Jess Parkins
The Rebel Sunflower…all births, all bodies, and all families.
About me!
My transition to motherhood wasn’t exactly smooth… in fact, that’s an understatement. After a traumatic and prolonged labour, my son was born via emergency caesarean section. For a long time, I couldn’t even talk about birth without feeling overwhelmed. I was diagnosed with postnatal depression and PTSD, and life was a struggle.
Fast forward 3.5 years, and I welcomed my daughter into the world with a healing VBAC water birth, supported by an amazing team at my local hospital. They encouraged me to try hypnobirthing and helped me connect with a Professional Midwifery Advocate. That continuity of care gave me the confidence to believe that a VBAC was possible—and that I could face it without fear. I dove into the research, soaking up everything I could to mentally and physically prepare.
The day my daughter was born, I felt empowered in a way I hadn’t thought possible. It was primal, it was powerful, and it changed my life. That day, I realised that’s exactly how I wanted others to feel about their experiences—understood, supported, informed, and empowered.
I believe that we should ALL have the birth we want—whatever that looks like. My approach is all about continuity, person-centred care, and making sure you have access to all the information and resources you need—plus a little fun and laughter along the way. I’m here to help you unlock your own power, follow your instincts, and overcome any fears you might have about birth.
You bring the baby, and I’ll bring the badass.
Training & Experience
Over the years, I’ve considered various career paths—hairdresser, teacher, educational psychologist, and even paramedic—but none of them ever felt like the right fit. In 2008, I graduated with a 2:1 in BSc (Hons) Psychology and entered the full-time workforce. My first role? A far cry from what I do now—working in the world of incontinence products! I went on to take on several roles within the company, but none of them brought the fulfillment I was looking for.
After becoming a mother and experiencing a healing birth, I felt drawn to the maternity world. A few months after my daughter was born, I joined my local Maternity & Neonatal Voices Partnership as a Service User Representative. My passion for supporting families led me to become Co-Chair, and not long after, I made the life-changing decision to train as a doula. It hasn’t been an overnight journey, but every step has been worth it.
The work I’ve done in various fields, combined with my own experiences as a mother, has given me a deep understanding of the challenges and joys of parenthood. It’s been a journey of hard work, growth, and commitment, and I’m here now, ready to support you through your own.
Some of the relevant experience and training I’ve completed include:
- Maternity & Neonatal Voices Partnership – Service User Representative (2019-2022)
- Maternity & Neonatal Voices Partnership – Temporary Co Chair (2021-2022)
- Badass Birth Doula Training (2021)
- Postnatal refresher (the fourth trimester) – Grace Williams (2021)
- LGBTQ+ Competency – The Queer Birth Club (2021)
- Allyship – The Queer Birth Club (2021)
- Supporting Trans people in pregnancy – Transparent Change (2023)
- Trans people and perinatal mental health – Transparent Change (2023)
- Supporting Trans people in the postnatal period – Transparent Change (2023)
- Supporting fat birth – The Queer Birth Club (2024)
- Doula conversion course – The Riot Birth Network, formerly TBU Academy (2024)
- Supporting Neurodivergent Birth – ND Birth (2024)
- Birthing Biomechanics – The Serenity Doula (2024)
