Testimonials

Anne was absolutely invaluable to us throughout my pregnancy. We heard about Anne through two different couples who both had home births. From the moment I got in contact with Anne I just loved her. Anne has such a calming presence and a wealth of knowledge on birthing. You can just tell that she loves her job so much. I had read a hypnobirthing book and done a free course already but I didn’t gain half the knowledge as I did with Anne’s course. I would recommend everyone to do the hypnobirthing with Anne. Anne really went above and beyond for me and I never would have been able to stand up for myself without her. The whole experience was so amazing and spiritual and helped to create a closer bond between myself, my partner and our baby boy. I will stay in contact with Anne and will not hesitate to have her involved in any future births we may have.

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.

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.

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!

I can’t recommend Anne enough for her ongoing help and support throughout my pregnancy and during the birth of my baby. Anne kept me informed about my birth options and was always on hand to answer any of my questions. She was a great advocate for me throughout the whole process and she really helped make my birth a calm and peaceful experience. She is such a lovely, warm person and I will be forever grateful for her. 

RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THAT WITH DOULA INVOLVEMENT YOU ARE MORE LIKELY TO HAVE THE KIND OF BIRTH YOU WANT AND LESS LIKELY TO HAVE MEDICAL INTERVENTIONS.

YES – add me to the statistics!!!

I credit Anne with the fact that I…:

• Birthed at home.
• Birthed without fear.
• Had an incredible positive birth that was magical.
• Had a totally un-medicated birth (something I would never have imagined possible).
• Had minimal involvement from midwives during birth.

I felt like a powerful goddess birthing my son .  It was so magical and incredible that I wish I could get to relive it again.
I highly recommend Anne (and do to many) for her Doula qualities, hypnobirthing course and for being such a genuinely lovely amazing person.
Anne gave me the birthing experience I could only have dreamed of and we shall always be so grateful to her.
She is so incredibly knowledgeable, supportive, caring, nurturing and a great advocate for women.  
I experienced a lot of opposition from medics regards birthing at home.  If I had not had Anne’s support I would not have had the confidence to push through on having a home birth.  Anne was always able to centre me and be my calm when I wobbled.  
Anne did so much for me:

• Trained me in hypnobirthing (truly amazing, amazing, amazing)
• Developed my knowledge
• Developed my skills
• Gave me confidence
• Helped de-stress me
• Informed me of my rights which led me to being able to get a good plan in place with the hospital (that was in line with my wishes and which I was in control of)
• Supported me
• Was my safe space
• Championed me
• Advocated for me
• Empowered me
• Loaned me books and birthing equipment eg birth swing, tens machine
• Held space for me when I needed it
• Made me laugh when I needed it
• Attended hospital meetings with me
• Gently and respectfully challenged medics on my behalf when I needed it
• Researched stuff for me
• Nurtured me
• Did fear release exercises with me
• Helped me with morning sickness
• Was always at the end of the phone when I needed her
• Made me delicious cake
• Gave me confidence to have my 3 year old present at the birth and ideas of how I could prepare her  (was so special that she got to be there and help daddy tie the tie cord and cut the cord)
• Helped with the set up the birthing space and filled pool
• Was on call for the birth
• Provided me with hypnobirthing meditations
• Attended my birth and instinctively knew what I needed and when I needed it
• Gave breastfeeding support
• Captured special moments of my birth and us bonding as a family via video and photos
• Called postpartum with lovely gift for baby 

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.

I booked Anne as my postnatal doula for my first baby and liked her so much that I booked her again for my second! My husband and I don’t have any close family living nearby, so Anne’s visits provided invaluable support during our first weeks as new parents and then again as parents of two. She was a calming, judgment-free presence, and I felt so confident leaving her with my little ones while I took a much-needed nap, shower, etc. She was always happy to offer newborn advice when I asked—not to mention all her extra gestures like bringing us food and offering to make us lunch. Don’t hesitate to book Anne as your postnatal doula!

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 feel very grateful to have had Anne’s presence at the birth of both my children. She is the Auntie I wish I had; reassuring, supportive and the most wonderful cheerleader before, during and after birth. Neither of my births panned out how I expected. Anne helped my husband and I to negotiate some tough decisions and kept us feeling empowered throughout. My husband was also very comforted by her presence, and she capably supported him whilst he supported me. 

Having the consistency of support was truly one of the best investments. With so many different medical staff involved during pregnancy and delivery Anne was the one person with an eye on the whole. She was my trusted ally throughout and helped me stay true to my convictions. I am so very thankful to her for being part of the most life changing event of my life, for seeing me and holding me. For anyone considering her services I would say whole heartedly DO IT.