My work

Person smiling, wearing headphones, standing in front of greenery and a red wall.

I'm Lydia, or Lyddie for "short". I use she/her pronouns. I'm a full spectrum doula. This means I offer my support throughout the perinatal journey, including fertility, conception, pregnancy loss, termination, antenatal, birth and postnatal care.

I’m also a hypnobirthing instructor and antenatal educator.

I mainly work with families in South East London, but can also stretch further afield or work solely online.

A woman and a child gardening in an outdoor plot with a greenhouse in the background. The child is holding a gardening tool, and they are planting a seedling in the soil. The sky is blue and the area is surrounded by plants and a small shed.

My Why

​I’m a doula because physiological birth gets me fizzing. It’s just so incredible how birthing bodies work. I will never cease to be amazed by it. I find being able to support people in this phase of their lives is such an immense honour and privilege.

My experiences in bringing my babies into the world was the catalyst to my becoming a doula. My kids are wonderful little people who surprise me, challenge me and bring me joy every day. Before having them, I was a card-carrying member of the infertility club. My own journey to parenthood involved loss and IVF. I understand the additional complexity that this can bring to your conception journey, pregnancy and parenting.

A person walking on rippled sand at a beach during sunset, with clear blue sky and distant trees in the background.

My background

I’m originally from Ireland. The eldest of six kids, I bring some of that big sister energy to my doula work. I grew up surrounded by a phenomenal community of women supporting each other through pregnancy, birth and child-rearing. As an immigrant Londoner I’m really passionate about supporting clients in building modern villages

For me, being a doula is also about activism and social change. Birth work is an incredible touchpoint for lots of things that get a fire going in me; intersectional feminism, reproductive justice, anti-racism, inclusion.

Before stepping into this work I had a diverse career in food. I have a B.A Hons in Culinary Arts and an MSc in Food and Nutrition Policy (my focus was on infant feeding). I absolutely love cooking and eating. It's a delight to share this passion with my clients.

Accreditations

  • I am part of both Kemi Birthjoy Johnson’s Birthkeepers Collective, Dr Rachel Reed’s Reclaiming Childbirth Collective, and the Riot Birth Network through which I have access to and support from some of the most incredible thinkers in the birth world.

  • 6 hours online and 7 hours in person continued professional development. Developing my understanding of the biomechanics of birth. Learning how to best support the innate wisdom of our birthing anatomy and physiology with the incredible Shellie Poulter.

  • 6 hours of continued professional development. Further developing my understanding of birth trauma and how I can work in a trauma informed, trauma responsive way. This course, run by Sheryl of Simply Natal Healing Birth has given me practical skills which I bring into my birth work with every client, supporting them to feel safe and assured as we work together.

  • A comprehensive online course covering the physiology of the menstrual cycle, fertility and reproductive loss, assisted reproductive technologies and providing holistic support and signposting during reproductive journeys

  • An exploration of experiences of neurodivergent people perinatally, key challenges, and how the needs of neurodivergent women and birthingpeople can be supported and met.

  • I did my hypnobirthing instructor training with The Riot Birth Network, run by Jade and Alix of The Birth Uprising who, if you don’t know them, are legends. This is straight talking no nonsense birth prep with load of tools and insight to help you boss your birth.

  • The Make Birth Better course which includes five modules of online learning to upskill around birth trauma, the cost of caring and trauma-informed ways of working.

  • A 3 day online conference exploring birth, neonatal neuroscience and the microbiome.

  • Biomechanics For Active Labour, led by Shellie Poulter (The Serenity Doula)

    Shoulder Dystocia led by Shellie Poulter (The Serenity Doula)

    The biomechanics of rebozo for birth, led by Shellie Poulter (the Serenity Doula) and Dr Sophie Messager

    How to safely support traumatised parents in your care, led by Alex Heath (Traumatic Birth Recovery & College of Perinatal Emotional Health)

    Rebirth Mindset Workshop, led by Carmen Rocha (The Quantum Birth Doula)

    Introduction to Hypnobirthing and Trauma Informed Birthwork led by Sheryl Wynne (Simply Natal Healing Birth)

  • Birth Physiology led by Kemi Johnson (Kemi BirthJoy Johnson)

    ​Cultural Competency and Advocacy, led by Illy Morrison (Mixing up Motherhood)

    Perinatal Trauma, led by Hayley Coburn (Mother of Pearl Doula)

    LQBTQ+ Competency In Birth and Beyond, led by AJ Silver (The Queer Birth Club)

    Caesarean Birth, led by Carolyn Holt (The Caesarean Birth Specialist)

    Tongue Tie and Infant Feeding, led by Carmelle Gentle (The Tongue Tie Centre)

  • I chose to do my foundational birthworker training with the Original Birth Connection, led by the fabulous Alex Burner. I could see that the course was a good fit for me as it was radical, intersectional, trauma informed and expansive. I began the doula training course in September ‘22 and completed the accreditation process in January ‘24.