www.birthbliss.co.uk
Personal Information:
My name is Kristina Hansard but I am known to everyone as Kicki. I am originally from a small town in Swedish Lapland called Åsele , and moved to England in 1990. 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 wanted to do. Having been away from my mother at my own births 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 now feel confident and honoured to be supporting women and their partners at this very special time of their lives. I also hold a Diploma in Professional Relaxation Therapy and I have a Certificate in Social Sciences through the Open University. I am currently continuing my studying with the Open University and I am hoping to gain a degree in Psychology.
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 am 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 Nurturing Birth.
In 2005, I took part in a television programme called "Mum + One" about doulas, which was aired on the Discovery Home & Health Channel. I also feel very honoured to receive the Pregnancy & Baby Magazine and Doula UK award of "Doula of the Year 2009".
I am fully insured and have an up-to-date police check. Should you wish to talk to any of my previous clients, I can put you in touch.
From 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 180 aspiring doulas. I also run my own Prepare for Birth workshops.
I have attended births at Watford General, QEII - Welwyn Garden City, Stoke Mandeville, Lister Hospital - Stevenage, Luton & Dunstable Hospital, Northwick Park Hospital, Chichester Hospital, Braintree Birth Centre, Harlow Maternity, the Royal Free, Chelsea & Westminster Hospital, St Mary's Hospital - Lindo Wing & NHS, Queen Charlotte’s Hospital, Homerton Hospital, Hillingdon HospitalWest Middlesex University Hospital, UCH London, Edgware Birth centre, Hemel Hempstead Birth centre and even a special home birth at Windsor Castle.
Testimonials:
"It was positive and reassuring to discuss issues regarding the labour with someone who has great experience and knowledge of childbirth."
Helena
"After my previous experience, having Kicki there was a bliss. She helped me control my breathing, keep calm, she remembered by birthplan, applied counter pressure and was there for me at all times. I felt very comfortable that she was with us and she was a strength of support"
Pamila
"Kicki was instrumental in assuring I had a fantastic birth experience. I am absolutely sure that had she not been there it would have been very different."
Debbie
"I honestly don’t know what we would have done without Kicki in the early weeks after we had our baby. She was the mother I didn’t have, totally non-judgemental and supportive, always on my side, ultimately giving me the confidence to look after my baby on my own. The best thing was that she didn’t make me dependent on her, as a maternity nurse would have done, and instead focused on getting me through the transition to being a Mummy. She also gave me and my husband some much-needed time off – whilst managing to tidy the house, do the washing and ironing, and de-scale the kettles!"
SW
Kicki was amazing! We couldn't think of anything she could've done better. She was with us 100% the whole way. I still feel so grateful."
Karen
"Having Kicki gave us confidence. Knowing that we were walking into a hospital environment with someone who'd protect our interests plus be there soley for us was fantastic. I will always remember Kicki telling me "You're doing so well" at a time in labour when things were spiraling out of control and intervention was threatened. Her voice was always calm and assuring. She was priceless."
Alison
