I am now into my 4^th year  at the University of Northampton.  Since joining as part of the  Service User Care Group in 2020 I have been actively involved in the midwifery interview process.

As a Birth Practitioner I am now an Associate Lecturer at the University.  Not sure quite how that happened but I feel honoured to be given a ‘slot’ with the Y1 Midwifery cohort to ‘openly discuss  the benefits of a positive relationship between our wonderful midwives and doulas.   The intention is, as the midwives go into placement they will build s positive and supportive relationships with all the doulas they meet.  It’s all about making sure we are all ‘with woman’ during their birth journey.
I also support the senior lecturers in midwifery with the VIVA examinations and other mid-term assessments, along with feeding back to the postgraduate midwives studying for their NIPE qualification, this is from a Maternity Voices Partnership point of view.  It’s all really enjoyable and truly does make me feel uplifted and part of a team.  Living in the middle of nowhere in the Fens I need that!

Here at the end of World Doula Week I wanted to share a reflection on our most recent BirthTactics birth. 

Baby B arrived by C -section on Monday 21st March, which was coincidentally day one of World Doula Week. I had been puzzling over how to share what doulas do, baby B arrived and on reflection this is the perfect example of how we can support women and their partners through the changing ‘tactics’ of labour and birth. R and S, baby B’s parents, had an early ‘scare’ which resulted in them attending a hospital out of their area for monitoring of R and their beautiful baby bump.

How a doula can support you throughout your birth journey and how to find the right doula for you.

I wrote this for Juno Magazine a few years ago. It is still relevant when you are thinking about Doula care and how you will know a Doula is right for you. This is an abridged version of the original article. doula doulas (plural noun) ‘a woman who gives support, help, and advice to another woman during pregnancy and during and after the birth’ Pregnancy, labour and birth. Saying, hearing and feeling these words can provoke powerful emotions of absolute joy or total fear. At any one moment in time on the journey to birth and new life it is ok to faulter, to stop, to need and to search for the link that ensures your birth is beautiful and empowering. That link could be your doula. There are so very many questions in pregnancy that could lead to considering doula support, not least the thought of care and companionship for your birth partner. Knowing you could have a knowledgeable, loving, calming doula at your side may be all you need to put any niggling doubts you have that on ‘your day’ choices and plans will go awry, or that you may feel overwhelmed and overruled.

I've been a bit quiet for the past months. Covid, elbow fracture and house move. However, I'm/we're back. Working in partnership with Doula and Birth Practitioner Lynne Bell these are our plans. Please share to your friends with bumps or new babies

Introducing BIRTHTACTICS
with Gabby M - Birth and Postpartum Doula, Birth and Beyond Practitioner and Lynne Bell, Therapist and Doula - Pregnancy and Birth Support 

We are experienced Birth Practioners offering courses, workshops and retreats in beautiful locations throughout Northamptonshire and the surrounding Counties

ANTENATAL COURSES
Bring your lovely baby bump and birth partner to our cheerful, informative Antenatal Courses. Held locally, bi-monthly on Saturdays over 2 consecutive weekends. Or book a 1:1 session in your own home

ANTENATAL RETREATS (new in 2022)
To be held in some of the counties' beautiful hotels. Arrive on Friday night for a shared meal with the group. Saturday will be filled with all things pregnancy and birth along with spa treatments and restful relaxation sessions. Each venue offers a different experience and the opportunity to stay an extra night for the full weekend away experience

4th TRIMESTER GET TOGETHERS
Come along to our 4 week sessions to share, discuss and discover all things useful in the first weeks of your new parenting journey.
Sessions include baby massage, sleep and feeding support and an opportunity to talk openly about your parenting choices and decisions whilst enjoying delicious, healthy refreshments.

In SMALL GROUPS or 1:1 SESSIONS we also offer:

• Baby massage
• Post birth listening circles
• Birth Trauma rewind
• Mindful Breastfeeding Antenatal Courses 
• Hypnobirthing courses
• Mother and baby stretch and relax
• Let's Talk About -  Why informed Grandparents Matter
• Let's Talk About - Your baby's sleep
• Let's Talk About - A second baby, How do you feel?