The Doting Doula
Guiding You Through Pregnancy, Birth and beyond
Welcome
My name is Valerie Quinn-Reid, I am a birth and postnatal Doula and Hypnobirthing Practitioner living in Portsmouth - My mission is to create a non-judgemental, safe space to guide women through the most challenging and rewarding time of their lives. It's an incredibly overwhelming time with so much information to digest. I'm there to bring clarity and aim to provide evidence based knowledge to empower mothers and their partners to make informed choices to suit them and their birthing preferences.
I believe in the importance of providing individualised care and continual support to ensure a positive birth experience, no matter how it develops. Providing dedicated doula services to go above and beyond to make you feel seen and heard.
I will be by your side, aiding with comfort measures, protecting your birth space and giving you constant emotional and phsyical support while you focus on connecting with your body during the birthing process. My aim is to help you become confident in your body's ability to birth your baby and have the most amazing birthing experience.
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I cover Hampshire, West Sussex, Surrey and Dorset - Anywhere within a 1.5 hour travel from where I live in Southsea.
Photography credit https://www.auroraphotographic.com/
About Me...
My name is Valerie Quinn-Reid
I was born in Lima, Peru and was raised internationally before moving to the UK when I was 7. After studying at the University of Chichester, my husband and I settled in Southsea to raise our two beautiful children Luna and River. We spend our days either at the beach or going on adventures to explore new trails and nature reserves. As I write this, my husband (who is a chef - handy!) is preparing a picnic to take with us to wade through Rivers with the kids splashing and exploring wildlife. Anything to feel free outdoors and conveniently pass a cafe to sneak in a cheeky coffee.
My calm is greatly accredited to physical outlets like the gym and Yoga. I love the empowerment I feel from resistance training and the inner stillness I gain from yoga. I believe looking after your health and fitness to be key to maintaining balance as a working parent. It's my self care and therapy rolled into one.
When I catch myself a bit of time, I find ways to progress as a doula, learning new skills to better help my mummy's. I'm currently undergoing my prenatal yoga teacher training in order to support baby's adopt marvellous birthing positions, while keeping mums calm and energised to birth.
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MY WHY
I found hypnobirthing during my first pregnancy. Deeply connecting with the birthing process I went into labour with confidence and calm. Not only did I become a mother but an advocate for an empowered and informed birth. I took the first opportunity to gain my Hypnobirthing Practitioners Diploma with KGHYpnobirthing.
When I became pregnant again I was thrilled that I could birth again would you believe! My second pregnancy was a little more complex than my first, which made me delve into an extensive education on birthing rights. Both births were utterly transformative and ignited a spark in me to help as many women possible with their personal journeys towards becoming mothers. My profound love for pregnancy, birth and entering motherhood myself made me quickly realise that I had found my calling in life.The call felt too loud not to answer. I quickly sought out Kicki Hansard - award winning Author and Doula Educator and gained my Doula diploma.
On a daily basis I'm blown away by pregnancy and the strength of a mothers mind and body. Her innate capability to create life and to nurture it. There is no other event like it in your life time, you're pushed to the maximum level of endurance and yet it's the most magical.
Testimonials
Contact Me
This page is full of everything I can provide but the only way to truly know if i'll be the doula for you is to meet me to see if I would be a good fit for you. So please don't hesitate to shoot me an email and I will happily set up a coffee and catch up.
Val x
@the_doting_doula_
Follow me on Instagram
My ice cream feed is there to keep you cool with fun informative bitesize tips on pregnancy, labour and transitioning into motherhood.
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