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.