My Beliefs

Childbirth is an amazing and life-changing experience.  Too often the focus is on what might go wrong, rather than on how incredibly well designed our bodies are to perform this natural function.

I believe that women (and their partners) who are given an opportunity to discuss their feelings about birth, and who are given good information and support will be able to have a birth with minimal medical intervention.  The key is to empower the woman to be as fear-free as possible, and to trust her own body to be able to labour easily and safely.  The safest and best place for a woman to give birth is where she feels safest.

Getting to know you, your family and what you want will enable me to encourage your partner to participate in the birth at a level at which they feel comfortable, and help everyone involved to communicate with each other.

Both before, during and after the birth, I will help you to get access to any equipment that you feel you may need.  Every woman and every baby is different, so you are the one who can best decide what your needs are.  I feel that my role is to facilitate rather than to take a lead, so whatever support you feel you need, please just ask, and then we can discuss the options.  I will always be as flexible as I can to fit in with your own unique circumstances.  I will provide you with telephone and e-mail support to help you adjust to the sometimes overwhelming emotional and practical demands of parenthood.

I believe in the concept of a "baby moon", where the new mother has a full month to recover from the birth and to bond with her new baby.  My aim is to enable you to just focus on your new baby (or babies) and to adjust to your new role, by helping to relieve the pressures of other responsibilities.  My role is to empower and support you by helping with the baby, older siblings, or around the house and by offering encouragement and suggestions.

Breastfeeding offers the best nourishment for a baby's development, and I believe it is vital that women are given more information and support about establishing and maintaining good breastfeeding techniques.  When circumstances suggest it, I will consider staying overnight in order to help you overcome any difficulties.  The right information and support at the right time is often all that is needed.

Please see my "Links" page for a list of websites about breastfeeding.

I will always try to be as fair as I can in all my decisions, and to take into account your own circumstances.  Where there is a way to keep your own costs down, for example by making use of Tax Credits, then I will attempt to do this.  I am happy to discuss monthly payments or a reduced fee depending on your circumstances.

Page last updated : 18th January 2008

CradleCare
Claremont North 58 Burnley Rd
Todmorden
West Yorkshire
OL14 5LH

01706 815490