My name is Verina Henchy and I am a recognised birth doula working in the Peterborough, Stamford, Oundle, South Lincolnshire and North Cambridgeshire areas. My own children are now adults and I am a very proud grandmother to five young children.
As well as being a doula, I am a certified Hypnobirthing practitioner, a breast feeding peer supporter and a qualified and registered homeopath (BSc Hons, LCHE, RSHom).
I strongly believe that women need to feel safe, secure and supported through pregnancy, birth and beyond. My aim as a doula is to empower you to make informed decisions and choices about your labour and the birth of your baby.
My career has always involved supporting and nurturing individuals and families during times of transition. I worked for many years as a drug and alcohol misuse specialist before undertaking a degree course in homeopathy in 2005. Supporting women through the perinatal period soon became my passion and I trained to become a doula with Nurturing Birth in 2010.
I am able to provide you with individualised care and support before, during and after birth, enabling you to maintain optimum health and prepare for your new arrival.
I can tailor my services to your needs:
Support during pregnancy
Homeopathy for pregnancy and childbirth
Birth doula
My Philosophy
I firmly believe that when a woman feels supported and informed as well as physically and emotionally safe she is more likely to achieve a positive birth experience. My aim is to support and empower women to trust in their own intuition and judgement and to have the faith and confidence to make their own choices.
I don’t give medical advice or make decisions for you, instead I provide you with continuity of care and ensure that you have all the information you need in order to make informed decisions during your pregnancy, labour and early parenting.
Related skills and qualifications
I am a qualified homeopath, having trained at the Centre for Homeopathic Education in London, and I am a registered member of the Society of Homeopaths.
I offer group and 1:1 Hypnobirthing classes – a complete antenatal programme focussing on a combination of education, hypnotherapy, self-hypnosis, breathing techniques and deep relaxation to help you achieve a more comfortable birth.
I am trained as a breast feeding peer supporter offering support when it comes to breastfeeding problems and helping you to access prompt and appropriate support from others when needed.
I am a lay member of the Peterborough Maternity Service Clinical Governance Group, ensuring that the Healthcare Trust listens to and takes account of the views and experiences of the women and their partners who use the Peterborough maternity services.
I hold a current CRB Enhanced Disclosure Certificate.
Experience & Training
I have experience of working in a variety of settings (home, birth pool, MLBU, labour ward, surgical theatre) and I have supported many families as they navigate their own individual birth journey. As well as learning from each and every family that I work with, I am continuously updating my skills and knowledge through networking with other birth workers, reading relevant books and studies and attending CPD study days.