Does this sound familiar?
After spending 5 days in hospital between the labour ward and postnatal, during Covid, I came home with Ahana feeling broken, and deeply vulnerable. I just wanted someone to say I was doing a good job.
Right now you might be reminiscing about your birth and what you deeply craved, but may not have received. For me, I needed love, warmth and loving touch.
This time round, you want to ask for help. But you're not sure who to trust.
I get it…
I'm Syama [Sha-ma], and I support new and growing families like yours through the postpartum period.
I remember how tender and vulnerable we are in those early days and months.
During my first postpartum, I travelled to Kerala, where I witnessed how traditional doulas (Vytathi’s) care for mothers with such devotion, warmth, and reverence. I knew then, that this level of care was deeply needed here in the UK — where so many of us live far from family and often don't receive the ongoing, consistent support we truly need. That's why I do this work — so you don't have to navigate this precious time alone.
I am proud of the support I've given families and the change I see in them over the weeks of working together. You come to me unsure about what postpartum may look like, but you know that being cared for isn’t a privilege, it is your birth right. My job isn't to use new age healing methods —it's to remember the traditions and skills that our ancestors used in taking care of a new mother. My aim is to take care of you, so that your focus is on getting to know your new baby.
Why did I become a postpartum doula?
I have experienced postpartum three times, and each time it brought a massive wave of appreciation for my body, but also a longing to be tended to. I needed a steady hand to guide me through each transition.
That's why I became a doula specialising in postnatal care as I know all too well how much I craved warmth, and love. I just wanted someone to say it was ok to stay in bed, and go a step further and tuck me in to just rest.
Now I help families build themselves back up and ease into the transition once the baby is earthside so they can confidently get to know their baby and feel supported in those initial early days.
What experience do I bring?
Red Tent birth preparation and postpartum. The Red Tent represents the womb, women in circle, matriarchy and life. I am also a student of the menstrual medicine course which means I am building my knowledge of the womb from Menarche all the way to Menopause.
I am proud of the support I've given families and the change I see in them over the weeks of working together. It brought me so much joy seeing the mothers light up when they start listening to their intuition. My job is to take care of you, and I truly believe that if we get these first precious weeks right as a society, it would ripple out so much love in this world.