Hi I'm Jenna, a forty something recognised birth and postnatal doula with Doula UK, pregnancy and postnatal yoga teacher and loving Mama of three.
There are so many different feelings during pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period as you become a Mum. Sometimes you need a bit of help to work through them all.
I work across Surrey and South West London and have supported many families at this life changing time as they welcome their babies into the world and have seen the impact the right emotional and practical support can have over the last ten years.
Whether you're looking for support for birth or the postnatal period, you're planning a home birth or a c birth, single or with your partner, I'm here for you. I live near Weybridge in Surrey and will travel up to an hour from my home to be with you.
My intuitive style means you get a very personal approach, so you feel really understood, really heard and really supported.
I hope that during our time together you’ll not only feel more calm and confident about birth and becoming a mother, whether it’s for the first or fourth time, but you’ll gain emotional tools for life, to support you moving forward as a family.
‘In giving birth to our babies, we may find we give birth to new possibilities within ourselves.’ Jon Kabat-Zinn
I am so passionate about women feeling free to be themselves and having the empowering birth experience they deserve.
I know just how overwhelming this time can be...I'm here to help you create space to work things through...I look forward to chatting.
Doula love
Jenna
x
Testimonials
‘Jenna was my doula for my first child. Her presence was invaluable hence me and my husband decided that we wanted Jenna for our second birth. It was the best decision we ever made. With the second very challenging birth, I fully trusted her and her doula tricks helped me to relax and feel supported at all times. The birth and it’s twists are only a memory now because of the way in which Jenna comforted me, always bringing a smile and quiet appreciation in my mind.’
Milena and Ned, April 2019 & July 2022
‘Getting in contact with Jenna was one of the best decisions I have ever made. After two complicated and fairly traumatic hospital births I was extremely anxious about delivering my third baby. Jenna helped me to process the previous trauma and get myself in the best possible mental place before labour. She supported me through my panic on the day, and was a hugely reassuring presence for my husband. Thanks to Jenna, I had a swift, straightforward and redemptive home birth. The experience couldn’t have been better and we couldn’t have done it without her!’
Laura and Dan, June 2022
‘We engaged Jenna as an overnight doula when we had our firstborn. Jenna is kind, soft spoken and helpful. We were glad to have found someone trustworthy like her to look after our newborn during the nights so we could get some much needed rest. We are currently expecting baby number two and I am sure we will be engaging her services again in the near future.’
Mershel and U-Peng, July 2020 & January 2023
‘Before working with Jenna, I thought the biggest benefit of a doula was surely the help during labour itself — I completely underestimated how much comfort, reassurance and counsel she would provide well before we ever got there. I will never forget calling her when my nerves got to be too much a couple of weeks before I was due - I shared with her my insecurities and fears, and she listened, talked and helped me come up with techniques to calm my worries. You will be able to feel the calm that she spreads from the first time you speak to her.’
Kristen and Matt, February 2021
‘Jenna was a voice of calm with a wealth of experience in supporting me during the birth of my first child. Jenna has a special gift of being gentle, calming and supportive and really knowing her stuff with a mass of experience!
Jenna always managed to have a positive view on things and change my mindset which was awesome. I always recall me feeling sad that my second child wouldn’t get the same of my attention as my first and her reply was - he gets to join a family and has all the delights of an older sibling which will be so fun for him which totally shifted my view of this to a positive one.’
Lauren and Graeme, January 2019 & April 2021
‘Jenna is an amazing doula at the ready to support hand and foot like an angel in the night you never knew you needed. I struggled after my C-section and needed the support in hospital especially during recovery with a newborn while my husband was at home with our older child. We didn’t have family support locally and she gives that and more. Would highly recommend.’
Lucia, January 2020
'Jenna has been an absolute privilege to not only meet, but to have as my doula. I couldn't have wished for anyone more perfect. She was so very nurturing and spiritual, yet down to earth...an absolute rock at a time when I felt very vulnerable. Words cannot describe the strength she pulled out of me, to create the birth experience I wanted. I sincerely wish she had been at all my births! My partner found her amazingly supportive and my children adored her! She will always hold a special place in our hearts and I can throughly recommend her...thank you Jenna! xx'
Sara & Steve, December 2016, January 2019 & August 2020
‘Jenna was an amazing support for our family. Her pre-birth sessions were always something I looked forward to as I felt safe and relaxed. Jenna, my husband and I were a team together and it felt like that throughout my birthing journey. Jenna’s experience, kindness and calming influence was so reassuring to us all. I’d highly recommend Jenna to anyone who needs a helping hand or just a hand to hold. Thank you Jenna.’
Clarissa and Ed, November 2019
‘I can’t say enough good about Jenna. From our first meeting she radiated with reassuring kindness, and she was such a calming influence on me in the weeks leading up to the birth of my daughter. She made me feel empowered even in the face of an induction I was extremely anxious about; she supported all my decisions and (literally) held my hand along every step of the way. Whenever I came to her with an anxiety, she always found a way to reframe it that calmed me and helped me look at both positive and negative sides to my concerns. I can’t recommend her enough - I wouldn’t have made it through my labour without her wise and gentle guidance and loving support.’
Bridget and Kim, September 2019
'Jenna was a fantastic support to us in the late stages of our pregnancy, during the birth and after. Jenna was like a sea of calm and comfort during an exciting, but also a somewhat daunting time! After only a few chats with her I felt empowered and confident in myself both for the labour and afterwards as a new mother. Her suggestions and ideas around the birth truly helped during labour, and I have no doubt that my ability to keep relatively calm during labour was largely thanks to her.'
Clare & Dave, September 2015, January 2017 & July 2019
‘Where to start…from day one Jenna was amazing, her calm, reassuring presence and easy non-judgemental manner made it seem like we had known each other for ages. Jenna provided emotional and practical support through both my labour and in the months after we brought our son home. It’s hard to put into words just how invaluable it was to have Jenna on our team, I had quite a long birth and things didn’t quite go to plan, she provided reassurance, support, emotional strength to both myself and my husband, translated the doctors’ speak, allowed my husband to take a few minutes to gather his thoughts when needed knowing I was still being well supported. All without being intrusive. I would say having Jenna there transformed our experience.’
Nicola and Adrian, August 2019 & January 2022
‘Our baby daughter was due in April 2019. As first time parents, we decided that we wanted to welcome our baby and to spend these precious early weeks without our extended families who are abroad anyway. However, birth is unpredictable and our case proved it once again, so we wanted an experienced person on our side. We think we were really blessed to have Jenna as our doula.
The antenatal meetings were a very important time getting to know each other. I was very pleased that Jenna was very open-minded and calm, she shared my understanding of birth which made me really peaceful and relaxed. At this stage I had read a lot about birthing and didn’t need additional information but a person to trust and to support me mentally which Jenna definitely did. She was very encouraging to Ned as well who was very reluctant and not confident in my positive birth ideas.
Our planned home birth turned into an induction and ended up with a c-section. I am still amazed how Jenna had memorised my understanding of birth and tried to advocate with midwives and doctors all the time so I could deliver my baby as close as possible to my idea. She was behind Ned to explain to him why every intervention was needed or simply to give him courage. She was next to me in his absence but she gave us a lot of privacy and never interfered with our opinion without being asked. We treasure her presence so much during the long hours of labour.
Postnatally, the way Jenna held our little bundle of joy showed me once more how much she loves babies and how great she is in what she does. Her parenting tips were so simple but so useful. For example, I was really worried about baby bathing. Our baby has never cried when we bath her and bath time is always fun thanks to Jenna.’
Milena and Ned, April 2019
‘Since as young as I can remember I have always been scared of giving birth, in fact terrified is a more accurate description, it has always been my biggest fear. Finding out in early 2018 that I was pregnant, was the most exciting news but immediately my mind took over and my anxiety grew and grew for the birth of our son. I came across Jenna’s profile online when I was 7 months pregnant, the support from her for my partner and I was invaluable, she immediately calmed my mind and helped me to feel confident in my body’s abilities. She was by my side throughout my whole labour whether it was to rub my feet, put cool flannels on my face or just hold my hand, her calming presence and words of encouragement got me through when I wanted to give up.
Jenna now forever has a special place in my heart, for helping me on the most wonderful day of my life. No amount of thankyous could ever be enough to express how grateful we are for her continued support and love throughout my pregnancy and labour.’
Tamsyn and Cameron, August 2018
‘As a single mum-to-be I had initially planned to give birth with just the support of a midwife. However, after reading a Positive Birth book which talked about the importance of having support and consistency during labour, I asked my midwife about doulas. She put me in touch with someone who recommended Jenna.
I am so glad that I got that recommendation as I genuinely don’t know what I would have done without Jenna’s support during what turned out to be a difficult and long labour.
Jenna was there throughout, giving me encouragement, cuddles, water, massage, stroking my arm, making the room calm and cosy with tea lights, music and oils. She had taken the time to get to know what was important to me and did everything she could to help make that happen. She stayed with me until I was comfortable in the postnatal ward despite the fact she hadn’t slept for at least 30 hours, and when I got home from hospital feeling overwhelmed and struggling with breastfeeding, she appeared on my doorstep with breakfast, a cuddle, and details of where to find information and support, even putting a call in to one of her friends who gave me some helpful advice over the phone.
Jenna has such a wonderful, positive and calming energy. She is so warm and non-judgemental that you instantly feel at ease and feel like you have been friends forever.
It is difficult to express in words the difference Jenna made, but she made such an impact that I named my little girl Lucy Jenna so that we would always have a reminder of such a special person at the start of our adventure.’
Clare, August 2018
‘Jenna was a massive lifesaver for myself and my husband during pregnancy. She was always available during a time for me that was filled with a lot of anxiety and always made time for any questions or worries I had. Despite all of the anxiety I had around labour, the birth could not have gone more smoothly and I think Jenna was a big reason things went so well and I was able to remain calm throughout. I would not hesitate to recommend Jenna and would want her to be my doula again if I have any more children in future.’
Adrianne and Tom, June 2018
'Jenna’s calm and sensible approach was a perfect compliment to us as first time parents and we are very glad we chose her as our doula. She was a great support in the run up to the birth and I often turned to her in various states of panic about something the midwife may have said or something I read online (!). In the birth room itself her calm demeanour was really helpful and she blended in and let us have our space but knew when and how to step in and help where needed and had various tools and tactics that came in useful during labour, and supported our birth plan. We had a difficult labour and Jenna was invaluable in helping us through and supporting us throughout - not sure what we would have done without her. Above all, Jenna is a really really great listener and even though my baby is 8 months we are still in contact and in such a fast paced world her ability to listen and observe impartially are qualities for which I have great respect.'
Lindsey and James, October 2017
'Jenna is a very warm person. Retrospectively, that warmness is what I appreciate most. It made an evident difference in particular to my delivery, and postnatal experience. After all, giving birth is a more personal experience than just medical. Her warmness is just so comforting in the delivery room and when I had to stay in the hospital with my newborn for his jaundice.
In addition, the workshop she organised for us as a doula had a very positive impact on me. I guess, sometimes seeing things from a slightly different angle make you appreciate them more. And this, I think, is particularly refreshing when you are 30 something weeks and delivery becomes more real than ever, hence, you start to get nervous, even the second time.
I would certainly recommend Jenna as a doula. And here I wish all to-be mums good luck; I'm sure Jenna's help would also bring a positive experience for you.'
Danni and Mark, August 2017
'There are times in life when you just know something feels right... meeting Jenna was like that. Both my husband Grant and I walked back from our first 'positive birth meeting' really pumped and excited... we were like - 'she's AWESOME!'... Grant who'd known nothing about what a doula was 3hrs beforehand was as keen as I was to have her part of our birth.
All births are a unique journey it seems and mine was no different, I went into labour at over 43weeks, a challenge I hadn't foreseen and one that came with a lot of stress and pressure from the world around me.
Jenna didn't make choices or decisions for me. She allowed me to make my own and stayed with me whilst I went through the process of trying to figure that out... she didn't judge me, she held me... and in late pregnancy it turns out that this is a really rare and beautiful gift ;)
I'm eternally grateful that Jenna was there from the moment I needed her in early labour all the way through to Finn being born... and not just there - really present. To be fair I chose her as I felt a strong connection and bond... yet during the labour it was like she merged into my energy field... and knew when to stroke my hand... or would pass me water just as I realised I needed it... and would know the small question or comment I needed to hear in order to help me go within and regroup myself... In something as intense and unknown as labour it's just incredible to have someone who can be the 'constant, reassuring pillar' so that you don't have to... and so you can always find your way back to a familiar centre when you need it or when it all feels too much. Jenna was an amazing pillar for me. She still is. Thank you x'
Olivia & Grant, March 2017
'This was our first birth (a home-birth to begin with and transfer to hospital), we are very glad that we chose to have a Doula, and Jenna was perfect for us. She was able to answer our questions and address our concerns in the meetings at our home, which helped to keep us relaxed and confident, and gave us a chance to get to know her. She was able to give us lots of helpful advice, for example: putting us in touch with an amazing pre-natal massage therapist (Laura) and a local birth-pool hire person (saving us money on buying a new one). On the morning of the birth Jenna got to our house quickly, she was a very calm, steady and supportive person from the moment she arrived. We had 3 different midwives come to our home during the morning, and when we transferred to hospital in the afternoon there were several new midwives and doctors. Jenna was with us throughout the whole day and evening, helping to keep Emily calm and focused, until 1 hour after the birth of baby Josephine (around 1am). It was so good to have her with us throughout the whole process – to have one constant person that we knew well supporting us during quite a dramatic birth. The post-birth support has been very helpful too (immediately after the birth, and for several weeks afterwards). Jenna, a mum with her own two children, has also helped Emily to connect with some of the other local mums, which has been nice for her to meet new people in the same boat as her.
Thank you Jenna, love from Emily, Dylan and Josie Xxx'
Emily & Dylan, July 2016
'Jenna is incredibly calm and reassuring but has a quiet strength about her, we were so lucky to have her supporting us for the birth. Jenna was great at listening to what support we needed and she tailored her pre natal visits to this. She also gave us good birth support after the birth and sign posted us to lots of useful resources throughout. We had the calm, quiet, hypnobirth at home that we had hoped for. I would encourage everyone to seriously consider hiring a doula when preparing for their birth and would highly recommend Jenna.'
Susan and Luke, April 2016
'Jenna is kind natured and empathetic. She fully supported and empowered me with my birth preferences. I honestly don't think I would have had the confidence to have a natural home birth without her support.'
Home birth Mama, October 2015
'As soon as you came in, there was a sort of quiet calm, which spread from you to everyone around. I wasn't sure there was much need for me after you arrived but not only did you support Cat but you really helped me find my place and see where I could help and support her. It was just amazing having you here.'
Birth partner, October 2015
'Thoughtful and empathetic, Jenna provided consistent support throughout. She supported my wishes to avoid an induction by referring me to the evidencebasedbirth.com website as well as the AIMS website and encouraged me to call the AIMS support helpline as well as making me aware that I was within my rights to ask for a meeting with my hospital’s Supervisor of Midwives when I was still unhappy after being pushed towards an induction by my consultant. Jenna helped me realise that I always had a choice in the matter.
Jenna was very supportive and kept in touch with me with messages of support and reassurance. During labour, Jenna provided constant emotional support for me and my partner. She was very good in keeping the choices I'd made beforehand in mind and reminding both me and my partner of them but not pushing the point. The choice was always up to us. During the active labour stage, Jenna was happy to let my partner take the lead in supporting me but it was good to know she was there to step in if needed. We thought everything that Jenna did was spot on and can’t think how it could have been improved.'
Eva & Rob, July 2015
'Although circumstances meant that I didn't end up using Jenna as a birthing partner she still supported me towards the end of my pregnancy and was always there to help me with any questions and concerns I had about giving birth and she was an extremely positive and helpful support post birth. I could not recommend her more and any mother-to-be would be lucky to share her birthing experience with the calm, kind and positive force that Jenna is.'
Karina, March 2015
'I highly recommend Jenna as a doula...she provided questions and guided me to find a complete birth plan that I might not have done on my own. She helped me view the pain of birth as a positive process, which was essential in my ability to handle the pain.'
'I thought Jenna was amazing from start to finish. From the very beginning she embodied what we hoped for and expected from a doula. She was calm and calming, thoughtful of and focussed on Philippa's needs and how to help her and me overcome our fears. She was approachable and adaptable. She also helped me much more than I was expecting offering reassurance, encouragement and calm. This in turn gave me more strength to help Philippa. I couldn't recommend her enough.'
Philippa & Ed, July 2014 & May 2016
'Jenna was amazing during labour! I had an epic 36 hour labour and she was supportive, informative and helpful throughout.'
Ali, April 2014