About Me

Hello, my name is Rachel Canham. I live on the outskirts of Bristol with my husband, daughter, and Kitty the cat.

I am a Nurturing Birth trained Birth Doula and Postnatal Doula. I am a registered member of Doula UK, and I am currently working towards recognition status with them.

My 'calling' as a Doula came after my close friend gave birth, after a long and exhausting labour. I began researching what could have been done to help someone is that situation. That is when the word 'Doula' popped up on a website.

Doulas were considered a new concept and many people had never heard of them, however the concept of women helping during birth for thousands of years. Having always had an interest in pregnancy and birth, I knew this is how I could help women during this special time.

Since completing my training, I have had the great honour to support several families antenatally, through labour and birth, and those first few important weeks with their new babies.

As well as working as a Doula, in my spare time I also volunteer with the Birth Trauma Association, offering support to families who have had a traumatic birth experience. I am also the Doula UK Regional Representative for Bristol


Testimonials

"Thank you Rachel for the exceptional support you gave myself and my husband during the pregnancy and birth. Your calm and supportive presence during my labour helped to give me a really positive birth experience, one that I will never forget. I can never thank you enough."

"Rachel enabled me to take it easy over the first few weeks after my caesarean, meaning my recovery has been quicker. She pampered my elder son, took care of household tasks, and was a great source of support to me and my family"

"Without your support through my breastfeeding problems, I feel I would have stopped a long time ago. Thank you Rachel!"


Training

* Birth & Postnatal Doula with Nurturing Birth - Oct 2007
* Birth Crisis Workshop with Sheila Kitzinger - May 2008
* Rebozo Workshop - Dec 2007
* Labour Progress Support Specialist
* Birth Planning Support Specialist
* Caesarean/VBAC Support Specialist
* Breastfeeding Support Specialist

I also hold a current Enchanced CRB check.