Support During Pregnancy and the Early Newborn Weeks in London

Pregnancy and the early newborn weeks can feel like a lot to navigate. There’s so much information, so many choices, and at times it can feel like you’re expected to just figure it all out as you go.

Over the years, many families I’ve photographed have asked if I know people I trust during this time. Not just professionals, but the kind of support that actually feels calm, thoughtful and genuinely helpful when you’re in it.

These are a few people I’ve come to really respect. Different approaches, different strengths, but all centred around care, not pressure.

PREGNANCY SUPPORT (YOGA & PREPARATION)

During pregnancy, having space to slow down and reconnect with your body can make a huge difference.

Sian Haestier offers pregnancy and postnatal yoga that feels genuinely grounding. Her classes aren’t about performance or getting it “right”, they’re about breath, gentle movement and feeling more at ease in your body as things change.

Jos Smith (The Yoga Doula) also brings this same sense of calm into her work, blending yoga, mindfulness and birth preparation in a way that feels steady and supportive rather than overwhelming.

Both offer slightly different things, but at their core, they're about helping you feel more connected and less alone.

BIRTH & POSTNATAL SUPPORT (DOULA CARE)

Birth is deeply personal, and having the right support around you can completely shape how it feels.

Jos works as a birth and postnatal doula, supporting families through pregnancy, labour and the early weeks after birth. What stands out is her ability to hold space without taking over. She’s there to support your choices, help you feel informed, and stay grounded in what feels right for you.

For many families, having someone consistent alongside them through that whole period brings a level of reassurance that’s hard to describe until you experience it.

FEEDING SUPPORT (WHEN THINGS DON’T FEEL STRAIGHTFORWARD)

Feeding can be one of the most emotional parts of the early days. When it’s going well, it flows. When it’s not, it can feel really heavy, really quickly.

Milly Godwin is an IBCLC lactation consultant and NHS midwife who supports families with feeding in a way that feels calm and non-judgmental. Whether it’s latch issues, low supply or just needing reassurance, she brings both expertise and a kind of steadiness that can make a real difference.

RECOVERY & LONGER-TERM SUPPORT

After birth, attention often shifts quickly to the baby, but your recovery matters just as much.

Bernadette Gilder specialises in women’s health physiotherapy, supporting things like pelvic floor recovery, pain, and rebuilding strength after pregnancy. It’s the kind of support many people don’t realise they need until later, but it can make a huge difference to how you feel in your body long term.

A NOTE ON THIS SEASON

There isn’t one “right” way to do pregnancy or early motherhood.

Some people want a lot of support, others keep things simple. Most land somewhere in between.

The common thread I see in families who feel more at ease is this: they have the right kind of support around them. Not overwhelming, not performative, just steady, thoughtful and there when it’s needed.

NEWBORN PHOTOGRAPHY

Alongside all of this, some families choose to document this time.

Not in a staged or overly styled way, but something quieter. Photos that reflect how it actually felt to be there, in those early days.

If that’s something you’re considering, you can read more about my approach here.

About the Author

Hi, I’m Sam — a North London-based newborn and family photographer.

I photograph the early days in a way that feels natural, calm and honest. Most of my work takes place in people’s homes, without pressure or posing, just space to slow down and be together.

Over the years, I’ve seen how much of a difference the right support can make during pregnancy and the early newborn weeks. This page brings together a few of the people I genuinely trust and often recommend to families I work with.

You can read more about my newborn sessions here.