"Newborns are my drug of choice"
Jani Wittaker
Birth Doula
35 years
Post Natal Doula
25 years
Prenatal Teacher
23 years
TCM post graduate Paediatrics diploma
2005
A career steeped in having healthy babies
I have been a doula for over 35 years,
and, of all my life experiences
attending birthing is without doubt the absolute icing on my cake.
and, of all my life experiences
attending birthing is without doubt the absolute icing on my cake.
There is nothing so special as a brand new being.
As a prenatal teacher, a birthing doula and a post natal doula I have extensive experience working with
newborns and infants, as well as working with toddlers and children.
When working as a doula my role is supporting the whole family,
and much of my work includes helping siblings adjust to their new person,
and caring for all the children
while mom has a long hot bath with an uninterrupted cup of tea.
newborns and infants, as well as working with toddlers and children.
When working as a doula my role is supporting the whole family,
and much of my work includes helping siblings adjust to their new person,
and caring for all the children
while mom has a long hot bath with an uninterrupted cup of tea.
First Aid & Background Check
In October 2023 I completed
the Canadian Red Cross First Aid & CPR course
including infant CPR.
the Canadian Red Cross First Aid & CPR course
including infant CPR.
As a condition of practice in the UK
I have held first aid Health & Safety at Work certificates (4 day course)
since 1998,
renewed every 4 years as per my licensing requirements.
I have held first aid Health & Safety at Work certificates (4 day course)
since 1998,
renewed every 4 years as per my licensing requirements.
As a condition of employment at BCC (May '23),
and for the
Ministry of Children and Family Development (Sept 2020),
I have had recent
RCMP Criminal Background Checks.
and for the
Ministry of Children and Family Development (Sept 2020),
I have had recent
RCMP Criminal Background Checks.
Trained by experts since 1990
My training has been par excellence, primarily with Sheila Kitzinger and Michel Odent,
two of the biggest names in the European birth-education world.
two of the biggest names in the European birth-education world.
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The main body of my training was with the Oxfordshire Community Midwifery Teams,
and I have 3 decades experience of
home births,
community hospital,
main hospital,
and high risk births.
My other most influential teacher is
Ina May Gaskin,
the grandmother of midwifery in America.
Ina May Gaskin,
the grandmother of midwifery in America.
Her hollistic approach to 'normal physiologic birth'
underpins the teachings of Kitzinger and Odent,
and takes it to a level of practice that is my inspiration.
underpins the teachings of Kitzinger and Odent,
and takes it to a level of practice that is my inspiration.
'Permisson to Practice' in UK hospitals
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As a specialist obstetric acupuncturist
I have held honorary contracts at both the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford (17 years), and at the Portland Hospital for Women and Children
in London (13 years). |
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Doula Qualification
As a Doula UK registered practitioner we have hospital admitting rights throughout the UK.
The doula training in the UK is far more rigorous than in the US or Canada,
taking up to 1 year to complete the coursework and practicum.
Our professional body, Doula UK, maintains the highest standards
of training and has annual requirement for continuing education units (CEU).
taking up to 1 year to complete the coursework and practicum.
Our professional body, Doula UK, maintains the highest standards
of training and has annual requirement for continuing education units (CEU).
The essential component to being a good doula
is the capacity to entirely flow with
the parent's choices and decisions.
It is an ingrained aspect of my work ethic,
to always be guided by how the parents wish their child to be cared for,
and to in all ways meet those expectations.
Based in a Western medical office
I have extensive experience of pregnancy, childbirth and neonatal care, both as a doula and a Chinese medicine practitioner.
My obstetric and paediatric acupuncture practice has been based in a western medical obstetric practice since 2006, in the private Harley St. offices of Mr Donald Gibb FROGC (now retired),
a renown obstetrician and surgeon, specialist high risk.
My obstetric and paediatric acupuncture practice has been based in a western medical obstetric practice since 2006, in the private Harley St. offices of Mr Donald Gibb FROGC (now retired),
a renown obstetrician and surgeon, specialist high risk.
Working here gave me an unparralleled opportunity to work with high risk pregnancies.
I have a high level of exposure to western obstetric management,
and under the mentorship of Donald Gibb I have had the privilege of being guided by one of the UK's leading obstetricians.
I have a high level of exposure to western obstetric management,
and under the mentorship of Donald Gibb I have had the privilege of being guided by one of the UK's leading obstetricians.
Paediatric Qualifications
I have always loved working with children.
I have specialist paediatric training as part of my 25 year career as a Chinese medicine (TCM) practitioner.
I have specialist paediatric training as part of my 25 year career as a Chinese medicine (TCM) practitioner.
Paediatric physiology and childhood psychological development
was an extensive part of
this year-long post-graduate diploma course.
I trained with the western world's leading authority
on treating children with TCM,
Julian Scott.
on treating children with TCM,
Julian Scott.
