Why a Doula

Hi, I’m Leanne.

My own birth experiences have deeply shaped the way I support families today. My first birth ended in an unexpected caesarean, an experience that led me to reflect, learn, and explore birth more deeply. With time, education, and healing, I went on to have a powerful unassisted home birth with my second baby. These experiences have given me a profound respect for informed choice, physiological birth, and the importance of parents feeling supported, heard, and empowered in their own unique journeys.

What Qualifies Me

I have a professional background is in nursing, with over 14 years of experience in the NHS. I am a Registered Nurse and hold a Specialist Practitioner Qualification (SPQ) in District Nursing. Through both my clinical career and my own experiences of motherhood, I felt called to support families through the transformative journey into parenthood.

Navigating pregnancy and birth within the NHS can sometimes feel overwhelming or rushed due to the pressures on the service. Through Doula Diary, my aim is to bridge that gap by creating space for you to feel informed, supported and confident in the choices you make for your pregnancy, birth and early parenthood.

I am passionate about facilitating informed choice, helping you build a trusting relationship with your healthcare providers, and ensuring you feel heard and empowered throughout your journey.

Bringing your birthing village together is at the heart of Doula Diary. When your support team, healthcare providers and family are aligned with your vision for birth and the transition into motherhood, it creates the best foundation for a positive and peaceful experience.

Alongside my nursing background, I hold a range of specialist training including:

• Qualified Doula with The Original Birth Connection

• Trauma-informed care training

• Biomechanics for birth experience

• Fertility support and postpartum healing expertise

• Aromatherapy and homeopathy for childbirth

• Mother Blessing ceremony facilitator

• Qualified Baby Massage Teacher with Blossom and Berry

• Qualified Baby Yoga Teacher with Blossom and Berry

• In-person Peer Support Group Facilitator with PANDAS Foundation

Certificates are available upon request.

If you would like to explore how I can support you, book a free 30 minute chat with me to discuss my offerings or message me at doula_diary@hotmail.com if you can’t find a suitable day or time in my calendar.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Your Local Cumbrian Doula,

Leanne x

A woman smiling outdoors on a sunny day, sitting on a pink yoga mat, holding a baby doll, with a sign in the background that reads 'Welcome to Baby Massage & Baby Yoga @Doula Diary,' and surrounded by trees, flowers, and lush greenery.

A Truly Transformational Birth Experience ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Trust Pilot Review

After experiencing trauma from my first birth six years ago, I carried a lot of fear and doubt into this pregnancy. Leanne gently helped me shift my mindset, guiding me to see birth not as something to fear, but as something I could approach with confidence and trust. She provided me with knowledge, supported me with compassion, and empowered me to understand that this birth was my choice that I could have the experience I truly wanted.

Our beautiful baby girl was born at home in the water birth pool, using a birth sling during labour and other tools she thoughtfully provided for us. It was everything we had hoped for. Although we later needed to be transferred to hospital and stayed for a week due to tearing and blood loss, her support did not stop there. During one of the most vulnerable and challenging times in hospital, she stood by us physically and mentally to help support. She assisted me in the shower when I felt weak, brought us groceries, cooked and delivered her own homemade food, and even prepared my placenta capsules with such professionalism and respect.

Because we had to rush to the hospital, our home was left exactly as you would imagine after a birth. Yet when we returned, everything had been taken care of. The towels used during labour were washed and folded, the birth pool had been removed and the house was cleaned. She went above and beyond in ways we could never have expected.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Outdoor setting with pink yoga mats aligned in a semicircle on the grass, decorated with colorful toy balls and small toys. In the center, there is a small blue circular rug and plush toys including swans. Two pink umbrellas provide shade, and a small wooden structure with a hill and stones in the background. The scene appears to be prepared for a children's activity or baby yoga session.

TESTIMONIALS

  • "Leanne helped me overcome the obstacles that were put in my way to achieve the birth I wanted"

    — Sam (Doula Client)

  • "I highly recommend Leanne she is a wonderful Doula"

    — Amanda

  • "Thank you so much for supporting me through my pregnancy and birth of my little boy, we were so lucky to have you supporting us"

    — Sam

  • "Leanne was our Guardian & I had my dream birth experience because of it"

    Ylana (Doula Client)

  • "Leanne came in, did God's work & left. She is the ultimate fairy birth mother"

    Scott (Doula Client)