Any doula recommendations in sw London?

[leannac]

I had a horrific birth with my daughter. Was refused gas & air from 4cm with back to back labour, left to push for 3 hrs without pain relief until emergency venteuse, then after the birth was left in a pool of blood for hrs feeling progressively more & more ill until 5 hrs after labour finally I was screaming in pain so they finally checked me out, discovered I had 2 huge haematoma, had lost 5litres of blood & had to get whisked off to a 4 hr surgery with a quick epidural en route.

I am now pregnant with number 2 & am quite scared as I was very traumatised after the last birth & it took me a long time to get over. I've heard that doulas can help control a birth & make it more serene & less traumatic. Plus I'd like the idea of someone being on my side as last time when midwives were rubbish, dh & myself were too shell shocked to fight for better medical care.

Has anyone used a doula & can recommend the experience? Particularly doulas in the Wimbledon area would be great!

Hi, I "used" Lon Gibbons 3 years ago when she was still a trainee. She was lovely and although not that helpful during the birth (because I called her a bit late, not because of anything she did), she was great the few days prior to the birth. I was unexpectedly told that I needed to be induced ( I was planning a water birth) and I freaked out. She looked at all the options for me and we talked it through and I felt much better.

Good luck x

I've used Siobhan Pearce for all 3 of my pregnancies. She is great ! Ver caring and really looks after you. I'm really proud to call her my friend now too!
She is based in Wimbledon too
Good luck!!

Thank you for the recommendations. I'll try both!

Howdy!
I can second Siobhan!!! Had her with my first - she kept me calm and comforted at home for as long as I was comfortable (well, as comfortable as you can be in labour). We got to the hospital when I was 8cm and got in the pool and had my baby an hour and a half later! It was so empowering. I think it would've been a different story if it had not been for her and my husband's support.
I've already booked her in for my second (not even pregnant yet)
Good luck

Funnily enough Siobhan was Lon's back up as she took me on quite late during my pregnancy and she already had someone who could possibly go into labour at the same time as me!

x