About Me — Postnatal Doula In Surrey- Katherine Knapp

Hire A Doula

It’s really lovely to meet you, I’m Katherine, a postnatal doula and sling consultant in Surrey. I think in many ways I’ve always been a doula but in early 2018, I completed my doula preparation course with Younique Postnatal and began my journey as a postnatal doula with Doula UK. I have been a sling consultant and breastfeeding peer supporter since 2016. I am fully insured, DBS checked and hold an up to date paediatric first aid qualification.

Since having my first baby 15 years ago I have enjoyed a variety of roles supporting families from being a volunteer with Dorking NCT Sling Library to running busy toddler groups and sling meets to supporting women at our weekly postnatal drop-in the Motherspace in Dorking.

I love being a postnatal doula, it is an enormous privilege and joy to work with families at this special time. I am warm, calm and compassionate, I believe that women need and deserve time and space to slow down, rest and recover after birth, to take things gently as they keep their tiny humans safe and well- it’s a huge deal and we shouldn’t be expected to do it all alone.

I am in awe of mothers, of their strength, their resilience, their capacity for love, their tenderness and their courage. I am passionate about all things birth and early parenthood, I love learning and continue to update my knowledge on a regular basis.

I live in the Surrey Hills with my three children aged 15, 13 and 9. Aside from all things birth, postnatal and early parenting, I love walks in the woods, cooking, coffee and books…..there’s always an excuse for another book!

My clients say…….

“Katherine was, without a doubt, our secret weapon to enjoying - and thriving during - post natal recovery with our third child. Her warmth and guidance is both practically and emotionally helpful, and those early weeks felt so much easier. By looking after us all at a time when I was depleted, it meant I had time to nap, eat well (she’s a delicious cook!), and have the energy to enjoy our baby, whilst offering a listening ear and reassurance to the endless “am I doing this right” questions I had. Having a doula might feel like a “nice to have” luxury spend, but as an investment into my mental, physical and emotional health - aswell as more time - it’s hands down the best money we spent to help our family. Katherine was such a joy to have in our home at a time when things are both exciting and stressful. I wish I had known about her with my first two!”

“We had never really heard of ‘doulas’ before and were unsure about having a stranger help us at home with our new baby and toddler, but we are so grateful that we made contact with Katherine. Katherine was with us for about a year and during that time she was a huge help to our family; she cared for our new baby beautifully whilst cooking some lovely meals and offering gentle moral support. I cannot overstate the positive impact having her around had on us all and I would not hesitate to recommend Katherine to anyone who is in need of a helping hand.”

“Katherine is friendly, knowledgeable and super helpful. Not only is she great with my daughter but she is also an amazing cook and does all of this whilst concurrently providing emotional support at a time when you are adjusting to motherhood. I wish I'd found her sooner!”

“I was so lucky to find Katherine as my doula. I was due my second baby, and after a traumatic birth with complications after my first, I wanted to ensure I had the right support so I could enjoy the early days with my newborn this time.

Katherine has a calm, kind nature, I trusted her immediately and her support was brilliant. She is totally non-judgemental and has a wealth of knowledge about postnatal support in the local community. Katherine is a wonderful doula and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend her to any new mum”

“I think Katherine is everything you could ask for in a doula: calm, gentle, thoughtful and curious, hugely supportive and lovely with the baby.”

“Katherine’s support has changed my experience of being a new mum. Knowing that a calm and helpful presence is coming once a week makes me so much more confident. We use her visits to get things done that I can’t manage on my own or to catch up if I get behind on daily chores, and also make use of her knowledge of baby care and baby wearing. She has a gentle manner and great affinity with little babies, my son loves her and enjoys her visits as much as I do. Highly recommended.”

Photo Courtesy of Lynn Murphy, Active Birth Centre, London.

Recent Training

2016

The Association For Breastfeeding Mothers, Mother Supporter Course.
Slingababy Sling Consultant Training.
Active Listening and Basic Counselling Skills, Wibke Holt, Carry On London.
The Benefit of Skin to Skin Contact and Applying TICKS in Kangaroo Care, Nicole Hastie, Carry On London, 2016

2017

‘Infant Mental Health’, Wibke Holt, The Northern Sling Exhibition, Sheffield
‘Using Slings and Wraps in Labour and Beyond’, Sophie Messager, Slingababy CPD
‘Understanding Newborns’, Younique Postnatal, London
8 week Breastfeeding Peer Support Course with Jill Sheperd IBCLC

2018

‘Breastfeeding Case Studies’ Study Day with Maddie McMahon, Haywards Heath
‘Understanding Infant Behaviour’ Emily Fackrell Director of CalmFamily CIC, Slingababy CPD
‘Postnatal Doula Preparation Course’, Younique Postnatal, Midhurst
'Perinatal Mental Health', A 1 day Workshop led by Dr. Jo. Gee Psychotherapist, Mummas Wellbeing, Guildford.

2019