I have two children and I have had two very different birth experiences. Michael was born in 2003 by emergency caesarean, under general anaesthetic, after an unsupported and heavily medicalised labour. My mum was not present at the birth but she was like a post-natal Doula and her help enabled me to make a relatively quick recovery.

Blake was born at home, in water, in 2006 with the support of an Independent Midwife (IM). My IM empowered me to believe in myself and my ability to give birth normally. As a consequence my homebirth has had an extremely positive affect on my life.

I am very familiar with local maternity services and I know what women’s rights in maternity care are. I have been voluntarily supporting women (and partners), since November 2006, as follows:

* I founded Sheffield Homebirth Group - a support group for women planning homebirths in Sheffield www.sheffieldhomebirth.org.uk

* I represent maternity service users in my role as Chair of Sheffield Maternity Services Liaison Committee (MSLC) and Sheffield Maternity Forum www.sheffieldmaternityforum.org.uk

* I am an AIMS (Association for Improvements in the Maternity Services) Committee member www.aims.org.uk

*I run 'Choices in Childbirth' workshops with Olivia Lester www.sheffieldchoicesinchildbirth.com

* I am an Independent Midwives UK Board member.

To contact me please email: mail@sheffieldbirthdoula.com


Photo © Michelle Barnes