Sam Havis Doula

I'm a doula in Leeds, UK offering antenatal, birth and postnatal support and services

A bit about myself. . .

I'm the mother of four children, a daughter aged 22 and sons aged 18, 13 and 10. Please don't think this makes me any kind of an expert on parenting! One thing being a parent HAS taught me is that each birth, each parenting experience and each child is totally unique. There are no rights, wrongs, shoulds or shouldn'ts. What I love about my work, is helping each family to figure out what's right for them, and then helping them achieve it.

I trained as an NCT antenatal teacher in 2001 and have worked with over 600 couples during the last 14 years. In 2008 I did some additional training to become an 'excellent practitioner', and in 2012 I completed the BA Educational Studies to become an NCT tutor and lecturer in Perinatal Education. For the past 8 years I have also been a guest lecturer at the University of Leeds, working with 1st and 2nd year student midwives, helping them to learn how to educate and support new parents.

I work closely with Jules Staveley, an experienced yoga teacher and massage therapist to offer complimentary services including pregnancy massage, pregnancy yoga and practical birth preparation workshops. She is also my occasional doula partner.