NCT Courses and Covid-19

We are updating course information on our website and contacting course bookers as early as we can before courses begin, explaining whether courses will run in-person or online.

How we make decisions about the delivery of NCT courses

As the UK’s largest parenting charity and leader in the field of antenatal education, we make informed decisions with full consideration to the current and any (confirmed) future UK government restrictions and official guidance and the most reliable research findings and data regarding pregnancy and Covid-19.

We also consult closely with our colleagues at the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) and Royal College of Midwives (RCM).  

It’s our charitable mission to support all parents to have the most positive experiences of pregnancy, birth and the early days, so we will: 

  • always make decisions that offer the best experiences available whilst protecting you, our parents, your babies and our NCT course leaders. 
  • act promptly and transparently, informing you how and why your course will be delivered as early as practically possible.  

Deborah is a fully qualified NCT Doula and licenced NCT Antenatal Practitioner. She lives in Gloucestershire and supports parents living in Tewkesbury, Cheltenham, Gloucester, Evesham, the Forest of Dean and surrounding areas.

Would you like Deborah to be your doula?

Email: deborahlhannam@outlook.com or call 07846 472854 

 

About Deborah

Debs is a mum to four teenage sons and has a wealth of experience supporting women during pregnancy and delivering antenatal programmes across Gloucestershire.

Her love of working with parents has encouraged Debs to extend her support to the role of a doula, and she considers it a privilege to be able to support women through labour and birth.   

Deborah’s experience with many different families means she is non-judgemental and accepting of others, supporting women to make the choices that are right for them.  Forming strong relationships with her clients, Debs believes that if a woman feels totally cared for and is treated with kindness and respect they are more likely to feel that they have had a positive birth experience.   Debs will give reassurance and emotional and physical support throughout your labour, whether at a hospital, birthing centre or home environment and make sure you feel comfortable and cared for.  Debs feels strongly that doulas are also there to support fathers, partners, grandparents.  Whoever is there for you, she will be there for them too.  She is not there to take the place of your birthing partner (if you have one), but to support, encourage and enhance the birthing experience for you both.   As your doula, Debs will be there to ease the emotional experience of birth and focus on your needs and wishes, making sure you feel listened to and empowered to birth in the way that feels right for you.

 

Katherine Berzins

Qualifications

  • NCT Birth & Beyond Cert HE - Antenatal Facilitation, University of Worcester (2016)   
  • 4 years' experience creating and providing antenatal programmes and pregnancy group support for a charity supporting families throughout the UK.
  • Emergency Paediactric First Aid - Level 3 (2018)
  • Newborn Behavioural Observations System Training - Brazelton (2019)
  • Birth & Beyond Foundation Degree, University of Worcester 'Antenatal Educator and New Baby, New Family' (2021)
  • Fully qualified and registered NCT Antenatal Teacher - Licence to Practice (2021)
  • Qualified NCT Birth Doula, University of Worcester (2021)
  • Certified Younique Postnatal Doula (2021)

Practicalities

Deborah will provide support by:

  • Offering an initial meeting so you can decide if she is the right doula to support you. There will be no obligation to proceed. 
  • Meeting with you twice before the birth of your baby so we can get to know each other. She will use this time to answer any questions, help you to feel prepared and to understand how you would like to be supported during your labour and birth.            
  • Being available by text, phone or email during your pregnancy.
  • Being on call 24/7, ten days before your due date and until your baby is born. 
  • Staying with you throughout your labour and birth. 
  • Providing one postnatal visit, meeting with you after the birth of your baby and giving you the opportunity to talk through your birth experience and discuss any other support you may need. 
NCT Membership

NCT Membership

Become an NCT member and join a community of new parents, all experiencing pregnancy, birth and early parenthood together.

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