About Me
Hello, I'm Victoria. Formerly a marine biologist and environmental consultant, I became interested in the wellbeing and mental health of birthing people and new parents, following my own challenging experiences after the births of my daughters. Unfortunately I experienced a lack of consistent support, and isolation, during a difficult postnatal period, and it made me think there has to be a better way. I trained as a Mother Supporter with the Association of Breastfeeding Mothers, and found supporting people breastfeeding at our local support group extremely rewarding.
I then discovered the role of the doula, and decided to embark on a training course with the excellent training provider; Nurturing Birth. I completed my coursework and received certification in November 2020.
I am particularly interested in helping parents recover from traumatic perinatal experiences, and have also completed an 18-month long certificate course in Perinatal Emotional Health and Wellbeing with the Traumatic Birth Recovery College in the UK. Modules include bringing relief with your debrief, TBR 3 Step Rewind, understanding perinatal anxiety, supporting baby loss and miscarriage, understanding and supporting perinatal depression, supporting recovery from birth injury, supporting challenging fertility journeys, practical skills in hypnosis, mindfulness and meditation for the perinatal period, supporting survivors of abuse through the perinatal stage, and supporting black, indigenous and people of colour through the perinatal stage.
My goal in my work as a Doula and Perinatal Emotional Health Practitioner, is to care for birthing people and new parents, and support them to make the decisions that are right for them and their family, by providing them with all the necessary evidence-based information so they feel informed and confident in making those decisions. During the postnatal period I want my clients to feel physically looked after, emotionally supported and listened to, so that they can focus on the most important job they will ever have; that of looking after their new baby.
Marlena Cho
Founder & CEO
Karissa Justine
Web Developer
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Training and Experience
Mother Supporter with the Association of Breastfeeding Mothers, 2019
Nurturing Birth Doula, 2020
Digital Accessibility, Bridget Lesan, Fierce Doula, 2020
Trainee Perinatal Emotional Health Practitioner with the Traumatic Birth Recovery College, 2021
Nurturing Birth, Supporting Every Birth Workshop (Doulas Supporting Grief and Loss), 2021
The Queer Birth Club, LGBT+ Competency in Birth & Beyond Workshop, 2021
Red Tent Doula Preparation, The Racist and Misogynistic Roots of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Workshop, 2021
Nurturing Birth, Introduction to LGBTQI+ Workshop, 2021
Traumatic Birth Recovery College, accredited by the OCN Open College Network, Perinatal Emotional Health and Wellbeing Practitioner, 2022
Testimonials
"My partner and I thoroughly enjoyed every meeting with Victoria, from our initial 'getting to know you' zoom to her postpartum visits complete with cake and whatever we needed that day. Part of what makes Victoria a perfect Doula is her quality as a chameleon as your journey and needs evolve; one day she is sending detailed articles carefully organized and curated on your personal online birthing dashboard, the next she is helping you use a breast pump or stealthily washing up in your kitchen while you doze with your newborn on the couch. She instantly feels like a forever friend that you can trust and lean on in these precious weeks that can be filled with questions and anxieties. We highly recommend Victoria to guide and nurture you through your journey of childbirth."
Lisa & Julien, Antenatal and Postnatal Clients
"Victoria was such a calm, gentle guide supporting me through the three step rewind process. She created a safe space and I felt really heard during our sessions, which allowed me the freedom to go into my trauma with her. The technique is something that was incredibly cathartic and I enjoyed my time with Victoria. She is gifted and I hope other mamas out there get the opportunity to work with her to shift the trauma clouding their lives."
Samantha, Traumatic Birth Recovery
3 Step Rewind Client
"Victoria's warm encouragement and guidance helped me feel more informed, confident and empowered as I prepared to give birth to my 3rd child. She listened, cared, and helped meet clear on what mattered most to me. I will be forever grateful for her support, which set the stage for an incredibly positive birth experience."
Laura, Antenatal Client
"Victoria is incredibly gentle and attentive: she is a guide that provides positive reinforcement while also allowing parents to discover their own perspective on giving birth. I highly recommend her as a doula for prenatal birth preparation and believe that she will be an incredible help for postnatal care as well."
Tara & Boris, Antenatal Clients
"I turned to Victoria for help and guidance in preparing for my second birth around 32 weeks into my pregnancy. I felt I needed some dedicated time to focus on the birth, my wants and needs and to talk through my first birth which was playing on my mind a lot. Victoria was so supportive, listening to me and offering guidance and suggestions to ease my worries and to help me prepare. Developing my birth plan with her was brilliant and her ideas of what may or may not be things for me to consider were invaluable. The relaxation periods at the end of each session were wonderful and I found myself listening to them to help me during periods of anxiety. We performed out sessions online. I fully recommend her to anyone looking for help and support in their preparation for bith. Thank you Victoria."
Sophie, Antenatal Client
"...the moment I met Victoria well I was just put at ease right away. I mean she's just so kind and she's so nice. She's really gentle and compassionate in her approach. So I felt really safe and reassured sharing my experience with her...after this one session I can say that how I felt was completely transformed immediately...I mean it has just changed my life...I cannot thank Victoria enough. Doing this work with her has totally changed my whole perspective of my experience...please find Victoria and do this work with her because it is just incredible."
Sarah-Jane, Traumatic Birth Recovery 3 Step Rewind Client
