My husband and I attended to the birthing lessons at Queen’s Park Children’s Center, which we found very helpful, specially being first time parents. The course is organised by West London Doulas and is very complete, covering a wide range of topics where they bring experts on each field. It includes lectures like natural birth, nutrition, breastfeeding or first aid, as well as exercises and relaxation techniques that proofed useful later on the pregnancy and birth.
We met Janet during these lessons were she was the course coordinator, and decided to count with her guidance during the birthing process. Through the end of the pregnancy we had some meetings to cover different aspects and to prepare for natural birth in pool. We wanted to have her assisting during birth but due to the Covid-19 situation only one person was allowed in (and that was my husband) so she couldn’t be there with us.
It was a natural birth in the pool and everything went great, thanks to the lessons everything was easier and we were more mentally prepared. We made a great team and Otto was born happy and swimming.
On the postnatal phase Janet came for a home visit to check and help with breastfeeding and general doubts, and to make sure we had a smooth adaptation to the new reality.
Janet has always been very positive and encouraging, her advice proofed very useful and she helped us keep the calm in uncertain moments.