Carla Chynoweth

More about me

My mantra is ‘YOUR Body, YOUR Pregnancy, YOUR Birth, YOUR Baby!’ and my role is to help you keep those truths in mind to feel confident and in control while you prepare to have your baby.  I’ll offer you support, information and a listening ear so you can feel respected, safe and empowered in your life changing experience.

Whether you desire a home birth, hospital birth or a planned Caesarean section, I’ll be with you as a consistent support and familiar face on the big day as you birth your baby.  If you feel overwhelmed, confused or fearful about anything, I’ll advocate for you and ensure that you have what you need to feel safe, reassured, respected, cared for and informed. Having a baby is not something that happens to you – you have options and I can help you to explore them and make decisions you are happy with, so you don’t feel on the outside looking in on your own experience.

It’s important that we establish a bond before the birth, to ensure you feel comfortable with me and trust that you are in good, friendly and competent hands.  We’ll meet face to face to get to know each other and create a solid connection with bespoke antenatal classes, where we’ll explore labour coping strategies, breathing techniques, relaxation and massage; we’ll also discuss skin to skin contact, breastfeeding and the various colours of baby poo!  You’ll also be able to call or text me antenatally.

After the birth, I will stay with you until your baby’s first feed and we’ll have a good catch up with a Postnatal session shortly after the birth and I’ll be available via calls and texts up to a month after your baby is born.  If you’d like Postpartum support, let me know how I can help you and we’ll work together to find out how you can receive Doula support with your new baby too.

Whatever you need to have the best pregnancy and mothering experience possible, we’ll discuss it and I will do my utmost to deliver. Using evidence based care, I’ll work with all involved to bring the calmness, comfort and companionship needed to support you as you grow, birth and care for your baby, with kindness and loving care.

A bit more about me

I was born and bred in Bedfordshire, I’ve always adored babies and everything to do with them! I remember back to when I was 5 years old, seeing my mother pregnant with my twin sisters and watching her breastfeed them – I was absolutely fascinated. One of the twins went on to have a home birth in 2009 with her 3rd child and I was lucky enough to be there to witness it and be a support to her, albeit in a small way!

As the mother of a teenager, I can remember the wonder as well as the concerns surrounding my own pregnancy and birth as though it were yesterday. I was fortunate to have my step-mother as my Birth and Postnatal Doula and she was an absolute fairy god mother! Admittedly, I had no idea about the term Doula at the time, but the entire experience stayed with me and has guided me in the support I have given to friends and family over the years.

I completed my training this year and I’m now practicing as a Mentored Doula. I’m excited to continue my Doula role in a more formal capacity now and looking forward to supporting many more lovely ladies and their bumps and babies!

I’m a down to earth person who enjoys a good laugh, good food and great company! I live in Bedford and my family, pets, home and garden top the list of the many fantastic things in my world.