. I provided outreach support to families from all walks of life, in their own homes and at the Children’s Centre. I also provided parents with information and sign posted them to other services in the local area. I did not return to the Children’s Centre after my maternity leave two years ago and since then I have run Baby Massage and Messy Play sessions.
As a postnatal doula I use the skills and experience that I developed as a Family Support and Outreach worker to support families in their own homes with a new baby or babies and older children.
My Experience
Since the birth of my second son I have taken a keen interest in the support and services that are available for parents of babies and young children and have researched baby and child development, particularly around sleep and feeding issues. I have training in Sleep in Babies and Young Children and Reflux and Early Allergies.
I believe that every baby and every family is unique so the ways that I may support families may differ, but some of the ways I can help are:
Providing practical and emotional support
Non-judgemental, supporting your choices and make suggestions to help you
A listening ear, if you want to talk about the birth of your baby or any concerns you may have
Baby care assistance
Practical support caring for baby while you take time to rest, shower, bath, have time to yourself
Breastfeeding and formula feeding support
Sleep support
Reflux support
Baby massage – explaining the different ways that this can benefit your baby and showing you techniques to use on different parts of the body. I can also run a workshop or classes for you and a group of friends.
Prepare nutritious meals – for your lunch and an evening meal
Looking after older children
Light housework – general tidying, loading dishwasher, washing clothes
Help to prepare home before birth of baby – and life with a baby or life with baby and older children
I see that my role as a postnatal doula is to support mothers and the whole family in any way that I can in order to help the transition to becoming parents of a new baby. I will empower a new mother so that she feels confident to care for her baby and make decisions about the care of her baby, while feeling able to manage household tasks and generally feel positive about her new role as a mother.
My Qualifications
Birth Doula Training, Developing Doulas
Developmental Baby Massage, International School of Developmental Baby Massage and Movement
Sleep in Babies and Young Children and Sleep Training, Level 3, OCN Credit for Learning
Reflux and Early Allergies, Level 3, OCN Credit for Learning
Younique Postnatal Initial Doula Preparation Course
British Red Cross Baby & Child First Aid Training
DBS
Breastfeeding Peer Supporter Training
My Availability
I am available from November 2024
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Before School | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Morning | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | yes |
| Afternoon | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | yes |
| After School | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Evening | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Overnight | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Last Updated: 14/10/2024 | |||||||
My Fees
- Doulas from £22.90 per hour
My Documents
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