Hello, Im Maria
I am a qualified and recognised Doula and Yoga teacher with a passion and purpose to support and guide women before, during and after their pregnancy; assisting and honouring the process of matrescence. I believe mothers too need to be held, and it is my honour to be able to do so, enabling them to embrace their journey with confidence, power and knowledge.
I am blessed to be a mother to two beautiful boys and want to share the learning from my experiences for women to connect with their babies, honour their bodies, and above all, feel empowered to let go and trust in the process.
My Services
Doula
I have the privilege of supporting women through their birthing journey and during their postnatal period, providing quality care to both Mum and baby, at a time when having support makes a world of difference. My offerings are flexible, designed to suit your choices, providing comfort, safety and advocacy.
Retreats
In collaboration with expert guests, including qualified midwives and therapists, I co-host a variety of retreats aimed to inspire, nourish, connect and guide. With a range of carefully designed agendas, from confidence in birthing to honoring Matrescence, there’s a retreat for everyone.
Yoga
I teach Hatha, Pregnancy Yoga and a Mother & Baby yoga circle, weekly at the Holistic Hub in Copthorne. It is a joy to provide a safe-haven of calm and tranquility away from the pressures of everyday life. I also offer 1-1 private lessons at a location of your choice.
Doula
I have the privilege of supporting women through their birthing journey and during their postnatal period, providing quality care to both Mum and baby, at a time when having support makes a world of difference. My offerings are flexible, designed to suit your choices, providing comfort, safety and advocacy.
Retreats
In collaboration with expert guests, including qualified midwives and therapists, I co-host a variety of retreats aimed to inspire, nourish, connect and guide. With a range of carefully designed agendas, from confidence in birthing to honoring Matrescence, there’s a retreat for everyone.
Yoga
I teach Hatha, Pregnancy Yoga and a Mother & Baby yoga circle, weekly at the Holistic Hub in Copthorne. It is a joy to provide a safe-haven of calm and tranquility away from the pressures of everyday life. I also offer 1-1 private lessons at a location of your choice.
Pachamama Resources
I know first hand just how lonely that postpartum period can be and how having something to get out of the house for can make a world of difference. So, through years of collecting baby and toddler groups around Crawley, Horley, Horsham and surrounding areas, I have created this extensive list of things to do. Click below for your handy guide to the week.
Doula in Crawley, East Grinstead & surrounding areas
I truly believe that all birth is beautiful; be it a hospital birth or a homebirth, it is my duty as a doula to honour your desires and guide you in what’s best for you and your family. I know just how important the day you birth your baby will be and I am passionate about doing my upmost to ensure that you feel empowered, confident and held throughout your journey.
I will be your trusted and compassionate supporter, your female companion and confidant who will always have your back, should you need it.
As your doula, I will…
Locations I cover are: Crawley, Copthorne, Horley, Reigate, Redhill, Dorking, Horsham, East Grinstead, Forest Row, Southwater, Billingshurst, Brighton, Hove, Lingfield, Haywards Heath, Uckfield, Burgess Hill, Epsom, Lewes, Oxted.
“Maria brought such a calming, positive presence at the birth. Her encouragement and tips made all the difference during the more challenging moments. I truly couldn’t have asked for a more supportive partner on this journey and believe that I wouldn’t have had such a positive birth if it wasn’t for Maria.”
LAURA, DOULA CLIENT
Yoga Classes in Crawley
Yoga has been a part of my life ever since I became a young adult, it has held me and nurtured me through each rite of passage. In 2019, with a 1 year old in tow, I began my yoga teacher journey, graduating mid pandemic.
I continued to then specialise in pre and postnatal yoga, whilst pregnant with my second child. Practising yoga whilst pregnant both times gave me a deeper connection with my baby and the transition I was going through. Since then, I have had the joy of witnessing other mothers find that same connection.
I currently teach a mix of gentle Hatha, Pregnancy Yoga and Postnatal yoga classes weekly at the Parish Hub in Copthorne close to Horley, Crawley and East Grinstead. A safe-haven of calm and tranquility away from the pressures of everyday life.
I also offer 1-1 private lessons at a location of your choice.
“I love doing yoga with Maria. She pushes me enough to feel challenged but her classes are great for beginners too, where you don’t feel out of your depth”
AMY, HATHA YOGA CLIENT
Pregnancy and Motherhood Retreats
In collaboration with expert guests, including qualified midwives and therapists, I co-host a variety of retreats across West Sussex.
For thousands of years, women have been gathering in circles, inspiring, nourishing and connecting with one another. With a range of carefully designed agendas, my retreats aim to do just this.
See upcoming retreats listed below or head to my retreats page to find out more.
Confident Birthing Pregnancy Retreat
Sunday 17th May 2026, 10:30am til 4:30pm
Whether it be your first or your fourth child, we want to celebrate and honour the journey you have ahead of you. Regardless of how you may be planning to birth, this retreat is designed to make you feel confident and for you to move into your birth feeling calm, relaxed and empowered.
This experience will include:
• Prenatal yoga • Midwife led confident birthing workshop • Birth vision board creation • Ceremonial Cacao • Hypnobirthing Breathwork • Shamanic Drumming • Nutritious seasonal lunch • Take home goody bag •
Suitable for women from all stages of pregnancy, share the joys and challenges of your journey with a day full of nourishment, connection and peace.
“A remarkable and one of a kind pregnancy retreat. I left feeling empowered, knowledgeable, and extremely self assured following the experience”
JESSICA, RETREAT GUEST
Recent Reviews on Google
We started by booking a birth preparation session with Maria, which gave us so much knowledge and confidence around how birth works, what to expect, and what our options were. It was such a valuable session and really helped us feel prepared going into the birth.
As our doula, Maria provided so much support and reassurance in the weeks leading up to the birth, as well as incredible mental and physical support throughout labour. She made such a huge difference to our experience. She encouraged and reassured me throughout, while also supporting my husband with maintaining the birth pool temperature, making sure I had food and water, providing counter-pressure and so much more.
Maria also massively advocated for us and helped make sure our wishes for a home birth were supported when midwife staffing became uncertain. Having her there to provide reassurance and guidance during what could have been a stressful situation made such a difference.
She also captured so many beautiful photos and videos for us that we will treasure forever.
We feel so lucky to have had Maria supporting us through such a huge and special moment in our lives. We are incredibly grateful for everything she did for us and couldn’t recommend her highly enough!
From the very beginning of my pregnancy, she made me feel supported, listened to and cared for. But it was on the day Luna was born that she became such an important part of one of the most magical moments of our lives.
My labour progressed incredibly fast, much faster than we ever expected. Just as I started feeling the urge to push at home, Maria arrived at our door. Her timing could not have been more perfect. Her calm presence immediately made me feel safe. She encouraged me to trust my body, reminded me that it knew exactly what to do, and gave me the confidence I needed in that moment.
Thanks to her support, our daughter Luna was peacefully born in our bathroom before we could even make it to the hospital. Maria captured beautiful photos and videos that we will treasure forever, stayed with us while we welcomed our baby, supported our first breastfeed, accompanied us to the hospital, and continued checking in on us during the postpartum period.
She even brought us thoughtful little treats before and after the birth, which showed just how much she genuinely cares about the families she supports.
Maria is not only incredibly knowledgeable and professional, but also one of the kindest, warmest and most compassionate people we have ever met. Looking back, I truly cannot imagine our birth without her. She brought calm, reassurance and love into one of the most unforgettable days of our lives.
If you are considering having Maria as your doula, I cannot recommend her highly enough. She is an extraordinary person, and we will always be grateful that she was part of Luna's birth story.
Most importantly...I felt listened to. She created a warm, nourishing and welcoming environment and I have recommended her to all my friends who are moving (or thinking about moving) through this next chapter in their lives. Its a really unique day and I am grateful that I was able to attend, it will stay with me indefinitely. Thank you! xx
I left feeling restored and more connected to myself, which now allows me to serve my family and my clients with even more presence and care.
Thank you Maria and Nia!
Other Services Available
“If a woman doesn’t look like a Goddess during birth, then someone isn’t treating her right”
INA MAY GASKIN
So excited for this! My first group course has gone live 🥹
What if antenatal preparation gave infant feeding the exact same reverence, science, and time as birth itself? ✨
In mainstream antenatal education, breastfeeding is often an afterthought. But birth and feeding aren’t two separate events… they are one continuous, instinctual physiological journey.
For so many new parents, the steepest learning curve begins after birth, in those quiet, tender early hours and weeks when milk and emotions are settling.
The very same hormones, nervous system states, and mindful calm that help your body birth your baby are the exact ones that allow your milk to flow.
Over 4 weekly evenings in Copthorne, we will dive deep into both the science and the somatic mind-body connection:
🤰 Week 1: Physiological Birth & Biomechanics
How baby navigates the pelvis, maternal movement, and hands-on comfort tools so partners feel confident, active, and protective in the birthing space.
🥛 Week 2: The Science of Breastfeeding
Colostrum to mature milk, how a pain-free latch actually works, newborn stomach size, and reading your baby’s cues with ease.
🧠 Week 3: Mind, Oxytocin & The Nervous System
The autonomic nervous system, untangling feeding conditioning, vagal toning, breathwork, and keeping oxytocin flowing.
🤍 Week 4: Postpartum, Village & Connection
Protecting your fourth-trimester sanctuary, non-lactating partner roles, safe sleep, and setting gentle boundaries.
Each 90-minute session balances practical education, open conversation, tea and treats, and finishes with a deeply grounding guided relaxation.
The Details:
🗓️ Tuesdays: 5th, 12th, 19th & 26th January 2027
⏰ 6:30pm – 8:00pm
📍 Worth Parish Council, Copthorne (free on-site parking)
✨ Strictly limited to 5 couples for an intimate, supportive space.
🌿 Best attended between 20 and 37 weeks.
Investment:
Early Bird is £225 per couple (ticket covers both of you!) until 22nd November (£255 thereafter). Two-part payment options are warmly welcomed, DM for more information.
#antenataleducation #duein2027 #breastfeedingeducation
Our last Confident Birthing Pregnancy Retreat for 2026 ✨🤰🏽
Made all the more special with Chloe taking her little babe along for the ride 🥹
Thank you to @theyogayurtuk for always being such an incredible venue to host at.
Bringing mamas together to build confidence and sisterhood will never not be an honour.
Thank you to all of our for trusting us! 💖
To celebrate my eldest turning 8 I wanted to share just a few of the things I have learnt since becoming a mother.
I find myself in this next stage of motherhood, my babies not quite babies anymore but still so little and impressionable. The hard parts of mothering now look different, no more worrying about nap times or how will continue to function on no sleep, but now this is replaced with what feels like more complex issues. Supporting them out in society, bouncing between happy with their schooling education and wanting to bubble wrap them away from it.
The one thing I know firmly by now is that jt is all a phase, everything passes and nothing is permanent - that includes their youth! These days I take deeper breaths when they cuddle me, close my eyes when they shower me with kisses - desperately bottling them up in the knowledge that they will continue to dwindle.
For now, I am still their queen… but I know that will pass too in some way!
Sending love and solidarity to those in all stages of motherhood 💜
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#matrescence #postpartumdoula #birthdoula #birthwork #pregnancyyoga
If you know, you know… 🪈🎶 all jokes aside, I love that we’ve entered the musical stage… just perhaps not at 7am during my morning movement 🥲
Sending solidarity to all the year 3 mums, dads, grandparents and neighbours 😂
#mumlife #recorder #year3 #doulalife #yogateacher
Mother and baby yoga circle is back! ⭕️👶🏽✨
Come join me on Wednesday mornings at The Parish Hub in Copthorne, for the chance to slow down, connect with your body & breath and relieve any aches with gentle movement.
There is no pressure in this class, no expectations, just a circle of mothers in early motherhood coming together and finding their community.
We always end the class with a herbal tea and homemade treat for a chance to truly relax and connect.
Book via link in bio or visit www.pachamamadoula.uk for more information.
#postpartumyoga #motherhood #matrescence
I just had to jump on this trend… maternity style! ❤️🔥🌀
Don’t come for me for the last slide… I said what I said 🫣
#wtf #birthdoula #trending #postpartumdoula #maternity
Mother & baby yoga circle ✨❤️🩹
This isn’t a baby class, this is for mamas - we stretch, we breathe deep - some mamas come and it’s like they’ve been holding their breath since their baby was born. I remember that feeling so well, the being on high alert, the second guessing over nap times - this is a space where you can let a deep sigh out and be held ✨
We have a chance to share and connect with one another over tea and a sweet treat because goodness knows mums need that ❤️
My next course starts on the 2nd of September, Wednesdays 10:15-11:30am in Copthorne - I can’t wait to hold space for you, your baby and allll the emotions that come along✨
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#postnatalyoga #doula #crawley #copthorne #motherhood
🩷 Motherhood was never meant to be walked alone. Whether you are preparing to give birth, navigating the early postpartum days, or simply looking for a safe space to breathe and reconnect with yourself, I am here to hold you.
Swipe through to see 10 ways we can journey together.
Which one is your heart calling out for right now? 🤍 My DMs are always open to connect and discuss how I could support you.
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#PregnancyYoga #PregnancyRetreat #PostpartumSupport #BirthDoula #WomensCircles
Bring the studio to your living room ✨🤰🏽
I know that so many of you would love to join my doula-led pregnancy yoga class, but a busy work schedule, the distance, or the pure logistics of life get in the way.
That’s why I created Bump & Breath - a digital 4-class series designed to give you the exact same supportive, expert guidance I offer in my live sessions, but completely on your own terms.
No commute, no rigid timetables. Just you, your mat, and 30- 40 minutes of dedicated space for you and your baby. 🌿
What’s inside the pack:
✨ 4 x Guided Yoga Sessions: Simple, supportive, and birth-focused movements to create pelvic space and soothe pregnancy aches.
✨ Expert Doula Guidance: Every movement is designed to help you prepare physically and mentally for labour.
✨ Unlimited Access: Practice whenever, wherever—even in your pyjamas on a slow Sunday.
🎁 EXCLUSIVE BONUS: Get my Golden Thread Visualisation Recording for FREE (the practical breathing tool that will help you to stay soft and focused during labour).
All of this for just £25. 🌸
Whether you are a complete beginner or in your final weeks, these classes are your sanctuary. Ready to feel strong, calm, and deeply connected?
✨Click the link in my bio to get instant, lifetime access across the UK today!
#PregnancyYogaOnline #UKMumsToBe #PregnancyYogaUK #Birthdoula #duein2027
Luna’s Birth story ✨🌸
Luna ~ true to her name was born on a Monday (Luna day) on the day of a full moon🌝 🌸✨
This absolute queen handled her accidental homebirth like a champ 👸🏻 and may have given me the record for the quickest birth I’ve supported!
Holding space for her and her family was honestly such an honour and a pleasure ~ and one of those moments where I realise the gravity of what it is to be chosen to be present in such a vulnerable and sacred time ✨
This post has come with permission from the queen herself @fredmaly who gave me the gift of such beautiful feedback.
Show this family some love in the comments ~ 🩷🩷🩷
A different pregnancy journey starts here✨
We believe pregnancy should be a time of diving deep into your divine feminine ~ a time to build trust in your ability to birth, the way you want to birth.
Our next Pregnancy Day retreat - the only one of its kind in Sussex and Surrey will be on the 27th of September at the stunning @theyogayurtuk
This isn’t just a break from the noise, it’s a dedicated space hosted by an experienced Doula and Midwife duo designed to leave you feeling:
🌀 Empowered - through movement that honours your journey
🌀Relaxed - in a sanctuary built for deep rest
🌀Informed - with open discussions on how to navigate the system and knowledge to carry you through birth and beyond
Sunday 27th September, 10-4:30pm
RH17 5JT
✨Option to pay in two instalments available
👩🏽🐰👩🏻Booking with a friend? You both get 10% off with code ‘FRIEND10’
Spaces are limited to ensure every mama feels supported. Please DM me with any questions or book via the link in bio ✨
#pregnancyretreat #birthdoula #positivebirth #westsussex #pregnancyyoga
Pregnancy Yoga ✨
Wednesday evenings 6-7pm, Copthorne Parish Hub - with air con and the best community of mama to be’s 💞
Being pregnant for the majority of women doesn’t mean you can’t still build strength ~ being a doula means that my classes have a deeper layer of knowledge.
We work with the body to create space for baby and prepare you for the birth you deserve 💜
My classes are full at the moment but there will be availability for my September course ~ I’d love to see you there!
Link to book via bio ✨
