About BABA Doula Services & Hypnobirthing

Your local Doula & Hypnobirthing Teacher in Leeds & Wakefield

Birth & Postnatal Doula Support & Antenatal Hypnobirthing Courses in West Yorkshire

Supporting families to take control of their pregnancy, birth and postpartum journey and to have positive experiences in ways that they desire.

Hello, I'm Julia!

I am the founder and owner of BABA Doula Services & Hypnobirthing. I am an experienced, fully qualified and Recognised Birth and Recognised Postnatal Doula. (Having gone through the mentoring process with Doula UK). I offer antenatal, birth and postnatal Doula support to families in Leeds and around West Yorkshire and online. I am also a fully trained and certified hypnobirthing teacher, where I offer hypnobirthing courses to families in person and online. I can support you through all stages of your pregnancy and birth journey, offering continuity of care. Continuity of care means that you receive care from the same person throughout your pregnancy, labour, birth and postpartum period. Continuity of care has proven to improve outcomes for families and increase positive experiences.

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In addition to my role as a Doula and Hypnobirthing Teacher, I am also the Co-Chair for Leeds Maternity and Neonatal Voices Partnership. I help families across Leeds and Leeds maternity trust, to improve maternity services across the city.

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What is a Doula?

Raising A Family In Leeds

I live with my family in Leeds, near Wakefield and I have two children, plus one cat and one dog. Both of my children were born at Leeds Teaching Hospital Trust - St James's University Hospital. My first baby was delivered via an unplanned caesarean section and my second baby was a beautiful, positive vaginal birth (VBAC - Vaginal Birth After Caesarean). After having a caesarean section for the birth of my first child, I was determined that my second baby would be a vaginal delivery.

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As a family, we love going to theme parks and we are huge Disney fans! I would say Disney World is definitely my happy place!

I love living in Leeds, with its large community and vibrant feel, it is such a great city to work and bring up children in. From the beautiful countryside in the Yorkshire Dales and the exciting nightlife and delicious restaurants in Leeds city centre, what is there not to love!?

When I am not supporting families, I enjoy being outside in nature or eating in nice restaurants. As a member of Harewood House, we visit here often. I love how the different seasons change the experience at Harewood House. Each visit feels new and beautiful and I love the calming, relaxing energy that it gives me.

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Maternity is where my heart is...

I have lived in Leeds for over 18 years and I moved to the area a couple of years after completing my university degree in Sheffield. Having completed a degree in Food Marketing Management and a Masters degree in Food & Consumer Safety, I moved to Leeds and started working at head office for a large supermarket chain. Despite spending over a decade planning and forecasting produce and working within the supply chain, my heart has always belonged within maternity. Ever since I was a little girl I have been obsessed with all things pregnancy and birth. After having my 2nd child, it was time to follow my heart and start making a difference to maternity services. As much as it is a complex process managing stock levels and making sure that there are enough tomatoes, cucumbers and lettuces on the shelves in over 400 UK stores, changing lives for pregnant families and new parents gives me greater satisfaction, greater achievement and helps to make birth better.

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Every Family Deserves A Supported, Empowered Birth

Here to support you - From Bump to Birth and Beyond

If you are currently pregnant or recently had a baby in or near Leeds, then huge congratulations! You are in the right place. I am extremely passionate about supporting women and families during pregnancy, birth and beyond. As an expert in my field, I can make you feel calm, supported, informed and in control during your birth. Previous clients have said that I am a "great listener", that they would "recommend me to friends and family". That I "subtly empowered them to have a positive birth experience". That I helped them make their birth "such a positive, beautiful, empowering experience and they would not have been without me." I feel honoured to be able to work with women and families and to be able to share my expertise.

I have been working as a Doula for over 5 years and I have supported a variety of births in that time. I've supported families who have vaginal births, home births, caesarean section, induced births, twins, natural births, couples going through IVF, first time parents, parents to subsequent babies, water births, hospital births, vaginal births after caesarean (VBAC), women who are classed as "high risk" and women with gestational diabetes. Wherever and however you birth your baby, I will support your decisions and help you to make informed decisions that are right for you and your baby.

My Hypnobirthing teacher training was completed through Love Your Birth Hypnobirthing Teacher Training. This means that I am a fully certified and an accredited hypnobirthing teacher. My hypnobirthing teacher training course has given me so many amazing tools and knowledge that I love to share with expectant parents, including birth partners, to help them to have a great birthing experience. Whether you are looking for doula support, antenatal classes or Hypnobirthing courses, I can help your family to make informed decisions, increase your odds of having a positive birthing experience and learn how to navigate parenthood. I have a very calm, nurturing and empathetic personality and I want more families to have positive experiences whether that's during IVF, pregnancy, birth or parenthood.

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Discover Doula Support

Learn about Hypnobirthing courses

Why I Love What I do...

I'm passionate about all things pregnancy, birth and postpartum. If you'd like to talk about your own journey, whether you are expecting, preparing for birth or navigating life with a newborn, I'm here to listen without judgement, support you with evidence-based information and help you to feel more confident and empowered every step of the way. Let's chat and work together to increase your chances of a positive and fulfilling birth experience.

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Certifications & Memberships

I am always seeking to enhance and update my existing knowledge. I am committed to continuous learning and professional development, so that I can support you with the highest level of care and expertise.

Certification

Trained & certified Antenatal, Birth & Postnatal Doula (Red Tent Doula training)
Qualified & certified Hypnobirthing Teacher (Love Your Birth Teacher Training)
Introduction to Breastfeeding support (Red Tent Doula training)
Trained in supporting Neurodivergent Birth (ND Birth)
Trained in Aromatherapy for birth (Aromatherapy For Childbirth)
Trained in Biomechanics for birth (Shellie Poulter The Serenity Doula)
Level 5 Diploma in Human Resource Management
BSc (Hons) Food Marketing Management
MSc Food and Consumer Safety

Memberships

Doula UK Member - Doula UK Registered Doula

As a member of Doula UK and a recognised birth and postnatal Doula, I have completed my initial training, as well as further development to achieve recognised status. This means that I am considered an experienced Doula by Doula UK, having demonstrated a high level of knowledge, commitment and ongoing professional growth.

FEDANT (Federation of Antenatal Educators) registered. National Registration number: 13852

FEDANT is the national regulator in the antenatal and postnatal sector. As a FEDANT Registered professional you can be assured that I adhere to rigorous standards of education and practice, demonstrating my commitment to excellence when guiding you through the exciting journey of pregnancy, childbirth and beyond. Check my FEDANT Registration status Here.