Choosing Anne as our doula was the easiest and best decision I’ve ever made!
Anne supported our family throughout pregnancy, with hypnobirthing sessions at our home when our toddler was in bed, she provided emotional support when I had difficulties with healthcare professionals and she was always 100% supportive and respectful of my birth choices.
During our antenatal meetings and hypnobirthing sessions I feel we got to know Anne and she got to know us as a family. We all felt totally comfortable with each other. Anne helped us to learn more about the natural processes of pregnancy, labour and birth. Using hypnobirthing techniques I went from being worried about labour and birth – due to a previously traumatic birth, to being excited and looking forward to the birth. What a transformation! (Also, I can’t imagine a voice better suited to hypnobirthing than Anne’s, so soothing)
We had been planning a VBAC at home, which was not always well received by doctors and midwives, but Anne respected our decision and was sympathetic to our reasons for this. She was always there for me when I needed reassurance or to re-frame or re-focus my thoughts. She provided much needed emotional support and reminded me of my hypnobirthing tool kit when I needed it.
After prodromal labour at home for 4 nights (and Anne’s middle of the night support though some of this time), at 42+1 weeks, my hopes of a home birth came shattering around me when I learnt at a routine appointment that baby was struggling during mild contractions and the decision was made for an immediate emergency cesarean.
Due to my previous traumatic cesarean this was my worst nightmare, but I knew what to do. I contacted Anne, I just knew she would make it all OK for me. She dropped everything to be with me, arriving even before my husband did. She was like an angel walking into that hospital room. I felt my fears melting away. She reminded me of my hypnobirthing and I went into theatre feeling that bit more at peace. She stayed with my husband while I was prepped and provided much needed support for him too. She reminded him of hypnobirthing tools to help me during the operation and she waited for us to come out of theatre.
Having Anne there and having our hypnobirthing strategies turned what was my worst nightmare into a positive experience. I avoided the trauma that I experienced during my first (planned) cesarean and managed to have a peaceful, positive experience of an emergency section. That’s quite the miracle!
I feel so honoured to have had Anne be part of our journey. She will always be so special to our family.