What can I expect?

Seeking clarity about your maternity care can feel daunting, especially if you’re unsure where to start, or worried about opening something emotionally difficult. My role is to offer calm, compassionate support and clear professional insight, so you feel informed and supported at every stage.

There is no pressure, no expectation of a particular outcome, and no “right” way to use this service. Everything moves at your pace.

Step 1:

A safe, supportive starting point

We begin with listening.

You’ll have space to share what you remember about your pregnancy, birth, or postnatal care, what stood out, what feels unresolved, or what you’re struggling to make sense of now during a free 30 minute consultation. Some people arrive with very specific questions; others simply know that something didn’t feel right.

You don’t need to prepare anything or use medical language. This is about your experience, in your words, and being met with understanding and respect.

Step 2:

Reviewing your maternity records (where helpful)

If you choose to, after the 30 minute consultation we can look at what service is right for you and I can carefully review your maternity records alongside what you’ve shared.

As a midwife, I help interpret clinical notes, timelines, and terminology, explaining what was recorded, what it usually means in practice, and how it fits with your experience. This often helps clarify why certain decisions were made, what options were documented, and where gaps or unanswered questions may exist.

Records are reviewed thoughtfully and sensitively, always keeping your wellbeing at the centre.

Step 3:

Making sense of what happened

Together, we explore what your records and experiences show, gently and clearly.

This may involve:

  • Explaining medical terms or care pathways in plain language

  • Providing context around common maternity practices

  • Highlighting areas where care followed expected processes, and where things may feel unclear or unexpected

  • Acknowledging emotional impact as well as clinical detail

The aim is not to judge or label your experience, but to help you understand it more fully.

Step 4:

Supporting you to decide what comes next

For some people, understanding their care brings reassurance. For others, it raises further questions or highlights the need for more information or support.

I won’t tell you what you should do. Instead, I support you to consider your options, whether that’s seeking further explanation, accessing emotional support, or simply taking time to reflect with greater clarity.

You remain in control at all times.

What people often gain from this support

People I work with often tell me they leave feeling:

  • Heard and taken seriously

  • Clearer about what happened in their care

  • More confident in their own understanding

  • Reassured, even when experiences were difficult

  • Better equipped to decide what (if anything) feels right to do next

Success isn’t a particular outcome; it’s clarity, confidence, and choice.

A final reassurance

You don’t need to be certain before reaching out. Many people come simply because they want to understand their experience better.

This service is:

  • Independent

  • Midwife-led

  • Compassionate and non-judgmental

  • Focused on you, not outcomes

If you’re carrying unanswered questions about your maternity care, you deserve space, understanding, and clear information, without pressure or assumptions.

"Eleanor is one of those people I will always remember. She is professional, friendly, and truly conscientious in her work. From the moment we first spoke, I felt heard and immediately trusted her. I was completely comfortable sharing every aspect of my birth experiences, and Eleanor used her extensive knowledge and expertise to really understand my main concerns. Her report reflected the depth of her learning and training, which was incredibly reassuring when addressing such sensitive topics. She explained everything clearly and at just the right level, helping me to better understand policies and empowering me to educate myself moving forward. The video consultations helped me feel genuinely connected to Eleanor, and she was always responsive and thoughtful in answering my wide-ranging questions. I now feel confident and well-informed about my next steps — and very grateful to have had her support."

— Anon