Testimonials

I think that especially in Northern Ireland the conversation is more likely to be ‘have you thought about having a doula?’ as many people are still not familiar with the idea and the associated benefits. I would strongly encourage anyone to have a doula involved in their birth. I think that it dramatically reduced my fear and anxiety, contributes to fewer clinical interventions and transforms the role of the father. Dads attending births is still relatively new but there is really very little support to equip them with the skills and knowledge to undertake the role of birth partner confidently and therefore it can be a traumatic event for them. I think that Anne was a major source of encouragement and confidence to both of us.

Anne is much more than a doula. Anne provided me with postnatal support that I literally could not have done without. From the very first days and weeks she was one of the only people I could really relax with and felt secure enough to leave the baby with in order to get some sleep during the day or have a shower. The bond she created with us is incredibly special.

My baby is now 15 months old. Anne is now a great friend and when she last came to visit, the enormous smile and welcome that little Katie gave her was just spectacular, even though as we’d been away, she hadn’t seen her in a few months. Anne then proceeded to rock 15 month old baba to sleep whilst humming a little song to her that she sang to her when she was days old. No one else on this planet can rock this babby to sleep, including her mama, as she is nearly always breastfed to sleep! To me it just proved that very special bond Katie has with Anne. Katie felt safe, secure and relaxed enough to sleep in Anne’s arms, despite not seeing her for a few months.

We will forever love our ‘Auntie’ Anne!

My husband and I signed up to complete a 5-week course focused on Hypnobirthing with Anne as she had been highly recommended to us by a few friends.

We are both so glad we listened and followed through as we learnt so much as first time parents and were fully informed of our choices and what to expect in terms of labour, pain relief, interventions etc. It was a great 5 weeks, and we looked forward to our Tuesday evening sessions, particularly the relaxing meditation at the end as it was great practice for what lay ahead. After completing the course we continued practising the skills that Anne had taught us, continued to develop our positive mindset so we could hopefully experience the birth as we had planned it. Overall, I had the most incredible birthing experience at the RVH in the Active Birthing Centre, which was hugely impacted by our experience and knowledge gained from Anne. My husband was confident every step of the way and gave me the support I needed throughout, this was as a result of him learning so much from Anne.

We both highly recommend hypnobirthing and Anne as her knowledge, skills and tips a long the way led us to having our son in the most beautiful way. An experience we will never forget and look forward to hopefully experiencing again in the future. Thank you, Anne!

The service Anne provided throughout the pregnancy and during birth was wonderful. She was very supportive of our birth wishes and took the time to thoroughly read and discuss our birth plan, which was very reassuring for both my partner and myself.

Being the Father during pregnancy and birth can be stressful for its own reasons. This was our third pregnancy and our second home birth. From our first meeting with Anne she was at pains to ensure our birth experience was as rewarding for me as it was my partner.
The birth experience itself was beautiful, and in no small part to Anne’s ability as a Doula. Her thorough knowledge of our birth plan meant that when things became more involved, we had someone with the experience to remember those key points.

After the birth Anne ensured that my partner, our new-born daughter and myself spent the first hour together alone. It was one of the most fulfilling experiences I have ever had and a memory I will always cherish.

I have Anne to thank for that.

I felt safe with Anne right from the off. She was recommended to me through another doula I went to school with and after a previous traumatic emcs I really needed a professional I could trust.

On the big day she intuitively knew when to be there and when to make the decision to go home to give me a break for a sleep when early labour progressed quite slowly. She knew when to melt into the background to give us our space when we needed it. It was great to have her help me make the decision to go to the hospital at the right time. She gave me the confidence to make the decisions when I needed to. She was great at reminding me to do the things I’d planned to do in my birth wishes plan. She also had good relaxation and painkilling skills up her sleeve!

It was such a comfort to know I had back up both at home and in the hospital, and that we weren’t alone in our endeavours to have a normal, natural birth after a caesarean. We were successful against the odds (malpostioned baby, slightly stalled labour) and Anne was fundamental in helping us create the right ambience for the job. Thank you Anne!

My first delivery wasn’t ideal, leaving me with deep fears, anxiety and concerns about how the birth of baby number two would go, which caused me alot of stress throughout the early part of my second pregnancy.  That is until I met Anne, she helped alleviate my fears, helped me feel listened to, cared about and assured that this time things would be better and positive.  And indeed she was right.  Anne supported myself and my husband throughout my labour and helped me have a positive, empowering natural birth, the birth I had always hoped to have had the first time round.  She made me feel safe from the minute we arrived at the hospital, she asked all the right questions on my behalf, whilst maintaining a respectful and professional manner with all the midwives, doctors, etc, with whom we came into contact with.  She supported both myself and my husband in the delivery room, and kept everything upbeat and relaxed, which I am so grateful for!  I am so pleased to have had her at the birth and would recommend her highly!  You couldn’t get a nicer lady or a more fantastic doula and I will forever be grateful for her being there with us on the birth of our son.

First time mother and so glad I made the decision to have a doula.  Honestly, I could not imagine going through my labour without Anne.  My birth plan changed massively once I arrived at the hospital and everything I was afraid of happening happened.  But I was so grateful Anne was there.  She kept my anxiety at bay and walked me through everything that was happening around me and kept me calm and relaxed.  She has made what I would have believed to be a traumatic birth otherwise into a special moment that I will never forget.  Would highly recommend!

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.

I’m so thankful for Anne’s support during my pregnancy. She was so supportive to me privately as well as helping me get the midwives to listen and take my concerns seriously. My experience of pregnancy was not great but Anne made a very difficult time that much more manageable. 

Anne visited me a couple of times, always taking her time to listen and getting to know my expectations.  She was very understanding with regards to my first experience at childbirth.  All I wanted was to have someone listening to my fears and wishes.  Anne was creative and supportive throughout the stages of labour.  Her emotional support was essential for me to have a great birth.  Anne was ever so sweet and discreet, letting me know she was right there if I needed her, but at the same time allowing space to bond with my baby. It’s been a wonderful experience from the first day!  If Anne is available she will definitely be my doula again.

Anne is an experienced mother, a caring, gentle, good-natured woman who absolutely loves her occupation, taking her time to fully listen to and support a mum-to-be’s wishes.  With her skilled knowledge on pain relief methods, she know exactly what to use and when to act, showing confidence and empathy all the time.

If someone asked me about the benefits of using a doula, I’d tell them about my positive experience, and how the presence of a doula can change the whole scenario and idea of childbirth.