Lou T

My Summary

My Experience

Please read some comments from parents regarding their experience of me as a doula. All of them would be happy to be contacted to give me a reference and answer any questions from potential clients.

"As my wife’s birth partner, I feel so privileged to have had Lou alongside me as the warm, knowledgeable and dedicated doula we needed at the birth of our first child. Births can be daunting and birth plans can so easily change and so when my wife’s waters broke early and we were unable to go to the birth centre as we had hoped, having someone of Lou’s experience and calming demeanour to reassure you, comfort you, and encourage you at the right times meant we remain totally indebted to her for the positive birth experience that so easily could’ve run away from us had she not been there as our doula. From the run up to the birth with all the sage like advice, plus all the practical items Lou will lend, to the fantastic support at home and at the hospital that we received throughout labour, and all the way to the post birth visits and baby massage, Lou has always been there for us when we needed. My wife was particularly grateful for all help with suggesting positions, when to walk around plus all the back and leg massages that totally helped. We feel very lucky to have had Lou as our doula and we couldn’t recommend her highly enough". Parag, Sara and baby Maya (February 2019)

"Lou was our doula at our second birth. She was pivotal in creating a positive birth experience this time around after a traumatic first birth. She was able to empower us to make the right decisions for our birth. She was balanced in her approach whereby she did not enforce her own views upon us but also at the same time was appropriately and passionately involved to provide us with alternatives and options to make informed decisions. She not only focussed on Mum but also Dad ensuring he was well rested and positively embraced in the birth experience. She helped us find ways to manage pain and use breathing techniques. In addition to the above, she helped us with the below:
- providing aromatherapy and lighting to create an atmospheric environment
- positioning for labour
- breathing exercises and relaxation
- preparation for antenatal conversations with doctors and midwives
- being available on the phone whenever required
- lending birthing instruments such as birthing balls etc
- creating a positive and happy environment with a good sense of humour.

“Lou is a wonderfully caring and knowledgeable person and present with me for my caesarean, reassuring and keeping me calm throughout, as well as asking all the questions in the operating room that my brain was too foggy to deal with! She took genuine delight supporting me as my daughter entered the world, and I greatly valued her calmness and nurturing approach to my daughter and I in those early hours, which also continued once we were discharged from hospital. Lou has become a friend, helping us with various things along the way, like advice on sleeping and baby massage for trapped wind! I would have absolutely no hesitation in recommending her skills as a doula”.
Katherine and baby Elizabeth

“Lou Toosey is exactly the person you want with you when giving birth. Brilliantly knowledgeable, warm, funny and so reassuring. Fundamentally though, she empowers - finding ways to inspire you to trust yourself and find the best birth in the situation you're given. I found myself giving birth just four weeks after my Mum died - I felt raw and insecure but Lou helped me, with her real kindness and great advice, to focus and still have the birth I wanted. I will always be hugely grateful”.
Amber & baby Ella

My Qualifications

NCT Doula (Foundation Degree Birth & Beyond) - University of Worcester
NCT Diploma of Antenatal Education (University of Bedfordshire 2011)
Baby Em Holistic Sleep Training (Feb 2019)
IAIMS Baby Massage Training course (Feb 2012)
Brazelton Newborn Observation Course (May 2017)
Royal College of Midwives accredited Rebozo/Scarf Workshop (Feb 2019)
Acupressure for pregnancy and birth (Udemy August 2018)
Fluent French & Spanish speaker (BA Joint Hons. University of Manchester 1994)

My Availability

My Fees

• Doulas from £27.50 per hour

My fees include 2 antenatal appointments, my attendance at the entire birth (home/hospital) and 3 hours afterwards, and 20 days on call, as well as 2 postnatal appointments to help with sleep, feeding and baby massage! My rate is £1575 but please get in touch to discuss your requirements and budget.