Karen Gray

 

Karen has always been around and involved in pregnancy, birth and babies with friends and family. In 1994 a friend and her partner chose Karen to support them through their journey of pregnancy and birth as their first experience had been very difficult.  Sharing this precious moment changed Karen’s life and her passion for supporting families began.  

 

After becoming involved in rebirthing (breath therapy) in1990 she became fascinated with healing her own birth and trained as a rebirther/trainer, healer, massage therapist and holistic pulser and this has taken her on a  spiritual path in healing and self development. This gives her a clarity around pre-natal, birth and post natal care that is needed to assist the shared unique journey of pregnancy and birth.

 

Karen qualified in 2010 as a doula with Kate Woods (Conscious Birthing). She has now joined their doula team to offer her experience, love and understanding. She realised that the pressure on men “to be there” continuously throughout was unrealistic and her passion to support the whole family unit was ignited.

 

Karen works gently with families through the pregnancy, birth and post natal care. She has a natural ease and manner and a way of tapping into the women’s innate wisdom and inner voice to allow them to trust their own intuition and knowing. 

 

 

                          

              

 

Testimonials

'I had been dreading another labour as my previous experience with my daughter had been difficult. I didn’t know how I would have the strength to go through it again and had been complaining to Karen about my last labour.  So I sounded out Karen as to whether she would consider coming in with me. When I discussed it with my husband he thought it was a good idea and we went ahead and we devised a birth plan together.  I felt relaxed throughout the pregnancy knowing that Karen would be there to see me through whatever happened and during this time I had rebirthing and holistic pulsing sessions with Karen, which baby enjoyed as well.  I wanted to have my son in the water and with no drugs.  This was a tough decision because I’m scared of pain but I needed to do it.  I wanted to feel what labour actually felt like and I knew that Karen’s strength and support would enable me to carry out my birth wishes.

As I went into labour the contractions intensified.  Karen got me through each contraction by focusing on my breathing and using acupressure and visualisation to alleviate the pain.  It felt like she really understood what I felt and knew exactly what to do and say.  It felt very instinctive and flowing. 

I really wanted to have drugs for pain relief as the contractions became stronger but Karen kept my focus on my birth plan and talked me through my fears.  Throughout this last part of the labour Karen completely came into her own and I felt able to surrender and just let her guide me through.  I focused on her words and I could feel the water around me and see Karen and hear her voice.  She was amazing.  There is truly no way I would have had the birth I wanted and been able to go through it without Karen.  She was strong but not overpowering.  She was sensitive but assertive.  It wasn’t just a one sided experience it felt like we made the journey together.  My husband was never excluded from anything and my daughter and he enjoyed Karen supporting not only me but them as well.

For me, having Karen, a most gifted and insightful woman as a doula was the right decision, as there is no one more suited for this vocation'.

Jane

 

Testimonial 2

'We had all the usual concerns that first time parents have. "Will the birth proceed as we have planned? Will mother and baby be ok? Will we know what to do when the baby arrives?" All these questions are quite normal, but what's important is to have someone around with a bit of experience and the sensitivity to communicate reassurance with kindness.  Karen, our doula was the perfect person to be involved in such a meaningful experience as birthing your first child.

Karen has an amazing way of being there when it’s needed and not-being around when privacy is needed. She intuitively knows how to respond in the moment - from a cup of tea or homeopathic treatment - a shoulder massage - or a joke to lighten the mood.

Karen was as supportive after the birth as she had been before – in a strange turn of events our baby became unwell and spent several days in Special Care. Karen was always there – talking to relatives on the phone at home – getting the shopping in – visiting us in hospital every day. It was a very scary experience and I cannot imagine having faced it with out the constant support and unwavering commitment of our doula and independent midwives. .

I cannot imagine birthing without the support of a doula, it feels like the most natural thing in the world and Karen has a natural flair for this wonderful work. Thank you, thank you, thank you Karen for supporting us to create a birth I will always feel proud of!'

Natalia

 

Testimonial 3

'Karen was the doula for the birth of my first son Harry. She was totally supportive throughout the pregnancy and in the run up to the birth always at the end of the phone with help and healing. The birth was not easy but Karen was there throughout and completely backed up my decisions as I went through both helping me and standing by me especially when midwife support was a little lacking. The midwives spoke positively of her, also finding her very helpful to have there supporting me.

My husband also found it invaluable as Karen was there throughout even when his energy was flagging. Afterwards he said he didn’t think we could have done it without her and I agree. When things were difficult she was really there-helping me to breathe, keeping me calm and really backing up every decision. She mediated where necessary between me and the medical staff especially when I was exhausted and she could tell them what I said I wanted when I was too tired too (e.g the cord not cutting until it had stopped pulsing). It was a difficult birth but I am in no doubt that it would have been a lot harder if she hadn’t been there!'

Kat

 

Testimonial 4

'I contacted Karen fairly late on in my pregnancy as I was anxious about only having my partner at the birth - he has Aspergers’ and tragically lost a child a few years ago so he had his own set of anxieties about the birth and as it drew closer seemed to be detaching himself from it at a time I really needed him to be there.

When I first met Karen I immediately felt very comfortable explaining my personal circumstances to her, she is very easy company and was attentive to what I was saying.  I have a 6 year old daughter, and Karen went out of her way to include her in everything and treat us as a whole unit, not just a couple having a baby.  I think my partner was relieved that we had found Karen and that had taken the pressure off of him, and he did not feel at all threatened or pushed out by her presence as she is very respectful and aware of knowing how much she should be involved.  

By the time I went into labour I felt like I knew Karen a lot better. She arrived just after we did at the hospital, and stayed with me throughout my labour.  Karen came for a walk with me - my partner was off 'parking the car' (I think he was really just needing to spend some time getting his head together) for a lot of the time, so I am glad Karen was there.  Karen was great throughout the whole time and although I wasn't too aware of anything except the pain at times, I was aware and thankful that she was there; she was very reassuring and encouraging. Karen stayed with us this whole time.

After the birth of our daughter we were all just left in the pool room, and it was a really nice time, taking it in turns to hold the baby and chatting away, and Karen looked after my baby for me while I went for a bath.

Karen came to visit us in our new home a few days after the birth. After that visit - officially the end of Karen's commitment to us - I felt really sad that that could be the last time we saw her.  Having her at my daughter's birth had made me feel connected to her in a way I had not really anticipated.  So we arranged to meet up when Evie was a month old, and plan to do so again soon.  I hope to stay in touch with Karen long term; she stepped into our lives at a difficult time and made the birth process a lot easier for me and my partner.  After the birth I was 100% glad that she had been there. Thanks Karen!'