Baby Rowan's Birth

Allison possesses a rare depth of educational knowledge that she shares with total transparency and zero ego.
Throughout the labour, Allison was the definition of "calm in the storm." Her presence allowed me to stay grounded, even when things felt intense. Allison’s commitment to informed choices is incredibly high. She never took the reins or made decisions for me; instead, she provided me with the tools, the evidence, and the confidence to take full responsibility for my own birth experience. Allison doesn't just give you answers; she gives you the education to find your own. She ensured that every choice made was my own, rooted in my values and my intuition. There are no words to fully capture the impact Allison had on my homebirth experience. From the moment I began working with her through the recommendation of a midwife. I knew I wasn't just about having anyone but within Allison, I was partnering with a formidable advocate and a brilliant birth companion throughout my journey to welcome Rowan.

(The Artemins Pregnancy and Birth Package)
Rowan, October 2025

I have been a birth companion for over a decade, working in different countries, health and social care systems, and birthing environments. I have supported individual families, volunteered with non profit organisations and charities, ran community groups, mentored doulas and advocated for perinatal health within legislative and healthcare systems, locally, nationally and globally. I am a lay member of the NHS Lothian Maternity Voices Partnership, where I advocate for the rights of birthing people and for improvements in maternity care across NHS Lothian.

"Working alongside Allison was refreshing, she knew how to support the birthing couple in their own advocacy skills learned throughout their time together"

— M, Senior Paramedic

  • Human Rights

  • Advocacy based communication

  • Informed consent and decision making

  • Birth trauma debrief/resolution

  • Birth in hospital, birth centre and home

  • Obstetric and midwifery care

  • Unassisted (free) birth

  • Home and birth centre to hospital transfer

  • NICU medical rounds, care conferences and multidisciplinary team meetings

  • Social work meetings

  • Maternity care multidisciplinary team meetings

  • Hospital readmission of both baby and parent

  • High risk pregnancy

  • Multiple pregnancy - twins and triplets, including loss in utero of one or more babies

  • Pregnancy at advanced maternal age

  • Teen pregnancy

  • LGBTQIA pregnancy and birth support

  • Navigating pregnancy and birth with neurodivergence

  • Unplanned pregnancy

  • Assisted pregnancy

  • Premature birth

My experience includes:

My experience

Over 10 years

supporting birthing people and their families in pregnancy and birth.

Bringing birth back to you

  • Post term birth

  • Medical and elective induction

  • Medicated and unmedicated birth

  • Cesarean birth

  • Vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC)

  • Pregnancy after loss (PAL)

  • Miscarriage - first and second trimester at hospital and home

  • Recurring miscarriage

  • Stillbirth

  • Termination for medical/maternal reasons (TFMR)

  • Abortion

  • Neonatal loss

  • End of life planning

  • Neonatal Intensive Care/Special Care Baby Unit (NICU/SCBU)

  • Water birth

  • Physiological birth

  • Active birth

  • Hypnobirthing

  • Spinning Babies

My Training...

2025

  • Birthrights - Human Rights in Maternity Care: Helping Others Navigate the System

  • The NICU Translator - How Doulas Can Make a Difference in the NICU Experience

2024

  • Mother Informed - Informed Rights in Pregnancy and Childbirth

  • TGH Women's Institute - Doula Training in the OR and PACU

2023

  • The NICU Nook Essential Course

  • The Pittsburgh Midwife - Neonatal Resuscitation Program Workshop

  • American Academy of Pediatrics - Neonatal Resuscitation 8th Edition Essentials 1-4 Provider Curriculum

  • Nneka Hall Mother is Supreme Inc - Postpartum Care After Loss

  • Body Ready Method - Better Birth Pro Training Series

  • Des Moines University of Medicine and Health Sciences - Count the Kicks and Fetal Monitoring

  • Tampa Bay CPR - Basic Life Support

  • TBR College of Perinatal and Emotional Health - How to Safely Support Traumatised Parents in Your Care

  • Mother is Supreme Inc - Fertility Advocate

  • Cribs for Kids - Safe Sleep Ambassador Training

  • Mother is Supreme Inc - Reproductive Health and the Black Experience

2022

  • Doulagivers Institute - End of Life Doula Training Level 1

  • Spinning Babies - Spinning Babies Workshop

  • Birthing Advocacy Doula Training - Abortion Doula

2021

  • Mother is Supreme Inc - Pregnancy and Infant Loss PAILAdvocate

  • Maternal Instincts - The Advanced Doula Workshop Birthroom Advocacy

  • Maternal Instincts - Keeping Your Power for Families ™

  • Cornerstone Doula Training - Supporting Survivors Who Birth

  • Gina Kirby University - The Doulas Doula

2020

  • Echeri International - Rebozo and Mexican Birth Practices

Learn more

2019

  • TBR College of Perinatal and Emotional Health - Traumatic Birth Recovery 3 Step Rewind Programme

  • Birth Monopoly - Human Rights in Childbirth

  • Centre of Excellence - Energy Anatomy Diploma

2018

  • Reiki Mama - Pregnancy Reiki Certification

2017

  • Womb Keeper 13th Rite of the Munay Ki

  • Nikki Turner Reiki Master Teacher - Usui Reiki Levels I & II

2016

  • Angel Healing Waters - Angel Guidance and Healing Practitioner Level 1

  • Centre of Excellence - Angel Therapy Diploma

  • Centre of Excellence - Crystal Healing Diploma

  • SANDS UK - Pregnancy Loss and Death of a Baby: SANDS Training for Doulas

  • NHS Scotland - Bereavement in Maternity Care

  • LaLeche League Fife & Tayside - Michel Odent: A Turning Point in the History of Birth

  • Stillbirthday Doula - Birth and Bereavement Doula Certification

  • The National Child Traumatic Stress Centre - Psychological First Aid

2015

  • Progressive Parenting Network - Rebozo Workshop with Gina Kirby

  • Red Tent Doulas - Advance Doulas Professional Development

  • Sacred Pregnancy - Birth Trauma and Loss

2014

  • Sacred Pregnancy - Bengkung Belly Binding

  • BLISS Scotland - Peer Supporter Training

  • The Wise Hippo Birthing Programme - Hypnobirthing Instructor Training

  • Wysewomen - Aromatherapy for Birthworkers

  • Wysewomen - Pregnancy Loss

2013

  • Dr Sarah Buckley - Hormones of Labour Birth Study Day

  • Mindful Doulas - Doula Certification

  • Mindful Doulas - Breastfeeding Preparation

MORE EDUCATION OVER ON MY

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Medical Disclaimer: The information throughout this website is for informational purposes only, and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your maternity care provider 2026 The First Path Birth Companion