Welcome to
Mamatoto Doula

Hi, I am Sarah-Jo, the heart and sole of Mamatota Doula services. I am a Birth and Postnatal Doula who wholeheartedly believes that you are the expert in you. My mission is for you to feel held, supported, heard and safe. My superpower is approaching this in a kind, calm and warm way, free from judgement.

‘Ask the woman, she will tell you everything you need to know '

INA MAY GASKIN

A Little about Mamatoto Doula

Hi, I’m Sarah-Jo and I am the lucky and proud mother to four children, three boys and one girl. Becoming a parent for the first time in 2012 is where my passion for supporting new and soon to be parents was ignited. After the birth of my eldest, I knew I wanted to make it my life’s work to provide a safe and caring space for women, ensuring all women feel held, heard, seen and nurtured. It opened my mind to the idea that we are not meant to parent in isolation, that women are are capable and powerful beyond our social constructs and that all information should be visible in order to allow us to truly make choices that are right for us as individuals.  

In my free time I like nothing better than connecting with nature whether this is in the forest or by the sea, with family or friends by my side and a good coffee in hand.

Both personally and in a work capacity and have experienced a wide and varied births and postnatal journeys. In 2024 I completed my Doula training with Conscious Birthing and I am currently part of their mentorship program.

In terms of my personality and strengths I wanted to share a description from a recent reference as it really highlights the essence of me.

Sarah-Jo is an amazingly positive person who is always empathetic, supportive and genuinely listens to people. She has always shown compassion and understanding to those that need it the most. I would never hesitate to confide in and rely on Sarah-Jo. She also has a calmness and kindness about her that enables people of all ages to feel comfortable in her company.  

Doula - A Brief HERstory

In the beginning women supported women to birth. The origins of doulas can be traced back to ancient Greece, where women supported each other during childbirth. The word “doula” comes from the Greek word “doulē,” which means “female servant.” These women provided emotional support, guidance, and comfort to the laboring woman, ensuring a safe and positive birth experience. A Doula would be there to ‘hold space’ for the woman during child birth, help her to feel grounded, focused and free from distraction.

This tradition of women supporting women during childbirth continued throughout history in different forms and in many cultures. Towards the end of the 19th century, male physicians evolved. Birth became more managed and systematic, the modern maternity unit, modelled on a WWII weapons factory became the way of birthing. Like an assembly line, the focus was on being efficient and controlled prioritising the outcome over the whole magical process.

In todays society where families are often geographically widespread and have busy work and life commitments, expectant and new parents can feel isolated and overwhelmed. Having a doula by your side, providing physical and emotional support throughout your labour, birth and into the ‘fourth trimester’, can help ensure you achieve a positive birth experience and a well supported and relaxed transition in to parenthood.



Why Mamatoto…

Mamatoto means Motherbaby in Swahili. It represents a profound truth about those I am honored to serve. There is a mother and there is a baby. Two unique DNA matrixes, individual brains, independent heartbeats, marked by separate sets of one-of-a-kind fingerprints on each digit, yet they are inseparable, a tight weaving of two souls with mutual needs. Together they are more than the sum of their parts, representing not only themselves in the here and now, but also all the lineage that led up to this point in time and all that will continue onward as a result of this new birth. It is the spiritual, biological, and ancestral connection between mother and baby.

Mamatoto extends beyond pregnancy, to the forth trimester, the mothers body instinctually makes adjustments to meet the baby’s physical and emotional needs and a baby responds in a way that ensures mothers body makes the changes. Cori Young tells us in The Science of Mother Love, “Our nervous systems are not self-contained; they link with those of the people close to us in a silent rhythm that helps regulate our physiology…’

Being Your Doula

As your doula, I will provide both emotional and practical support alongside up to date evidence-based information to enable you to make informed choices about your maternity care that suit you and your family. Everyone’s pregnancy, birth and family situations are unique and I will tailor my support to meet your individual needs, wishes and desires to help you achieve a positive birth experience – whatever that looks like for you.

I am able to support you and your partner wherever you decide to birth your baby- in a midwife lead unit, in hospital or at home. I am also able to support Caesarean births.

I truly believe that all birth is beautiful; be it a hospital birth or a homebirth, it is my duty as a Doula to honour your desires and guide you in what’s best for you and your family. I know just how important the day you birth your baby will be and I am passionate about doing my upmost to ensure that you feel empowered, confident and held throughout your journey.

I will be your trusted and compassionate supporter, your female companion and confidant who will always have your back, should you need it. My packages are designed with flexibility to suit your individual wants and needs, the below can be amended as you wish. My prices are reflective of the fact I am a mentored doula - the benefits of having a doula are priceless.

“If a woman doesn’t look like a Goddess during
birth, then someone isn’t treating her right”

INA MAY GASKIN

Doula Support Packages…

The Full Goddess Package

£1400

I will guide you in preparing to welcome your baby, ensuring you and your loved ones feel confident for your birthing day. The package includes:

  • Communication via whatsapp or text throughout your pregnancy

  • Pre-arranged calls

  • Access to a comprehensive list of resources.

  • 3 antenatal visits including:

    -  Birth plan and A,B,C scenario design.

    -  Partner session on how to support you.

    -  Our Birth ‘Blueprint’, unblocking fears.

    -  Biomechanics of birth.

    -  Wonderful work of hormones.

    -  Infant feeding.

  • On call from 38 weeks.

  • Birth support with comfort management.

  • Post birth support to ensure you are settled.

  • First feed support if required

  • Postnatal visits (minimum of 2) with small offerings of nourishment. First postnatal visit the day after birth.

Postnatal Goddess Starter Package

£300 5x three hour sessions

Life with a newborn is magical yet overwhelming. A postnatal doula package provides guidance for newborn care, helps with family dynamics, and offers emotional support. With experience supporting singletons, twins, and post-caesarean recovery, I customise my care to meet your needs but it can include the following

  • A safe space to process your birth experience and emotions

  • Nourishing meals to support postpartum healing, using herbs and whole foods

  • Feeding support, whether breastfeeding, bottle-feeding, or combination feeding

  • Gentle guidance on newborn care, following up-to-date recommendations

  • Support with siblings, helping the whole family adjust

  • A helping hand with light household tasks, dog walks, or errands

  • Holding baby while you rest, shower, or take a moment for yourself

  • Accompaniment to appointments or outings, ensuring you feel supported

  • Signposting to local support networks and baby groups

  • Empowering you to trust your instincts and navigate early parenthood your way.

    All women deserve to feel held and supported throughout the fourth trimester and recognising this will help lay the path for the rest of your motherhood journey.

Postnatal Goddess Care

£50 two hour session, £25 p/h thereafter

We often forget just how sacred and challenging the postpartum period can be. Our ancestors would have recovered within communities, assisting with their newborn, keeping the running of their dwelling and looking after older children. I can be that village that we all often hear of. This will be unique to each person but can include the following;

  • Breast or bottle feeding support,

  • Holding baby whilst the mother has a bath/rest.

  • Light household chores

  • Assisting with cooking/nourishment etc.

  • Gentle guidance on newborn care, following up-to-date recommendations.

  • A safe space to process your birth experience and emotions.

  • Nourishing meals to support postpartum healing.

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Resources and Links

Dr Sara Wickham - A great resource for pregnancy, BMI Resus Negative..

The Breastfeeding Network | Independent Breastfeeding Support Feeding support. Telephone support and in person groups.

Welcome to Families and Babies - Families and Babies (FAB) Feeding support. In person support groups.

Birthrights - your human rights during pregnancy and maternity care Your Rights

For a better birth | AIMS For Birth Rights.

Books

The Positive Birth Book- Milli Hill

Science of Parenting- Margot Sunderland

Hypnobirthing: The Mongan Method - Marie Mongan

Get In Touch

If you are interested in my services and would like to talk about your needs in more detail then I would love to hear from you.

It is so important that you choose the right doula for you, which is why I offer a free face to face consultation. Contact me today to arrange a suitable time to connect.