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 Services
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 Holistic Hub in Copthorne. 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 16th November 2025, 10:00am til 4:00pm
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 the day with a gentle yoga session, followed by meaningful rituals including a cacao ceremony that left me feeling grounded and nurtured. The food was absolutely delicious — all homemade, healthy, and prepared with such care. We were really spoiled!
Maria also offered a small temple massage, and it was incredible. She has such a calming, intuitive presence, and she made me feel completely at ease throughout the day. We also had the chance to ask questions to Chloe, an extremely knowledgeable midwife who provided thoughtful, evidence-based answers to all our worries and curiosities.
The retreat created such a supportive environment where everyone felt comfortable sharing their experiences, doubts, and emotions. I left feeling relaxed, happy, confident, and truly uplifted.
The goody bag we received was a lovely surprise and will be so useful as I move through this phase of pregnancy.
I honestly couldn’t recommend this retreat enough to anyone expecting — it’s so worth it. I’m already looking forward to joining the motherhood retreats that Maria offers. An unforgettable experience!
She brought such a calming, positive presence at the birth, and 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 I wouldn’t have had such a positive birth if it wasn’t for Maria. My partner and mum were also present at birth and they also found her support invaluable. We cannot thank her enough!
Highly recommend to anyone looking for a compassionate and knowledgeable doula!
Plus she makes the best date snacks 💖💫🥰
I also attended her confident birthing retreat where I first met Maria, it was a wonderful day surrounded by incredible women, the ceremonies and activities really helped me get into the birth mindset and embrace everything that was to come! Would attend one again in a heartbeat.
She then ran my mother blessing which was such an emotional day (in a good way!), everyone who attended said how special it was and how wonderful Maria was 💫🫶💕
Maria’s pregnancy yoga session was absolute bliss - gentle, soothing, and deeply connecting. I genuinely would have paid just for the little head massage at the end! Her regular pregnancy yoga classes are also the most relaxing moment in my week I look forward to.
Both Maria and Chloe created such a safe, nurturing environment, and their advice throughout the day was invaluable. Being able to ask a midwife and birth worker literally anything without judgment was so refreshing. There’s nothing like having your questions answered by people who truly understand and care about your choices.
I left the retreat feeling not just more informed, but truly empowered. If you're pregnant and looking for support, connection, and confidence, this is the retreat for you. I’d recommend it in a heartbeat.
Other Services Available
“If a woman doesn’t look like a Goddess during birth, then someone isn’t treating her right”
INA MAY GASKIN
WOMEN’S CIRCLE 🌀✨ (reposting due to date change)
If you know me, you know that one of my favourite pastimes is attending circles, women gathering together, doing the exact opposite that the patriarchy wants us to be doing 😉
I am so excited to be hosting this women’s circle with the incredible @theotherpathinmind - a mental health expert with years of mindfulness experience.
An evening of crafting, connection, and intention.
An opportunity to step out of the winter hibernation and into the light.
An intimate evening dedicated to the soulful transition into a new season.
As the earth begins to stir, we invite you to gather in a safe, warm space to reflect on what is emerging within you. This is more than just a workshop; it is a “pause button” for your busy life—a chance to reconnect with your intuition and a community of like-minded women.
Our Evening Flow:
Settle & Ground: A gentle mindfulness meditation to arrive in the space.
Reflect: Guided journaling to honour the winter behind us and set intentions for the spring ahead.
Share: A gentle sharing circle—a space to be heard and held (always optional).
Create: The traditional crafting of a Brigid’s Cross, a symbol of protection and new beginnings.
Nourish: We’ll share herbal teas and homemade cake during our craft session.
Whether you are seeking clarity for the months ahead or simply a few hours of quiet peace, you are so welcome here. No experience in yoga, meditation, or crafting is required—just an open heart.
#womenscircle #meditation #imbolc #mindfulness #reflection
Come with me on a day (a school day albeit) of rest ✨
Following a birth, I make sure I have time to wind down, give myself some love and care and truly REST.
This may not look like a lot, and of course if I didn’t have children to get to school or I hadn’t been parenting solo, this could have looked a lot different. But it was perfect for me and I’m so thankful to myself for carving out this time and knowing the importance of it 🫶🏻
#doula #birthworker #surrey #yoga
A different kind of pregnancy journey starts here ✨
They say pregnancy is about the ‘waiting’, but we believe it’s about the becoming. 🌀
Our next Pregnancy Day Retreat - the only one of its kind in Sussex and Surrey will be on Sunday 22nd February at the incredible @innerbloomuk
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
From the stunning location to the nourishing lunch, every detail has been curated so you don’t have to lift a finger. Just show up, breathe and reconnect.
Sunday 22nd February, 10-4
BN5 9XH
Option to pay in 2 instalments available.
Spaces are limited to ensure every mama to be is supported. Click the link in bio or simply DM me FEBRUARY and I’ll send you more details.
#duein2026 #pregnancyretreat #pregnancyyoga #empoweredbirth #westsussex
Part 2 of my Why invest in a Doula series? 🌀
If you’re in the birthing world you will know that sadly the medicalised maternity system is struggling. The NHS is stretched and so are midwives.
A doula can be the perfect bridge between the two, giving you a personalised service and continuity at a time when it can feel like you’re not getting the attention you need from those in the system.
I’m so lucky to have known some pretty wonderful midwives in my lifetime and will do all I can to help make their job easier too! ❤️
Contact me to arrange a free connection call and discuss how we could work together.
#doula #pregnancy #maternity #postpartum #birthworker
Feedback like this from our pregnancy retreats > everything ✨✨✨✨✨
Our retreats are not to be missed.
We make sure our pregnancy retreats are one of a kind, empowering, relaxing, joyful, worth every penny and above all - will leave you feeling like the goddess you are.
We still have the option to pay in two for our next pregnancy retreat in February - with our next retreat in the pipeline if you can’t make this one.
Thank you to those who leave reviews, they mean the world! ❤️
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#pregnancyretreat #pregnancyyoga #doula #midwife
*DISCLAIMER - my husband is the most supportive of what I do. He is a golf professional and therefore that’s his passion, and was clearly feeling brave 😂*
But really, let’s start the conversation, because I know it’s a tough one. I know doula support can look expensive, but where do you put your value? If spending £300 on getting your hair cut and coloured is your thing then crack on. If spending £300 on a slice of support in your week for those first few weeks of postpartum that will give you the rest and recovery you deserve, then you crack on.
We spend endless money on gadgets, buggies, sleep aids, jungle gyms… investing in your mental health and maternal experience is not a crazy spend. It’s an investment yes, but I can assure you my clients are NOT ‘super rich’.
We as a household aren’t high earners, but If I was to ever get the chance again, you can bet I’ll be saving the pennies from when I see those two lines to ensure I get the support I deserve.
Spending ££££ on weddings and holidays and then questioning when we spend on our wellbeing will always be 🤯 to me - let’s change that narrative! ❤️
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#doula #postpartum #maternity #pregnancy
You asked and I listened… sort of! 🥧
I’ve been loose with this recipe not just because i don’t really have a definite recipe but also it just feels a little too personal to put out there in the public.
I’m by no means the best cook, nor do I ever need to be, but my food is made with bundles of love and care ~ and it comes at the right time.. and that’s what makes all the difference.
In all my offerings, whether that be a date filled treat during pregnancy or a lunch spread at a retreat, I include homemade food, an offering which comes from the heart straight to the belly ✨
This spinach pie is a firm favourite in our house, however, my children love it way more when their abuela makes it for them though… and so do I! In Argentina we call this a ‘mimo’ ~ an act of love and care that shows the other person how you feel without words.
Have you got any food that brings pure joy and love in your house? If so, I’d love to hear them 🥹✨
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#doula #postpartum #food
Why invest in a doula?🌀
Here’s part 1 of my series of posts where I’ll be explaining why investing in your maternity care is beneficial. No doula will tell you that you NEED us, because we know that you can do it without us, 100%.
But, with us, you could have a totally different, empowering and positive experience, that is for certain ✨
Evidence based research shows that having a doula improves the outcomes for women. Here are just some of the benefits;
- reduces your risk of having a c-section
- reduces the likelihood of needing synthetic oxytocin or medical pain relief
- reduces the likelihood of birth injuries
- increases (by a huge amount!) your chances of having a positive experience
Contact me today for a free connection call 🩷
#doula #pregnancy #westsussex #surrey #birth
Going into our third year of hosting our pregnancy retreats feels pretty special ✨
A day of connection, wisdom and feminine energy to give you the most incredible boost towards your birthing day.
With so much noise out there, come back to listening to that inner guide, meet others on the same journey as you and honour the transition that is creating life ✨
Early bird sale is on until 07/01. Option to pay in 2 installments or in full - as always my DMs are always open for any questions 💖
Link to book in my bio.
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#pregnancyyoga #retreat #doula #midwife
I don’t do New Year’s resolutions, I work with the seasons and truly believe the 1st of January isn’t an opportunity to level up - it’s an invitation to continue wintering, to hunker on down and listen to what my body and mind needs 🙏🏻 saying that, I can’t let 2025 go past without a little old round up!
I can’t thank enough every single client who put their trust in me this year, who allowed me to hold space for them whether that was through their pregnancy, during their birth or supporting their postpartum.
A year full of everything I love doing, I’d be lying if I said it was easy going fully self employed this year, but my oh my was it worth it! Thank you to every friend who has cheered me on, shared my offerings, left a review - every like, share, comment has been and will always be appreciated 💖 supporting my small business means the world and I’ll never take that for granted.
And for those who hold space for me, you know who you are, thank you ✨✨✨
This is a reel of all the ups - the downs are there, like any other human, so if your feed is looking like everyone is living their best lives - I promise you, it’s not the full picture 🥹❤️
A whole day of biomechanics lead by the incredible @theserenitydoula and hosted by the gorgeous @laura_thelemontreebirth at her new studio ✨
This should be taught to every birthing person as a GIVEN - your birth is worth it - you are worth it!
Freshening up on this training because I know how vital it is during labour - it can really be the difference between that cascade of interventions or the physiological birth you and your baby deserve ✨
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#doula #birth #biomechanics
Pregnancy Yoga ✨💖
My next block for the new year is out! As a birthworker, I recognise the importance of movement throughout pregnancy, it can make a huge difference to the type of birthing experience you want to achieve, along with promoting mindfulness, connecting with your baby and meeting other mamas on the same journey.
My classes are small and take place at the gorgeous @holistichubcopthorne ✨
Any questions, my DMs are always open 🤍
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#pregnancyyoga #doula #yoga
