Frequently Asked Questions

Birth Rebel is a fully virtual maternal-care platform connecting expectant and new parents with trusted, non-medical maternity caregivers — including doulas, lactation consultants, hypnobirthing teachers and sleep experts. We're currently running a pilot, which means matching is done manually by our team to ensure the best possible fit. During the pilot phase: • You complete a short intake form (around 5 minutes) • We personally review your needs and preferences • We match you with a suitable caregiver from our current roster • You will then be able to connect and message your caregiver directly from the platform's dashboard. This hands-on approach helps us learn, improve, and make sure early users get high-quality support.

All caregivers on Birth Rebel: • Are experienced professionals in their field • Are independently trained • Are insured as required • Have been reviewed by our team Availability may be limited during the pilot, but we'll always be transparent about what's possible.

Most sessions take place over video call — your caregiver will send you a link ahead of time and you connect from wherever you are at home (or anywhere, honestly). Some support also happens between sessions via message or voice note, depending on the caregiver and the service. You don't need any special kit, just a phone, tablet or laptop and a decent internet connection.

For the majority of our services, yes — and in some cases it's actually better. Lactation consultants often say they get a clearer picture of a feed when they observe it in your home environment. Doulas report that virtual birth support allows them to be there for more of the labour. Where hands-on assessment is genuinely needed, caregivers will tell you clearly.

Yes, that's exactly why Birth Rebel exists. If you're not in London or another major city, access to specialist maternity support can be really limited. Our caregivers support families across the UK, so your postcode doesn't determine the quality of care you can access.

Midwives are registered healthcare professionals who provide clinical care, monitoring you and your baby's health, managing risk, and attending births as the lead clinician. Doulas are trained non-clinical supporters who focus on the emotional and informational side. They work alongside your midwife, not instead of them. A doula cannot give medical advice, but they can help you understand your options, advocate for your preferences, and be a consistent presence that the NHS system often can't provide.

Every caregiver goes through our onboarding process before they appear on the platform. This includes verifying their qualifications, checking insurance, confirming they have an up-to-date DBS where applicable, and a professional profile review. We also ask caregivers to work within their scope of practice, and they'll always refer you on if your needs fall outside what they can safely support.

At this stage of the pilot we're only accepting applications from caregivers with the following accreditations: • Lactation consultants — IBCLC accredited • Sleep experts — OCN London Level 6 (including EDS, BabyEM, NHS training, or Sleep Scotland courses) • Doulas — certification from Nurturing Births, Conscious Birthing, Side by Side Doulas, The Original Birth Connection, Doulas of Northern Ireland, The Doula Training Foundation, Younique Postnatal, or Developing Doulas • Hypnobirthing teachers — credentials from a recognised hypnobirthing training body, e.g. KGH, The Hypnobirthing Association, The Wise Hippo, or Little Birth Company If you don't hold one of these but think we should consider your application, please email us at hello@birthrebel.com.

No. Birth Rebel is an independent platform and is not affiliated with the NHS. Our caregivers complement — not replace — NHS maternity care.

Pricing varies depending on the type of support and the caregiver. During the pilot: • Fees are agreed upfront and agreed between you and the caregiver that you are matched with • Prices already include the platform fee • There are no hidden charges We'll always be clear about costs before you commit.

We want every match to feel right, and sometimes it just doesn't. If you feel a caregiver isn't the right fit, get in touch with us directly and we'll help you find someone who is. Your experience matters and we take that seriously.

Finding the right support matters. If you aren't sure about who we have matched with, you can decline the match. If you can provide a little detail why the match doesn't work for you, that will help us to find someone more suitable.

Birth Rebel is designed for parents who want: • More personalised, continuous support • Non-medical guidance alongside clinical care • Flexible, virtual access to trusted caregivers If you're unsure, we're always happy to talk things through.

Because good care needs to be built with families, not just for them. The pilot allows us to: • Test what genuinely helps parents • Learn from real experiences • Build a platform that prioritises quality over speed You're helping shape what Birth Rebel becomes.