About Me

I live with my partner and our two teenagers in East Dulwich and prior to becoming a postnatal doula I’ve enjoyed a long career working in the media as an editor and writer.

I’m a former columnist for Pregnancy & Birth magazine and was a freelance contributor to Mother & Baby when pregnant with my son. It was during that time that my interest in becoming a doula was first sparked thanks to some of the amazing and inspiring women I met whose careers have centred on supporting new parents.

I’m the eldest of three siblings and for as long as I can remember have enjoyed looking after people, whether it be babysitting, working as a holiday rep abroad, checking in on my elderly neighbours or helping care for my nieces and nephews.

I grew up in rural Somerset on my parents’ smallholding, surrounded by goats, hens and unruly sheep before being drawn to the buzz of London in my early 20s. I love living in the heart of the city but also love regular bursts of nature. Walks around Peckham Rye or Dulwich Park are part of my daily routine. Pilates, going to comedy gigs, being on a dance floor, (especially when my friend Laura is DJ-ing), tucking into a good Victoria sponge and watching Married At First Sight / Unforgotten/ Interior Design Masters or anything involving Sharon Horgan are among the many things that give me pleasure.  

When I’m not helping new parents as a postnatal doula, I continue to work as a writer, interviewing all kinds of people; from fellow mums such as Claudia Winkleman, Davina McCall, Billie Piper, Kirsty Allsopp and Paloma Faith to comedians, directors, soap stars, famous chefs, gardeners, sleep experts and nutritionists, parents who’ve experienced loss and people living with disability and special needs who have achieved amazing things.

I'm a very good listener, empathetic and pride myself on being able to connect with people from all walks of life.

The Dulwich Doula - Tess Lamacraft

Tess has been a brilliant help to our new family. She is kind, thoughtful, knowledgable and a wonderfully competent pair of hands. She has been so helpful and provided us with a vital chance to breathe in the early days of parenthood when everything was completely chaotic.” Imogen and Ed

"We immediately felt comfortable with Tess and built trust with her very quickly. Like all new parents we were trying to find our way quickly and clumsily and Tess was so helpful in reassuring us that we were doing well and everything was fine. She was fantastic looking after our baby and spent many an hour rocking her to sleep or comforting her giving us the chance to eat a meal, have a shower or get some sleep.”

“The first couple of months can be emotionally challenging and even sometimes a bit scary but Tess helped us manage all the challenges and she had such a positive impact on our whole experience of becoming new parents. We’d wholeheartedly recommend her without reservation.” Hannah and Al


Training

  • Doula UK member, Mentored Doula working towards Doula UK accreditation

  • Younique Postnatal Preparation Course, June 2022

  • Younique Postnatal Planning Workshop, October 2022

  • Nurturing Mums: Supporting and Understanding Postnatal Care, March 2023

  • Paediatric First Aid Training, April 2023

  • Fully insured / DBS checked