THE HANDS-ON DOULA
Rohan Ochera
My journey to You
I was born and grew up in Norfolk, England, and later lived in the US, near San Francisco. I now live in South London with my husband and two children (who are old enough for me not to worry about being on call for births!).
I am, above all, a mother. I believe that being a parent is the most important job of all, which is why I love supporting families at the most crucial time of their parenting journey.
I didn’t have a doula for my births. I joined the National Childbirth Trust and did a hypnobirthing course - and I thought I was prepared but I was so wrong. Since training as a doula, I now realise how little I knew then and just how much there is to learn and understand about birth. Both of mine were wonderful in very different ways but I so wish I had had the knowledge I have now. I think my first birth may have been very different and I almost wish I could have another child now to put into practice all that I have learnt!
I qualified as a doula with Nurturing Birth in 2020. Becoming a doula has been the most natural thing in the world for me as it combines all my loves and skills; I continue to be inspired by the strength of women and the miracle of birth.
Over the years, I have completed a BSc in Health Sciences and a BSc then MSc in Nutritional Therapy. I qualified as a massage therapist at the Esalen Institute in California many years ago, where I lived amidst stunning nature. It instilled in me a belief in the healing, restorative power of touch.
For many of my adult years, including whilst I raised my children, I worked both as a masseuse and as a private chef for families. As a trained chef and a dedicated foodie, I value nutrition - but, above all, I love cooking simple, tasty food.
I don't believe that my training will ever be complete as there is always more to learn. I frequently attend study days, trainings, conferences and workshops to stay up-to-date and further my knowledge. I am currently adding to my breastfeeding training, and I plan to certify in hypnobirthing soon.
Alongside my private work, I volunteer as a doula for an amazing charity called Happy Baby Community, supporting vulnerable pregnant women seeking asylum in this country.
​
Qualifications:
-
Active Birth Professional Training with Janet Balaskas - 2023
-
Birthing Biomechanics with Shellie Poulter - 2022
-
Supporting every birth workshop - Nurturing Birth, 2022
-
Birth and postnatal doula training - Nurturing Birth, 2020
-
Suzanne Yates Wellmother Pregnancy diploma - ongoing
-
MSc Nutritional therapy - 2010
-
Esalen Massage Practitioner Training - Esalen Institute, CA, 2003
-
Diploma in Food and Wine - Leiths School of food and wine, 2000
-
Enhanced DBS check - April 2022
I am, above all, a mother. I believe that being a parent is the most important job of all, which is why I love supporting families at the most crucial time of their parenting journey.
What my clients say
“I wanted to write a few words to thank you for helping us bring our beautiful baby girl Aurélia into the world...
Ginny, mother of Aurelia
“This pregnancy was full of hope, but also fear and anxiety, as it came after four pregnancy losses of much wanted babies. You were understanding and supportive from the start, and helped us to talk and think through the different birth options - taking time to consider the benefits and risks and help me to think through different scenarios and birth plans.
You provided me with great information, books and non-judgemental advice so that we could make our own informed decisions. Those two lunchtime sessions and follow-up information were so helpful. You also referred me to calm birth school hypnobirthing which were great sessions.
​
The two massage sessions you gave me were amazing - all the pregnancy aches and pains melted away and they were honestly some of the best massages I’ve had - I felt truly relaxed afterwards, and listening to the hypnobirthing affirmations during the massage was wonderful.
So, I just wanted to say thank you for all your help and sessions and being such a key part of our birth journey - it all helped to empower me and helped make it an amazing and positive birth. I am still a little overwhelmed and overjoyed by the whole thing!"
“Today I had the most nourishing recharging morning in the hands of Rohan the postnatal doula.
Victoria, postnatal massage client
It coudnt have come at a better time with 2 hourly wake ups post Meredith’s injections. So feeling a bit frazzled. But it felt so helpful connect and be present on my body and for it to be looked after, at a vulnerable time postnatally, all in my own home! Something I wouldnt have thought possible.
I genuinely cant thank you enough. Without getting too soppy about it all, it just truly was magic.
Thank you, Thank you. Thank you xxx”