A founding member of Mamaheaven, Paula Gallardo has been a Doula (birth assistant) and a recognised member of Doula UK since 1995. She has three children and currently works as a pregnancy, birth and parenting teacher and advisor in  London helping many women and their partners on their journey to becoming a parent.

Paula is also a trained yoga teacher specializing in pregnancy and post-natal yoga.

In her work she covers many areas of the birth and parenting spectrum supporting families physically and emotionally  in small groups of birth preparation classes and one-to-one consultations (in person or by phone/Skype). Subjects covered include:

• Menstruation education
• Fertility advice
• First-time parent’s preparation
• VBAC (Vaginal birth after Cesarean)
• Understanding the physiological process in pregnancy and birth
• Optimal fetal positioning
• Understanding pain and pain relief
• Bonding and attachment
• Newborn care
• Post-natal care for mother and baby
• Breastfeeding
• Relationship issues
• Parenting

At Mamaheaven she coordinates the events and facilitates both the Birth stories and Mamacircle sessions, helping mothers explore their recent experiences.

Through her doula work, active-birth training, parenting courses, counseling and other influences she has developed a keen interest in postnatal issues and empowered parenting, especially the importance of reviewing the way we understand and educate the physiology of birth and the importance of “the birth story”. She has been greatly influenced by Ina May, Sheila Kitzinger and Michel Odent and works closely with Da-a-Luz, a group of midwives, doulas and birth supporters dedicated to holistic pregnancy and birth.

The Team at a glance

Testimonials

Good to try yoga again – really feel my body alive again and want to keep it that way. Erika is really a first class teacher.
— L , Hereford