I am Thando

I’m Thando. I’m a birth and postpartum doula, mentor, trainer, educator, speaker and soul midwife/death doula — but above all, I’m someone who walks alongside you during one of the most powerful and tender times in your life.

People often tell me they feel calmer just being around me. I bring a steady, grounded presence and hold space with compassion, curiosity and a deep respect for every birth journey. I believe birth is not just about how a baby is born — it’s about how you feel, how you're seen, heard and supported.

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Over the years, I’ve supported all kinds of births and families, including:

people facing birth phobia or previous trauma
gestational diabetes, group B strep, and IVF pregnancies
inductions, planned and emergency caesareans
premature babies and babies who take their time
breech births, twin vaginal births, VBACs and HBACs
solo mothers
unassisted births
parents navigating anxiety, depression or healing from sexual abuse

My clients have included doctors, doulas and public figures — but most of all, everyday people who return to me again and again. Families. Friends of clients. Siblings. That kind of trust means the world to me.

TESTIMONIALS

When we decided to work with Thando for the birth of our second child we had no idea how far reaching the effect her support would be for our little family. We’d had a difficult conception journey and traumatic first birth and held lots of fear and anxiety. Her calm and gentle belief in us, her guidance as we learned about physiological birth, her prompting us to pause and reflect before making decisions antenatally… it’s hard to sum up, she brings true magic to her clients. It contributed to us going into our daughter’s birth with a mindset and energy we previously wouldn’t have believed possible. The birth experience was healing and transformative for both myself and my partner. We are forever grateful to you Thando!

Lydia & Takudzwa, 2022

As someone who was really anxious about pregnancy and birth and had very little family support due to living abroad, Thando was a lifeline. We never saw the same doctor twice and sometimes what we were told was unnecessarily worrying and didn't take our specific circumstances into account. So it was very reassuring to have Thando share her knowledge and experience with us, I felt we were more prepared to speak to health professionals and I was able to be confident in my birth choices, even when I felt undue pressure to change my mind. It was a really vulnerable time for me but Thando was able to give me that empowerment. She's also a wonderfully empathetic and caring person…

Belinda, 2023

Education

June 2025

November 2024

September 2020

October 2019

October 2018

March 2018

February 2018

May 2017

January 2017

April 2013-May 2016

February 2016

May 2014-May 2016

Biomechanics for Birth with Midwife Mollie O Brien

Gathering in the Knowledge course with Dr Sara Wickham (Midwife)

Closing of the Bones Ceremony workshop with Rocio Alarcon

Paramana Doula Course with Michel Odent and Liliana Lammers

Loving the Multiple Mamas; Multiple Pregnancy & Postnatal with Mars Lord

Microbiome and Birth & Breastfeeding Workshop.

Placenta Remedies Specialist (including Basic Infection Control, Food Hygiene level 2 for Manufacturing & Hazard Analysis Level 2 certificates)

Co-facilitating the Bristol Positive Birth Movement meet-up group

Teaching Men about Birth workshop with Mark Harris.

7 x 2.5hour sessions on topics such as Strep B, Prolonged Pregnancy, Obstetric Cholestasis, Induction, Working with Midwives, Growth Scans with Sue Learner (Independent Midwife).

Holistic and Therapeutic Soul Midwifery with Felicity Warner of Soul Midwives School

Co-founded Birthing in Colour (www.birthingincolour.co.uk)

June 2014

September 2014

March-June 2014

February 2013

November 2012

2006-2009

Holistic Contraception After Birth workshop with Jane Bennet.

Hypnobirthing Teacher Training with Katherine Graves.

Breastfeeding Course with April Whincop.

Paramana Doula Course with Michel Odent and Liliana Lammers.