This is What a Doula Looks Like

My name is Kristina Hansard but I’m known to everyone as Kicki. I was born in a small town called Asele in Swedish Lapland, the magical land of Father Christmas, reindeer and northern lights. I moved to England in 1990 and I have two girls born 1998 and 2000 at Watford General Hospital.

I trained as a Legal Secretary but was working in the IT industry before I had children and was lucky enough to be able to stay at home to care for them. I came across the word ‘doula’ in a Sunday Magazine and immediately felt that this was something I would like to do. Having been away from my mother during my own births and postnatal period, I feel strongly about being there for others when they embark on the journey of motherhood.

I trained with Kassandra Clements and BOND (British School of Nurturing Doulas) in London, July 2002. This course gave me the extra knowledge I needed and together with my own natural birth experiences, I feel confident and honoured to be supporting women and their partners at this very special time of their lives. I hold a Diploma in Professional Relaxation Therapy and I have a Certificate in Social Sciences through the Open University. I am continuing my studying with the Open University and hopefully I will gain my BSc later this year!

In July 2004, I attended a conference in Bristol and had the pleasure to meet Ina May Gaskin, who’s book, ‘Spiritual Midwifery’ is a must read for all pregnant women. I have also spent a day in Sheila Kitzinger’s lovely house outside Oxford on her ‘Birth Crisis’ workshop. In June 2007, I was very excited to meet with the ‘grandmother of all doulas’, Penny Simkin. I had the opportunity to have cream tea with her and also attended her seminar the following day. These women are truly inspirational and I feel honoured to have met and spent some time with them. I also enjoyed meeting Jack Newman and to attend a study day on breast feeding with him here in the UK in 2010. I’m really looking forward to meeting with Michel Odent in June this year at a study day in Sarratt, Hertfordshire. For more information, click here.

I’m a member of Doula UK, which is a network of doulas run by doulas, and I abide by their Philosophy and Code of Conduct. I have gone through their assessment procedure and have attained their ‘recognised’ doula status. I am also a Certified Doula with BOND and with Nurturing Birth.

In 2005, I took part in a television programme called ‘Mum + One’ about doulas, which can still occasionally be seen on the Discovery Home & Health Channel. I was also very honoured to receive the Pregnancy & Birth Magazine and Doula UK award of “Doula of the Year” in 2009. It’s the only year this award has been presented, which makes it even more special for me.

Since July 2006 I have been teaching Nurturing Birth’s Doula Training Courses all over the UK, which is something that I enjoy very much. I have now trained around 200 aspiring doulas. I also run my own ‘Prepare for Birth’ workshops and one-to-one birth preparation evenings. I have completed the City & Guild Award in Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector (PTLLS).

I am fully insured and have been CRB checked. Should you wish to talk to any of my previous clients, I would be happy to put you in touch.