Hi, I'm Elisha and welcome to The Crystal Doula.
I'm a mother of three, so as well as all my training, I have been through pregnancy, labour, birth, and all that follows with my own children, and I've learnt a lot of tips and tricks along the way.
I trained as a Breastfeeding Helper after having my first over 10 years ago, and that's where my love for helping families started. I've been a volunteer ever since, running weekly breastfeeding support groups in Pembrokeshire, and I'm now training to be a Certified Lactation Consultant.
Whilst trying to get pregnant with my second, I suffered with secondary infertility, this was one of the hardest times I've gone through, and I felt such a mix of grateful and terrified when I got pregnant. It was this pregnancy that threw me into research around birth, and where I found I really had to advocate for myself, hard!
It was after this experience that I really started thinking about becoming a Doula, then after a family loss I decided life was too short, and I needed to follow my instincts. During my training I really enjoyed learning all about birth, and now I absolutely love doing antenatal sessions and supporting births, helping make the transition for families as easy as possible.
It’s my mission to make sure that you know everything is an option, that you don't have to do what you're told, you've got choices and a say in what happens, as so often we’re made to feel that’s not the case. Your body, your baby, your birth.
But you don’t know what you don’t know, and that’s where I come in.
My commitment is to be there for you all offering guidance, comfort, reassurance. empathy and compassion, and creating a calm and supportive environment, where you feel heard, understood, and cared for.
I’m passionate about educating around pregnancy, birth and beyond, so through our time and sessions together, I give you continuity of care, knowledge, confidence and clarity to make decisions that are right for you, and the courage to stand firm in what you want. All the information I offer is based on evidence, helping you to navigate the healthcare system, advocate for yourself, and make sure your wishes and values are honoured at every stage.
I've had three very different, quite traumatic births, but I don't have birth trauma, and that is the difference between having the knowledge and confidence to advocate, to know how the system works, and what you can do about it, over just going with the flow.
Birth is not just about having a healthy baby, it’s a transformation that will change you for the rest of your life, and how safe and protected you feel will shape your experience, you don’t have to figure this out alone.
If you’re looking for someone on your team who listens, respects you, supports you, protects you, and helps you head into the day you give birth feeling positive, calm and strong, then get in touch, and let’s start crafting the birth experience you truly deserve.
Location
I live in Pembrokeshire but I cover many areas for both Doula and Breastfeeding support in South Wales, including Carmarthen, Ceredigion, Cardigan, Llanelli, Swansea.
If you're unsure whether I cover your postcode, just get in touch to ask.
My support as a Virtual Doula is available across the UK.