Sophie Girard-Sequeira

Sophie offers antenatal doula support to women/couples on their journey to birth and parenthood with a very holistic approach. Her antenatal doula sessions are bespoke and designed to each pregnant woman’s needs and birth preferences to include positive childbirth education, preparation for labour and birth with techniques such as hypnobirthing, learning about comfort measures and breathing/relaxation/movements strategies, as well as more general open-ended guidance sessions. Sophie is also a qualified practitioner in Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy, and supports women in their recovery from birth trauma through a gentle and effective technique (Birth Trauma Release).

Sophie is originally French and after living in the UK for several years, made Brussels her home in 2006. She trained with pioneer childbirth educator Janet Balaskas (Active Birth) in London in 2007 and has since built knowledge and experience in various fields of holistic birth preparation. She is the mother of two amazing young adult children.

Prenatal doula support

• Personalised childbirth education sessions
• Hypnobirthing
• General doula guidance sessions (eg to gain insight on choosing a place of birth, birth preferences, etc)
• Birth Trauma Release
• Personalised ‘Birth Rehearsal’ sessions to practice movements, positions, comfort measures, breathing techniques and massage techniques for a more comfortable labour and birth experience.

Other related services and activities

Prenatal yoga

Training & certifications

• Active Birth Teacher (London UK) 2007
• Hypnobirthing Practionner (Marie Mongan method)(UK) 2010
• Paramana Doula Course (London UK)(Michel Odent & Liliana Lammers) 2014
• Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy (UK College of Hypnosis & Hypnotherapy) 2023
• Various Yoga teacher training courses including Well Woman Yoga Therapy, Postnatal Yoga, Restorative Yoga, Yoga Nidra, Menopause yoga, Mother Blessing Ceremonies, Rebozo, etc… (2007 until today)

Testimonials

“I am now back home with baby Olympia by my side! She was born in less than five hours from the very first contraction. It’s been quick and intense and I’m glad I managed to stay so focused within this time! All your tools have helped me get there with the right state of mind and I’m so so thankful for that! My husband was also an incredible support, he managed to stay calm and in tune with what each moment required – he definitely had some lightbulb moment during the couple preparation we did together so thank you very much for that too! 🙂  “ E.

“Thank you so much for this wonderful, reassuring experience today. It really gave me a good sense of direction and manageability and above all else, confidence. You are incredible at what you do and I am so grateful you were part of my pregnancy journey. It is wonderful to know there are people like you supporting pregnant women.” N.

“I have to thank you again for the two hypnobirthing sessions, as well as for the yoga practice. My mindset was completely different in just a couple of months. It was an “easy” birth in the sense that labour lasted for 12 hours. I really surprised myself with the strength and calm I pulled out, and kept feeling that my body was ready for it, and that I could push her out. I still can’t believe that I went from that feeling of absolute dread, to knowing that I could do it, in just a couple of months”. S.