Testimonials

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.

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.

This was my fourth baby, my second VBAC and the first one to have a doula, and Anne was exactly what I was looking for.  I wanted a natural birth – as natural as I could get, as I had to have my baby in the hospital.  We were very comfortable with Anne from the first time we met.  She gave us alot of information that we didn’t know; about my rights, and natural ways to deliver, and cope with labour.

While in labour, Anne just said and did everything I needed her to do.  I had the quick natural drug-free birth that I wanted.  We would highly recommend Anne to anyone who was considering employing a doula.

I am a 41 year old first time mother and gave birth to my baby in Belfast, which is not my home city. My mother was my birth partner and I chose Anne as my Doula as my baby would be the sixtieth birth that she had attended and she had had three children herself so I knew I would benefit from her experience in something I was experiencing for the first time.

I first chatted to Anne by phone to discuss how I hoped my birth would be and the support that I would like to receive from her.  Anne then sent me lots of materials, including sample birth preferences and information on hypnobirthing.  These were very useful in helping me to think about the different aspects of birth and to consider decisions that I might have to make before and during the birth and to prepare my mind for a calm birth.

I met Anne twice before the birth – and she helped me prepare further for example by teaching me about the physical processes of a normal birth and hypnobirthing techniques. Anne adapted these sessions to fit my needs and to supplement what I had learned at other antenatal classes.  She also gave me practical help – even taking me to the hospital during my first session when I was worried about my baby’s movements and printing my birth preferences as I didn’t have a printer. 

On the night I gave birth Anne took me to the hospital at 2am and she was so calm and professional and worked confidently and respectfully alongside the hospital staff and my mother. This made me feel that I had a united and expert team looking after and supporting me.  When needed Anne gave me gentle prompts and reminders of the breathing techniques which helped me through contractions and she supported me when I needed to make urgent decisions about deviations from my birth plan. She was encouraging and calm throughout. As a result, although many aspects of my birth did not go in accordance with my plan, with hindsight I would not have changed anything, even if I had more time to make my decisions. 

My beautiful baby boy arrived at 4.41am and Anne stayed with us while he did the breast crawl to reach my breast and have his first feed and until we had feeding established. 

A few days later Anne visited again so I could chat about the birth and we could share the lovely ‘groaning cake’ that she had brought – just one of the lovely personal touches that make Anne a wonderful doula, particularly for a first time mother.

I was birth partner for my daughter, Rachel, who had her first baby in Belfast.  Anne’s presence made the whole experience a great joy for us both.  She greatly contributed to the calm environment during the short labour. Together with the attentive care of doctors and midwives a healthy happy boy was born and now 3 weeks old he is enjoying his new surroundings! Thank you again,  Anne.  

I hadn’t heard of doulas until I was listening to a podcast after my first, very traumatic experience of birth. When I found out I was pregnant again one year later, I knew I would need the emotional support and security of having a Doula. I contacted Anne early in my pregnancy and was immediately struck by her deep knowledge and passion about birth. I decided to deliver in the Active Birthing Centre at the Royal hoping that we would be able to create a beautiful calm space for birthing my second baby. We also opted to do the hypnobirthing course to help prepare.

When the day came, I was having irregular surges all day and assumed it was early labour – that evening my waters broke and we called Anne. Soon after she arrived, I started trying to get ready to go to the hospital but once I changed positions things started moving very quickly and I could feel the baby moving down. I wasn’t going anywhere! Anne began helping me through surges which were right on top of each other and my husband left the room to ring the ambulance. A few minutes later my daughter was born. I was in complete shock but Anne reassured us that everything was fine and was able to guide us through the next steps after birth until the ambulance arrived. Anne turned what otherwise would have been a terrifying experience into a beautiful moment that I will always cherish. After the birth we were able to get a full golden hour with our baby in my own bed and started feeding within the first half hour.  

I had hoped for a drug-free, natural birth but wasn’t sure if I would be able to do it – the emotional support provided by a doula is the most powerful drug I have experienced, without the side-effects! I couldn’t recommend Anne more. She has a wonderful calm, reassuring presence and is very knowledgeable about all aspects of birth.

Anne is calm and confident.  I knew that if my anxiety crept in, her calmness would be what I needed.  I knew that if I started to feel like I was losing control or started doubting myself, she would give me confidence.  I knew I could rely on her to see beyond policy and procedure so she could ensure I had all the information, risks, benefits and alternatives to make fully informed choices that were right for me and my baby.  She was able to pick up what my triggers were so she could step in to support me.  She was not only understanding of my wishes, but was able to adapt and support them as my birth plans and environment changed.  I loved having her to be a part of my daughter’s birth. 

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 

Having Anne as our doula genuinely changed our experience of pregnancy and birth.  From the first contact to the birth itself we felt completely comfortable with her, she truly went above and beyond to be available and supportive. She ‘got’ what we needed and we felt that however the birth went, we were in a much stronger place having her there with us.

My first birth was a very difficult experience for us and left me deeply anxious and worried in my next pregnancies. Despite a calm birth at home with our second child, I still found preparing for birth a third time stressful, so we considered finding a doula for the first time. Anne really understood where we were coming from and immediately had practical suggestions to support us through the pregnancy.

During the birth itself she kept me calm through a rapid labour, and remembered and reminded the midwives of my wishes discreetly. It made a whole hour with just us and our baby possible after our daughter’s birth, and will always be one of my happiest memories.
I wholeheartedly recommend her – whether it’s your first or fourth and wherever/however you hope to give birth having someone like Anne to support you makes such a difference. 

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!