EXPECTANT parents in the North East are set to benefit from a new doula and hypnobirthing service, after a local mum of three turned a passion sparked by motherhood into a growing business.
Founded by Manpreet Khaira, Mind and Birth provides education, guidance and compassionate support for expectant and new parents. Drawing on lived experience and professional training as a qualified doula and hypnobirthing practitioner, Manpreet helps women and families navigate the life-changing journey into parenthood with confidence and a ‘village of support’.
Manpreet decided to set up the business after the birth of her second daughter, Ayla. It opened her eyes to the lack of support for women and their families going through one of life’s most transformative experiences.
She said: “Being a mum of three with minimal support, I know how physically and emotionally challenging it is to survive it.
“Sadly, there is not much support for women outside of their brief antenatal appointments with their midwives before baby arrives. Through my business, I want to help restore that sense of support and empowerment, so women – and their families – can enjoy this special chapter in their lives.”
Designed to support families wherever they are in their journey, Mind and Birth offers hypnobirthing and doula services to all clients. This includes pre and postnatal care, a full hypnobirthing course and postnatal doula service, combining emotional support with practical help at home. Services are also available virtually, which enables Manpreet to support her clients across different locations.
Recognising that support doesn’t end after birth, she also provides postnatal check-ins, offering reassurance, guidance, and a listening ear as families navigate the early newborn days.
Likening her business to a ‘village of support’, Manpreet also runs fortnightly hypnobirthing power hour sessions in Washington, where small groups of couples can learn together, ask questions and build connections with other parents-to-be.
Manpreet’s transition from full-time motherhood to business owner was made possible through the support of the North East BIC.
Despite prior experience working as a buyer within several corporate head offices, Manpreet found the prospect of becoming her own boss daunting so sought the advice of experts.
She said: “The BIC has been brilliant in supporting me as I set up my business. In the beginning, the process felt quite overwhelming and I wasn’t always sure where to start, but the support I’ve received has helped me break things down into small but important steps in the right direction.”
Manpreet also secured a grant thanks to the BIC’s support which helped her invest in equipment for her power hour sessions, including yoga mats and birth balls to improve comfort for pregnant clients.
Hina Joshi, Business Adviser at the BIC, said: “Manpreet came to us with a clear idea of what she wanted to achieve and has fully engaged with the support available. She has built a small but loyal customer base and shown real commitment to developing a business that makes a meaningful difference. I can see Mind and Birth becoming a really trusted source of support for women and families across the region.”
Manpreet added: “I don’t think I would be where I am now without the BIC. It isn’t just about the financial support, it’s receiving the practical guidance needed through the early stages, which has enabled me to launch my business with confidence.”
Manpreet now plans to grow her client base by securing a regular venue for face-to-face hypnobirthing courses and to continue growing her one-to-one antenatal and postnatal support services.
The start up support Manpreet received from the BIC was originally available up to the end of March 2026 as part of the Enterprising Sunderland project, supported through the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund Programme which was managed in Sunderland by Sunderland City Council on behalf of the Sunderland Partnership. Funding to continue Enterprising Sunderland up to the end of December 2026 has been secured as part of Sunderland’s Business Support Programme, which is funded by the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority through its Integrated Settlement.
Cllr James Jackson, portfolio holder for housing, business and regeneration at Sunderland City Council, said: “It’s fantastic to see programmes like Enterprising Sunderland, which help local people take their first steps into business, giving people the confidence and support required to set up and grow their own businesses.
“Our small and medium-sized businesses make a huge contribution to our local economy and initiatives like this are key to ensuring Sunderland continues to build a strong reputation as a place where businesses can start up, develop and thrive.”
To find out more about the services available at Mind and Birth, click here.