Joy Horner

More about me

My name is Joy and I am a full spectrum Doula, Birth keeper and Antenatal educator. I spent 37 years as a nurse and midwife before transitioning into non-medical support for the childbearing year. I specialise in caring for those who have suffered from previous trauma, including childhood adult, and birth trauma. I qualified as a registered nurse in 1987 and a registered midwife in 1989. I took time out to have my own children returning to midwifery in 2002. I worked in a birth centre for 3 years before becoming an independent midwife in 2005. I have had the pleasure of supporting hundreds of families through pregnancy birth and beyond, and am very grateful for all they have taught me. I have also learnt from some of the best midwives and doctors in the birth world, including Mary Cronk MBE, Ina May gaskin, Michael Odent, Gail Tully, and Gail Hart. I have learnt many additional skills through my doula community like rebozo, and about the use of herbs and homeopathy. I have attended courses on reflexology for pregnancy, post term pregnancy, and caring for clients after previous trauma, spinning babies techniques, and natal hypnotherapy. I have certificates in counselling skills and am an accredited 3 step rewind practitioner. I qualified with a diploma in antenatal education through the National Childbirth Trust (NCT) in 2002 and started teaching my own classes in 2005. I ran a homebirth support group in 2005 to 2010 when I moved to Glastonbury, then ran a positive birth group. I currently run weekly pregnancy and new baby support groups. I teach antenatal classes and courses and in 2020 was prompted by the pandemic to write on-line antenatal courses. I also teach midwives, doulas and other birth workers in study days and conferences. I am a trustee for a baby loss charity called Towards Tomorrow Together, and have considerable experience of supporting families who suffer the loss of a baby. I did a year long shamanic womancraft course with jane Hardwicke-Collings in 2015 and am currently studying for a qualification in integrative baby therapy. My care is fully inclusive and trauma aware. I have a gentle way of working which is very popular with my clients. I offer professional coaching and support sessions for pregnancy and after birth, and professional birth support. I am particularly happy to support those who’s previous experience of birth has been poor. I am experienced in supporting higher risk factors such as breech or vaginal birth after caesarean (VBAC). Happy to provide virtual doula support or coaching for those outside my catchment area. I am here to support your choices every step of the way.