You were our bodyguard in the hospital and helped us achieve our wishes of an undisturbed birth.

I woke at 12:05 am to a feeling of wetness and sure enough, I had started losing my mucous plug. This was shortly followed by contractions which developed through the night. By morning I was in active labour and continued to progress with the huge help of my husband keeping my relaxed and grounded, and the running hot shower I stayed under for hours.

Nancy helped us stay at home as long as possible and knew when the time was right to make it the hospital, and she was bang on; I delivered within 20 minutes of arriving and fulfilled my dreams of a completely undisturbed birth. A wonderful start to little Rupert's life.

The major difference you made was helping Rhys to coach me through active labour. He learnt relaxation techniques during our prenatal session and utilised that when I was feeling panicky and overwhelmed by the sensations. It completely turned my labour around.

The other major difference was confidently knowing and helping us understand when the right time to go to hospital was. It was so great to have your knowledge and advice here as I had no idea we were so progressed. You were our bodyguard in the hospital and helped us achieve our wishes of an undisturbed birth.

Rhys’s thoughts:

You helped him feel confident in knowing what I needed to be able to support me better during labour and helped him navigate the hospital by taking charge once we arrived.

WHAT IS THE MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT OF OUR TIME TOGETHER?:

I loved how you weren't in any rush to leave after Rupert had arrived. I have beautiful memories of how cosy and lovely that time was just after the birth.

I also felt so empowered when you had me check where Rupert was to know when the time to leave was. This was an incredible moment when I felt his head!

WHAT WAS THE MOST HELPFUL THING I DID TO SUPPORT YOU?:

• Supported our wishes with zero judgement.

• Helped us to know when the time to leave was.

• Ensured we were given space and respect in the hospital.

ENOUGH ABOUT ME! TELL THE MUMMAS WHAT THE MOST HELPFUL THINGS WERE TO YOU IN LABOUR?:

My husband coaching me to completely relax and surrender to the contractions. This was a game changer and completely turned my labour around, it became faster and less painful.

DID WE DO ANYTHING ELSE TOGETHER THAT YOU’D LIKE TO MENTION?

Placenta encapsulation. It was a beautiful closure for me to consume my placenta and increased my ferritin three fold! It has never been so robust.

IF YOU WERE TO SHARE WORDS OF WISDOM WITH A FIRST TIME FAMILY PREPARING FOR LABOUR, BIRTH & BRINGING THEIR BABY HOME, WHAT WOULD IT BE?:

Hire a doula! Absolutely the best investment you can make to ensure you have a positive birth experience and start life with your baby on the right foot.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

• Acupuncture from 36 weeks

• Postpartum Physiotherapist (I use Sophie Carroll in Bowral)

• Pregactive Pregnancy and Postnatal Pilates program

Love Sarah, Rhys and Rupert Howard

You held the most healing space I’ve experienced.

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Flic says:

I experienced a stop-start contractions over 4 days. My baby was posterior and I experienced very strong hip pain. I was so grateful for the incredible guidance and support of our doula Nancy who gave us the confidence to navigate those days at home for as long as we could before we transferred to hospital.

Nancy was the greatest decision we could have made for our entire pregnancy, labour, birth and post-partum. From the moment we met her she felt like the big sister role I needed - supportive, caring, passionate, educated and honest. Nancy has an incredible way of providing information, but also leaving you feel in complete control of your decisions - something I’ve learnt is so important in the birth space.
Whilst my birth and labour didn’t unfold how we had envisaged, I felt totally supported and still endlessly proud of how we navigated it. I honestly believe that without Nancy, my birth outcomes would likely have looked very different and the flow on effects would still have an impact on me today. Nancy knew what was important to me and she honoured that at every step of the way.

Andrew says:

Nancy helped with massage, spinning babies techniques, understanding my wife’s needs during labour, practical things (ie. remembering to eat), someone to talk to who cared for my wife but wasn’t too closely related.

My love, what is your most memorable moment of our time together?

Where to start!?!? You met us in the beautiful sunshine and had me doing acrobatics off massage tables, you dried and brushed my hair with so much love, you stared into my eyes whilst I navigated contractions on the toilet - feeling more helpless than ever- and you asked me what I wanted 🥺, you shared with me some of the most profound and vulnerable moments when you knew the time was right, (you made me go on that f$%*ing walk to the beach! Haha), you did not leave my presence for 24hrs, you laughed and cried with me, you slept on a hospital couch, you stroked my back in the bath, you advocated for me. You helped me remember how proud I was of my birth and labour and the journey we took to bring our boy into this world. You held the most healing space I’ve experienced and made sure I didn’t loose sight of what happened and it’s importance. To this day, “Trust Yourself” is still written on our weekly calendar whiteboard in your writing….I cannot bring myself to rub it off as it always brings a smile to myself as I think of everything you walked alongside us for.

And the most helpful thing I did to support you?

Maintained honesty. This was one of your most incredible qualities the whole way through. You were always upfront and steady, we knew there was no BS. It was amazing as I knew I could always go to you for anything, but you wouldn’t sway my decision. You would give me so much relevant information, a shoulder to lean on and I knew I would walk away with a decision that was still mine.

What were the most helpful things to you in labour?

• Nancy.

• My husband - we had communicated a lot prior to labour about what we wanted, and he had done a lot of his own reading too so I knew no matter what, we were on the same page.

• Education. Read, listen, watch - do whatever it takes to know all the options you have. You can’t always control what happens in your birth but there’s nothing more empowering than being able to walk away knowing you did everything in your power to make decisions that were right for you.

Was there anything else that helped?

• Couples Pregnancy Massage Workshop - this was so great and Nancy transformed the way my husband could relieve any tight back/hips throughout pregnancy. It was such a nice thing for us to do together.

• Placenta encapsulation - I loved this! Nancy was so quick getting them to me, and super informative about the process.

• Post-partum doula service- so good! Delicious meals, Snacks, debriefs, chats, EC and cloth nappy lessons..someone who was there during labour to share with after was the best!

WORDS OF WISDOM:

Cook and freeze as many meals and snacks as humanly possibly for your post partum period. Like, all the meals and snacks. Do not stop making meals and snacks.

Is there anything/anyone else you’d like to recommend to families getting ready to birth?

• Nancy

• Australian Birth Stories Podcast

• Rhea Dempsey books/interviews

Love Felicity, Andrew & baby Otto

My birth was nothing short of amazing!

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My birth was nothing short of amazing! I was able to have the perfect birth Nancy helped me plan for even when midwives had other ideas. I am lucky enough to have it all on film thank you to Nancy. I will forever look back at it and this day and smile with a warm feeling in my heart.

Leading up to the labour, I felt so in control and prepared thank you to Nancy. She was there every time I needed her. If you weren’t there on the day of my labour I doubt I would have had the labour I did, Jason possibly would have advocated my birth plan but at the end of the day he may have listened to the midwives as they are meant to be the experts and there for the mum.

The most memorable moment was Nancy helping me with my plan leading up to the birth, I felt in control and empowered from her.

The most helpful thing you did was helped Jason while I was in labour. He was so calm and I believe that was from your help and support. You went above and beyond.

I believe the placenta encapsulation has helped my mood and my recovery 110%.

I did a lot of googling and I chose you after having that phone conversation, it was so so easy to talk to you and I loved your views. You were an easy choice to make :)

Dad says: Nancy was great to have her there while Lyndell was in labour, I kept her updated and she reassured me if I had doubts, Nancy suggested a position when she thought that Donnie wasn’t engaged which kickstarted active labour and then at the hospital she stood up for what Lyndell wanted with her birth plan.

Can you tell the mummas what the most helpful things were to you in labour?: The tens machine at the start of labour, the epi no leading up to the birth and my breath and relaxing was the biggest tool I had.

If you were to share words of wisdom with a first time family preparing for labour, birth & bringing their baby home, what would it be?: Plan, plan and plan. Nancy’s words for my builder partner “When you go to a job site you don't take one tool; you take ALL of the tools you might need. Birth is the same!” 

I listened to absolutely every podcast I came across, did yoga, meditated, read and got in touch with my mind and body

Would you like to rave about any practitioners/websites/podcasts/groups you used during your pregnancy or postpartum to other families?: I used natural birth and baby podcast, my essential birth and pregnancy podcast.

xxx Lyndell, Jason and Donnie

I didn't see Nancy when she arrived but I felt her presence instantly.

I went into labour on a sunny Saturday morning. I spent the morning blissfully alone, watching the ocean and welcoming each contraction with love and surrender. By early afternoon my husband was back from a surf, Nancy and Rachele had arrived and it was on! By 3.30pm my boy was in my arms and he was heaven. I had done it and it felt incredible.

I didn't see Nancy when she arrived but I felt her presence instantly. I was draped over a birth ball and she entered the room without announcing herself, I knew she had arrived and relief washed over me. She sat beside me and held space and I felt her support. Her quiet, calm energy continued to give me strength throughout the afternoon. She reminded to fully relax between contractions, which allowed my body deep rest between the surges of intensity. She was always there, with a drink, a cold flannel, a helpful reminder and the most supportive, loving energy.

Later, in the pool Nancy spotted that I had gone from diving into each contraction to holding myself back from the peak of the intensity. She said 'let it get big' and it was just what I needed to hear. So simple but I knew exactly what she meant and so I surrendered to an intensity so huge I thought I would actually split in two. It worked a treat and my boy crowned not long after.

You were pivotal in my preparation - you helped me believe that I could do it and I could do it at home! You basically strong armed me into having a home birth and it was the best thing I have ever done so that was pretty helpful! x

You also helped me with placental encapsulation - done with so much love and care x

Lovely, do my fees reflect the service you received?: Yes absolutely

Would you tell the mummas reading what the most helpful things were to you in labour?: 

• birth pool

• cold flannels scented with essential oils

• very loud vocalising

• a welcoming of the intensity 

• enjoying the tripy high of the oxytocin

If you were to share words of wisdom with a first time family preparing for labour, birth & bringing their baby home, what would it be?: 

• Listen to your intuition. Nobody knows your body or your baby better than you do.

• Hire Nancy!

Would you like to rave about any practitioners/websites/podcasts/groups you used during your pregnancy or postpartum to other families?: 

• Indie Birth course / podcast

• Free Birth society podcast 

• Book - Sacred Birthing

Love Louise, Dan & baby Huxley

Nancy is a multi-talented, fountain of knowledge and goes out of her way to provide a fantastic personal service.

The first-hand accounts of increased energy levels and helping with milk supply were just too tempting to ignore.

I’d listened to other mums’ feedback and read lots about placenta encapsulation. The first-hand accounts of increased energy levels and helping with milk supply were just too tempting to ignore – I had really struggled with my milk supply with my first son.

I booked my placenta encapsulation with Nancy and have had no such problems with my second baby. My milk supply is good and my baby is thriving! Yes, I get times when I’m exhausted but generally I feel really good physically and emotionally despite feeding multiple times every night and looking after an energetic 4 year old.

Nancy is a multi-talented, fountain of knowledge and goes out of her way to provide a fantastic personal service. She's also a beautiful person and is a pleasure to communicate with. Nancy came recommended by a mum friend who’d used her doula services and I can see why.

I will be recommending her to my friends!

My milk supply is good and my baby is thriving!

- written by Marie & baby Bo

I would 100% recommend her as a doula!

She has excellent knowledge but was cautious to ensure she provided a balanced response so that we were empowered to make decisions for ourselves.

We had the pleasure of meeting Nancy at the She Births® childbirth education course in Sydney. We felt we didn't need a doula for the birth but we had some complications in the final weeks of pregnancy and did contact Nancy for advice and information. We really appreciated her round­the­clock, timely responses to our questions and concerns.

Nancy always went out of her way to provide relevant and informative advice to help us with decision making while we were at the hospital. She has excellent knowledge herself but was cautious to ensure she provided a balanced response to questions so that we were empowered to make decisions for ourselves.

Nancy is calm and practical and I would 100% recommend her as a doula! She supported us with relaxation techniques in a way that was clear and unobtrusive and we found that really helpful.

We also invested in Nancy's placenta encapsulation service and the placenta smoothie. Nancy came to the hospital to collect the placenta and returned the next day with a very tasty smoothie and 150 capsules. I would absolutely recommend placenta encapsulation and the yummy smoothie!!

love Alexa