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The First Path Birth Companion

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The First Path Birth Companion

Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from The First Path Birth Companion, Reproductive service, Midlothian.

The First Path Birth Companion provides virtual companioning to all pregnant and birthing people through support that honours individuallity and is rooted in justice, rights, advocacy and trauma awareness. I am an advocate birth companion and reproductive justice activist supporting the full spectrum of pregnancy, birth, pregnancy/infant loss, termination and NICU experiences of all people. I hold

myself accountable for rehumanizing perinatal care by dismantling systems of oppression and addressing discrimination, inequity, disparities, obstetric violence and trauma. I focus on the prevention of harm, trauma and perinatal illness for all people through advocacy and support strategies that hold people centrally in their needs, rights, decision making, preferences and expectations of care at all times.
* Companion support for pregnancy, birth, loss in all trimesters, termination and NICU - all choices and all birthing people
* Traumatic Birth Recovery 3 Step Rewind Programme (currently in training)
* Advocacy support
* Birth rights education
* Energy healing
* Crystal healing
* Angel Guidance
* Chakra Readings

18/06/2026

Have you heard people say “just advocate for yourself in your birth”? What do you think when you hear that?

Here's what I think. It is simply not that straightforward. Why? “Self advocacy” in maternity care is impacted by many things. The way in which healthcare systems are structured and run, the behaviour and individual beliefs and biases of maternity care workers within them, and then YOU - who you are, your life story, the things that make you YOU and which impact the way in which the maternity care system RESPONDS and BEHAVES towards you. and the ways in which you respond to the care you receive. All of these factors, and more, impact how you advocate for yourself.

Self advocacy requires an understanding of maternity care and vitally, a deep understanding of YOURSELF. This understanding is not a given for everyone and self advocacy skills aren't typically taught or explored within antenatal preparation classes, and certainly not in NHS antenatal classes. And that is where I fill the gap, with educational resources, sessions and support packages that place skill and knowlege building in rights and self advocacy at the forefront. Contact me and lets talk!

Contact details: [email protected] | www.thefirstpathbirthcompanion.co.uk

16/06/2026

A rainbow pregnancy is a whole experience of its own. A journey where grief and joy, loss and new life are held delicately at the same time. A whirlwind of all the emotions, of triggers, tuning into every ni**le and a longing to let go whilst not wanting to forget. I have walked this journey and I see you if you have, or are currently on the rainbow pregnancy path.

As a bereavement companion, I have supported many families going through pregnancy following a loss. Wherever you are in your rainbow pregnancy journey, I am here with a listening ear and emotional support that meets you right where you are. I also have a “Pregnancy After Loss” resource in my online grab and go shop which I hope might be of help to you.

If you need support in your pregnancy after loss journey, don't hesitate to reach out and we can talk about what you need and how my support packages and sessions might be of benefit to you.

Contact details: [email protected] | www.thefirstpathbirthcompanion.co.uk

15/06/2026

🌊 The Cove Pregnancy Support Group at The First Path Birth Companion 🌊

🌿 FREE Pregnancy Support WhatsApp Community 🌿

Pregnancy can bring all of the emotions, and there is no right way to feel. What matters to you in your pregnancy is important and you deserve support as you journey through.

As a Birth Companion (Doula), I know how important it can be to have a safe space throughout pregnancy where you can ask questions, share worries, celebrate milestones and connect with other pregnant people who understand. This is particularly important if your maternity care lacks continuity, feels rushed or impersonal, and The Cove Pregnancy Support Group is here to fill that gap.

The Cove Pregnancy Support group is a FREE WhatsApp Pregnancy Support Community for pregnant people across the UK. You are welcome to stay for the entirety of your pregnancy, and access ends after your baby is born. The community is OPEN NOW!

Inside the group you will find:

🤍 A supportive and welcoming community
🤍 Support from me (Allison), an experienced pregnancy and birth companion (doula)
🤍 Regular themed discussions
🤍 Pregnancy and birth information
🤍 Signposting to resources
🤍 Pregnancy and birth conversations
🤍 A space to ask questions and to share experiences
🤍 Giveaways

I will pop in and out of the group throughout the week to join discussions, to answer questions where appropriate, and to offer guidance and signposting.

The group is not for other birthworkers or professionals. It is not intended as a replacement for your midwife or medical team, but as an additional layer of emotional support and connection throughout your pregnancy.

To join, comment below or drop me a message and I will send you a google form so you can be added into the group.

I look forward to seeing you there!

Allison Tate
Pregnancy & Birth Companion
The First Path Birth Companion

* The group is not for medical advice or a replacement for medical care.
* Emergencies and medical concerns should be directed to maternity services.
* Kindness, courtesy and respect are expected.
* Discrimination, bullying, disrespect or hate speech will not be tolerated.
* Confidentiality, safety and mutual trust are essential.
* No spam or promotions.
* Allison will not be available 24/7 within the group.
* 1:1 pregnancy or birth support requires separate booking with Allison via The First Path Birth Companion

www.thefirstpathbirthcompanion.co.uk

13/06/2026

A comb in your hand for pain relief during labour - let's talk about it!

You might have seen images of people holding a comb in their hand during labour and have been wondering what it is all about. Seems kind of weird doesn't it?! It is a comfort strategy that can really work for some people and it is worth having a comb handy in case it works for you. It doesn’t have to be a fancy comb, but a sturdy comb that has rounded teeth is important so you don't damage your skin.

How it works…

🖐 The comb is placed and pressed on different accupressure points on the palm of the hand, and this stimulates the release of endorphins which are your body's natural pain relief and stress busters!
🖐 The gate theory of pain - this theory suggests that your brain can't focus on multiple sensations at once, so by holding and squeezing the comb in your hand, your brain focuses on that sensation rather than contraction pain
🖐 A comb can be used as a “grounding anchor” along with other strategies that help build a “rhythm and ritual” during contractions e.g. breathing, movement, vocalisation
🖐 Baxie Points - The comb is placed along the crease of the hand where the fingers join the palm (as in the photo above)
🖐 Laogong point - the comb is placed within the centre of the palm. To find your Laogong point, make a fist, the point is located where the tip of your middle and ring fingers meet your palm

Did you use a comb for pain relief during your labour or do you plan to? Comment below to share your experience!

Want to know more about how I can support your pregnancy and birth journey? Check out my website!

Contact details: [email protected] | www.thefirstpathbirthcompanion.co.uk

11/06/2026

“Routine” or “standard” maternity care doesn’t mean mandatory or law.

“Routine” or “standard” maternity care doesn't mean it is right for you.

Standard maternity care pathways are starting points, guidelines and options to be discussed - not rules you must follow.

You have the right to question, pause, decline or choose differently based on your individual needs and preferences. You have a right to be heard and for your individual requests to be respected, unless clear evidence can be given as to why your requests cannot be met.

Maternity Care should be responsive to you, not something you’re expected to fit into.

Want to know more about how I can support your pregnancy and birth journey? Check out my website!

Contact details: [email protected] | www.thefirstpathbirthcompanion.co.uk

08/06/2026

Have you recently had an antenatal appointment that left you feeling unheard, frustrated or upset? Did you find it difficult to communicate what you wanted or felt pressured into a pathway of care or an intervention that you did not want or did not confidently and clearly consent to?

Antenatal and maternity care appointments can be challenging, often bringing all the emotions. Sometimes curve balls are thrown, conversations with your Obstetrician or Midwife can feel rushed, impersonal or one sided. It is so important for you to feel able and confident to communicate what matters to you in your maternity care, but in reality, within the moment, this is not always easy. It is also not always obvious when your obstetrician's or midwife's communication fails to uphold your rights and it is sadly not uncommon to leave antenatal appointments feeling rushed, upset, confused or unheard. This is not an acceptable standard of care.

To support you to navigate your antenatal care, I offer a focused, non-clinical “Appointment Translator” session, designed to …

👉 help you make sense of what was discussed, how it was communicated, how you felt and what it meant for you in your care
👉 offer a safe space to pause, reflect and to regain clarity, so you can move forward
👉 support you as you make informed decisions that are right for you, in your own time and in your own power
👉 support you to process information, identify red flags within communication, formulate clear questions and move forward into future appointments feeling more grounded, informed and more confident in who you are and in communicating what you want.

If you would like support around your maternity care appointments, reach out and let's find a way forward. Details of my Appointment Translator session are on my website.

Contact details: [email protected] | www.thefirstpathbirthcompanion.co.uk

06/06/2026

Being a pregnancy and birth companion is honoured work indeed, and every family I support holds a very special place in my heart forever, even if many years have passed. “Birth” days are always remembered 🧁

Want to know more about how I can support your pregnancy and birth journey? Check out my website!

Contact details: [email protected] | www.thefirstpathbirthcompanion.co.uk

04/06/2026

🗣️Communicating what you want during your pregnancy and birth does not come easy for everyone and there are many variables that shape and might get in the way doing that (aka you, your OB/Midwife, the maternity care system).

It’s so important for you to know that when it comes to the relationship and communication you have with your OB or Midwife, YOU hold decisional authority and that is LEGALLY PROTECTED through the PRINCIPLE OF AUTONOMY and the INFORMED DECISION MAKING PROCESS. You do not have to tiptoe around, justify your decisions or try to keep your OB or Midwife onside.

🔥 Having rights sounds good in principle, but in reality, what does it mean and why doesn’t it look like it should at the face to face end of care? There is a lot to unpack BUT you absolutely can learn how to hold your power and exploring how to do that is FUNDAMENTAL ANTENATAL PREPARATION.

💬If you’re finding yourself struggling to communicate what you want in your care, and are leaving appointments feeling all the emotions, contact me - lets get together so you can learn how to take your power back!

Contact details: [email protected] | www.thefirstpathbirthcompanion.co.uk

02/06/2026

At The First Path Birth Companion, I want you to have information that supports you to make decisions that are right for you. People say "knowledge is power" but using knowledge to make the informed decisions you want to make with confidence, is what matters and is where your power is found.

My First Path Birth Companion "Grab and Go Wisdom" resources cover key topics that provide a foundation to your critical thinking and informed decision making, so you can navigate your pregnancy and birth experience with greater autonomy, wisdom and self power. Go take a peek at my online shop and grab what you need!

❗️My "Hormones of Labour" resource is FREE ❣️

Find out about how I can support your pregnancy and birth journey by checking out my website

Contact details: [email protected] | www.thefirstpathbirthcompanion.co.uk

01/06/2026

June is Pride Month!

As always my philosophy and support as a birth companion is clear

🏳️‍🌈Every human being has the right to be seen, respected and protected in their identity. This is not nullified when pregnant.
🏳️‍🌈Exclusion, erasure, discrimination and violence within reproductive care, including pregnancy, birth and parenting cannot, and should NOT be tolerated or enabled by any birthworker within any system.
🏳️‍🌈Not only “women” have capacity for pregnancy and birth.
🏳️‍🌈Using people’s pronouns is NOT difficult and misgendering people is utterly unacceptable.
🏳️‍🌈 Far too many birthworkers and perinatal care systems are NOT safe spaces. LGBTQIA pregnant and birthing people are being harmed. Collectively we must name harm where it exists and actively work to ensure the future of birthwork centers ALL PEOPLE.

As a pregnancy and birth companion, I strive to be a safe place for all. All people. All bodies. All identities. All choices. My support is for EVERYONE.

👉🏻(and I won’t change the inclusive language I use if you’re an offended birthworker)

If you are LGBTQIA and are facing discrimination in your maternity care, contact me via my website

Contact details: [email protected] | www.thefirstpathbirthcompanion.co.uk

Address

Midlothian

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 12pm

Website

https://thefirstpathbirthcompanion.co.uk/

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