Testimonials

The worst thing about using a doula for the birth of my second child was that I was cross with myself for not doing it the first time around. During and following the birth of my first son I felt lost; decisions  were made that I later regretted. I felt swept along by health service protocols and didn’t get anything the way I wanted it. The second time, with Anne was amazing. And it wasn’t because I was more confident the second time around. If anything I was more wound up because the first time had been so dreadful.

Anne empowered me and helped me to think logically and clearly. She was sensitive to my fears and my emotions; her wisdom helped me navigate those. She gave the right information at the right time and always in a balanced way. She helped me understand more thoroughly what the medics were telling me but also provided additional evidence-based information. Every time I felt overwhelmed her input helped me calm myself and ensure that I always felt well informed.

I had experienced five miscarriages before my second successful pregnancy. Prior to meeting Anne I was nervous about even being pregnant never mind going through labour again. She transformed the experience. I had a breezy easy pregnancy and felt that the decisions made during and following labour were mine. It was such a worthwhile investment. Having those positive pregnancy and labour experiences this time around helped me put the negative experiences of the first time to bed, but I also think that they helped me be a better and happier mother right from the start.

Anne is professional and highly competent, but more importantly she just slots in. Easy to be with. Fun. Considerate. And her presence meant my husband could focus on my other son which was crucially important to us. The only negative is that we missed her when it was all done.

Every woman needs Anne at their birth!! Honestly, hiring Anne early on in my first pregnancy was the best decision we ever made! Anne is just the most loving, soft, caring woman. She is full of knowledge in birth & we felt so comfortable with her from the start! Anne came to our home & did hypnobirthing with us and it was such a special time.  It was so beneficial to both me & my husband and we connected loads and learnt so much more than just breathing techniques! Anne was there so much for me during my pregnancy, especially towards the end when I went 10days over. Anne was a great support to my husband & mum during my birth and was like an anchor in my homebirth! She brought a calm, chilled & positive energy to my birth space & didn’t interfere or overstep in anyway but was 100% all there if I or my family needed her at any stage! Honestly, book Anne if you are pregnant, it’s the best money & investment into yourself & your birth you’ll ever make! Thank you Anne for being you 

This was my first baby and I was very nervous of the birth. I chose to have Anne as my doula to support me throughout the pregnancy and birth and I’m really glad I did. Anne was armed with plenty of information that put my mind at ease and meant I could enjoy being pregnant instead of worrying. At the birth I found Anne’s presence comforting and reassuring and I know that without her I would have been stressed out the whole time. Thanks to her natural pain relief and supportive words I got the drug free birth I had hoped for. I have lovely memories of coloured lights in the water, the scent of essential oils, my partner and Anne by my side and my beautiful baby at the end. Anne also captured these special moments on camera. After Anne’s last visit I felt sad to be saying goodbye to such a wonderful lady but if I have another baby I will definitely be giving her a call! 

All the stars – everything her title says and more

When I started my research on finding a doula in Northern Ireland I came upon Anne’s profile after scanning all the others and immediately knew she was who I wanted just by smiling on seeing her picture and feeling warmth in reading her bio. She was quick to respond to my long distance query as I had not moved there yet and we stayed in touch through the process until it was third trimester and my partner and I were ready to meet and see if it was a good fit.

After the meeting, my partner said, “I think it would be hard to find anyone better suited for us.” And then he suggested that we do the full doula package and hypnobirthing.

Anne’s motherly presence in every way was consistent through every aspect of our interactions. She is highly knowledgeable on all things birthing and incredibly supportive of the natural and intuitive ways that we choose to live by. Through the hypnobirthing course it was most beneficial for us to separate time together, relax and allow for the seeds of knowledge to implant. Once the birthing process started I could see and feel exactly what Anne taught us and when she was present her words and reminders were exactly what I needed.

I could write a story on its own all about our relationship and how valuable Anne has become to our little family. And will just finalize by saying, she is the best addition to our lives through this and we are just so grateful that she was available and wanting to be our doula.

After a first traumatic birth in hospital without doula support, we decided to reach out to Anne and she has been our doula for our second and third babies. Both had very different birth stories and these experiences have made my husband and I big advocates for doulas!

Our second was born peacefully and quickly at home with midwives – a wonderful healing birth which Anne helped us fight for. Her wisdom through pregnancy and calm presence during labour was so reassuring.

Last year, I contacted Anne again to make sure she was available to be our doula again for baby number 3. We were planning another home birth but unfortunately I developed rare blood antibodies which led to a decision to induce labour early and birth in hospital. This was going to make having the support of a doula even more valuable for us.

I was really unsettled by the lack of continuity of care in hospital. We were bumped around between midwives and consultants during pregnancy and I was upset that I would likely have complete strangers looking after me and baby during birth.

Anne helped me feel so much better about this as, even though midwives and doctors changed shifts, she was by my side through the entire labour. Whilst the medical staff focused on taking notes and adjusting the monitors and machines, she was focused on supporting me and my husband.

I remember Anne telling me that I could say ‘stop’ at any time and that was so reassuring. She set up lights and made the room cozy for us, which made being in a hospital room feel so much less threatening and austere. When I declined a suggested intervention, she was there to back me up and make me feel that I could say no and be respected. This was so important to me as I feel so vulnerable in labour!

After our home birth, I thought that doula care was a nice little extra. But after a much better experience giving birth in the hospital where I previously had such a difficult time, I’m convinced that a doula makes all the difference and that every woman should have access to doula care. Anne helped to make a stressful early induction into a birth I can remember with peace and joy.

This was our second time having Anne as our doula. She offered us so much support antenatally which was invaluable. She facilitated a wonderful mother blessing which was so special. Her presence during the birth was calming and reassuring. It is so lovely to have the continuity through pregnancy and into postnatal care and also between pregnancies. Thank you so much Anne, the work you do is invaluable. I couldn’t recommend her care highly enough.

Our third birth has been quite the ride, with a pregnancy through Covid, online zoom HypnoBirthing, to an induced hospital birth and emergency delivery! We know for certain we wouldn’t have got through it all as well without your influence, guidance, knowledge and presence… We are very grateful.  The involvement of a Doula is a decision we are so thankful we made, and feel very lucky that it was you!

I honestly cannot put into words how grateful I am for Anne and the support she gave me throughout my birth journeys. From the very beginning, her experience and calm presence made me feel completely safe.

She helped me understand birth & not to be afraid.
Thanks to Anne, I was able to have the births I had always hoped for, my two water births. I truly believe that without her guidance, reassurance, and unwavering support, this wouldn’t have been possible.

The Anne kept me grounded through every stage, and was only a phone call or text away.
Anne has such a calming energy and a deep understanding of birth. She made me feel empowered, listened to, and fully supported. She was absolutely amazing, and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend her to anyone considering a doula. Having Anne made my birth experience not just positive, but genuinely incredible.

She’s amazing xx

I had an amazing experience with Anne from start to finish. I would not go through birth without a doula in future. From educational support before birth (going through all the details you miss in the NHS zoom calls, taking questions, helping to create a birth plan), to practical support during birth (from ensuring I was hydrated to advocating for my choices with midwives when I was unable to speak), to emotional support before, during and after birth, Anne went above and beyond what we expected- she is very passionate and extremely knowledgeable about all things birth. I feel that the lack of information pregnant women are given actually limits our autonomy and choice during our birthing experience and can often lead to outcomes we don’t want. Working with a doula is one lever to ensure you are fully equipped with all the information you need to feel ready for birth- and that you have someone with you to advocate for the choices you have made and a familiar face to support you and your partner. Anne provides the service she describes but there are so many extra things she does to make things easier and more pleasant for you, for example, bringing us food and snacks in those first daunting weeks with a new baby, bringing little toys for our baby and never forgetting the new mum with bath herbs and special teas. We absolutely loved working with Anne and have strongly recommended her and doula services in general to all our friends. My husband said the two things we would never do without during birth are a doula and a TENS machine! Thank you Anne, we will never forget how you helped us, you really became a part of the family.

From the start Anne was supportive, understanding and helpful.  She listened to my concerns and through the birth of our daughter, her support was fantastic.  Anne really helped us to stay focused. Having Anne as our doula was awesome!