Emma Gunn is a Recognised Birth Doula and Chair of Doula UK and started her Doula journey in 2005 when she completed Michel Odent's doula course. She is also a qualified Natal Hypnotherapy and Reiki II Practitioner and teaches birth preparation courses to couples in a group or one-to-one basis.
I have always been drawn to the magic of pregnancy and the miracle of birth and loved being pregnant. I decided to become a doula after having my second child. My first baby, Phoebe, now 14, presented breech and I had her by elective caesarean section. The second time round, as a VBAC (Vaginal Birth after Caesarean), I was keen to give myself every opportunity to have a normal, spontaneous birth. I therefore researched just what it was that women needed to give birth with little or no intervention. My labour was long and challenging but because I felt well prepared, confident and calm I found it a thoroughly empowering and transforming experience. With the help and support of my one-to-one midwife, I delivered Jude onto my tummy with my own hands. It was the most euphoric moment of my life. I knew then that I wanted to use my experience and knowledge to help support other women on their own birthing journey. Each woman, each baby, each birth is unique. I remain continuously inspired, by the mothers who invite me to share their birth experience and they have given me incredible insight into our innate abilities to birth beautifully with minimal interference. |