I am a big fan of the brilliant Hackney Homebirth Support group so when I moved to Ramsgate this summer I hunted for something similar. Unable to find it I decided to start my own group, joining 150 other such groups around the UK to offer independent and informal support to all those interested in [...]

Freedom For Birth: The Mothers’ Revoltuion

There’s rarely an issue, a concept or a campaign that almost all of us can agree on, but I think I’ve found something. A no-brainer. I believe that decisions about my body are mine alone to make. I get to decide if I want to take drugs, whether I want to go bungee jumping, if [...]

NCT Pregnancy and Birth evening in Whitstable

This Sunday (the 24th June 2012) while I’m frantically bubblewrapping my birth pools and gently stuffing Ina May, Michel Odent and Janet Balaskas in packing cases, the Canterbury and District branch of the NCT are hosting a free and fab-sounding preganncy and birth evening. From 7-9pm All Saints Church Hall in Whitstable (over in my [...]

Waving to Thanet

As most of you know I’m upping sticks and moving to the Kent coast. East Kent to be precise and Ramsgate, Thanet to be totally exact. Hard as it will be to leave Hackney the welcome from Thanet has been wonderful and as well as lovely chat with the team at Academy FM a lovely [...]

Far From Faddish: Doula Survey Shows Dramatic Decrease in Interventions

World Doula Week starts on Thursday 22 March and, while I expect many of you will shrug your shoulders, raise an eyebrow and think ‘World What What Week?!’, this new survey from Doula UK might just change your mind. With over 500 members, Doula UK represents the largest number of doulas in the UK. Its doulas work [...]

Dark side of The Baby Show: The Hackney Doula in The Huffington Post

I’ve  come over all foot-stampy in today’s piece for The Huffington Post. You can read more about The Baby Show’s links to the arms trade and the concerns over their chosen speakers here.   Tweet