Expert Doula

Breastfeeding Counsellor

Massage

My journey to becoming a doula

 

I live in Godalming, Surrey with my husband Adie. We have two sons, Henry and Corry, born in 1995 and 1997. I gave birth to them both at the Royal Surrey County Hospital. Henry arrived with lots of intervention (argh!) and Corry naturally.  It’s only with hindsight I realise how little I knew about pregnancy and childbirth and that I did have choice at every step of the way. I was extremely positive about giving birth before my first, after all, it just happens right?! I took a passive role in both births because at the time I had little information and hadn’t found my voice.

Raising our children has been the greatest pleasure and achievement in my life. Having been a doula for a few friends, and with my sons grown up,  I felt in a strong position to support and nurture others on their unique journey into parenthood, so I became a certified  doula, registered with Doula UK.  Offering encouragement, guidance and friendship in my capacity as a doula is an honour and the miracle of birth and new life never cease to amaze and inspire me.

I carry around the experience gained as a mother myself but also from my years working in business and learning how to communicate effectively.

I keep my knowledge fresh and up-to-date with regular study days and workshops, however my source of eternal wonder and learning comes from all families that I have had the pleasure to work with and know.  My personal approach is to be intuitive and respectful of people’s  differences of opinion and I’m always open minded.  The way I live doesn’t influence the way I support my clients. I relish supporting and helping them discover their own individual, unique and wonderful way of birthing and raising a family.

I’m a very good communicator, trustworthy, punctual, flexible, committed and I’m happy to fit in with you and your family dynamics.  My outlook on life is very positive and I adore meeting people and watching new families flourish.

Outside of work, I love spending time with family and friends, my dogs and cats, laughter, the wonderful aroma and taste of good coffee, a glass of chilled white wine, running, walking, exploring our beautiful countryside, travelling, food, reading, art, doodling, music, film and theatre.

postnatal doula surrey uk

“Being a doula is a vocation, a calling. It is why we are so drawn to giving from our hearts. It’s not always joy and oxytocin though. When we make a pledge to walk with our clients we do so with fierce loyalty and sometimes this means journeying to places that we’d all rather not go…and yet, we walk by their side, support, hold and listen, seek out information, signpost, offer hugs and tea and care. Sometimes our thoughts keep us up at night, sometimes we’re called to a birth at 2am never knowing when we’ll return home. Sometimes we ‘do’ and other times we ‘do nothing’ We learn with every interaction, we make mistakes and have to apologize, we are told “I couldn’t have done it without you” but we doulas know different! Mostly there is an abundance of deep satisfaction as a doula but we all need the light and shade in order to grow”

- Zara, Doulabud

Qualifications and experience

 

Expert Birth & Postnatal Doula

  • I am pleased to be affiliated with Doula UK as a recognised birth and postnatal doula and as such abide by their rules and code of conduct

  • Doula UK Doula of the Year Award 2018

  • Doula UK Doula Mentor of the Year Award 2018

Doula mentor support

  • I have been a Doula Course Facilitator for Developing Doulas since 2015. At the end of 2022, I co-facilitated my last (and very glorious!) cohort of new doulas. It has been such an honour, but it is time to move on and I am proud to hand over the baton.

  • I have been a Doula Mentor for Doula UK doulas since 2013

  • I am a Companion/Mentor for Developing Doulas.

  •  I organise many study days, work shops and events for birth workers

  • I set up and Admin a community FB group called Surrey Doulas & Friends

Mental health

  • I can help you to alleviate the symptoms of PTSD using The Rewind Technique  

  • I set up and admin the FB group, Surrey Doulas & Friends

  • I am a certified Breastfeeding Counsellor with the ABM

  • I am a Trustee for the wonderful charity, Maddie's Miracle

  • I offer voluntary breastfeeding support for Maddie’s Miracle

  • Special extras

  • I offer wonderful, relaxing massage both during pregnancy and in the postpartum period. I include massage in my packages but they can also be booked as stand alone sessions.

  • I am a fully qualified Teacher with KG Hypnobirthing and use my knowledge to support my doula clients rather than teaching it

  • I am a baby wearing Peer Supporter certified through Born to Carry

  • I have completed the Holistic Sleep Coach Training

  • I have trained with Carmelle Gentle The Infant Feeding & Tongue Tie Academy

“Her gentle non judgemental approach, sensitively offering options and helping me with the things I didn’t know I didn’t know and listening so acutely, all helped us have a fantastic HBAC (vbac at home).”

— Bethan and Gareth, Guildford

Contact doulabud

I hope the information on my website will have answered as many of your initial questions as possible.  You can contact me by phone, email and the contact form below. I really look forward to chatting with you soon.

zara@doulabud.co.uk

Book a call with Zara

07824 601414

01483 810491

Godalming, Surrey