I felt that I was safe so long as you were there watching ❤️

/

My labour came on hard and fast and soon I was off to hospital, hoping to slip into a big warm pool and give birth within the next few hours. Unfortunately it wasn’t quite as quick as that, but after having so many obstacles thrown our way we got the VBAC I was so hopeful for and that was an incredibly beautiful and special experience that I will remember for the rest of my life.

I learned a lot about myself and about labour through the experience. It was very intense and not ‘to plan’ but I feel very lucky and grateful.

Nancy, you helped me/us understand the hospital system so much better than we did the first time and how to prevent things becoming difficult with important negotiations. That was everything for a VBAC. I felt that you understood the nature of labour exceptionally well and that I was safe so long as you were there watching. It was so important for me to feel safe through such intense pain and to have a familiar face who wasn’t just my husband but someone calm and experienced with birth.

What is the most memorable moment of our time together?
Remembering to breathe and relax all my muscles at the end of and between every contraction. I think this helped me physically and mentally to cope with the contractions. I think I learned the most during our birth plan session and how you edited my original birth plan and pointing out all the possible loopholes I’d have never seen.

It was extremely helpful to be able to message/call you whenever I needed and get answers about anything I was having issues with.

Oh and the massages!!

What did you find were the most helpful things through your labour?
Probably being adaptable and ready to change plans if things didn’t feel right (for example going into hospital a lot earlier than planned, knowing when was the right time to get the epidural etc). That took a lot of having to be confident in my own choices and responding to the situation as it arose. I think the ‘doing the least to achieve the most’ idea too - relaxing in early labour, staying in the pool in a squat position rather than feeling bad about not getting out and walking up stairs etc. Just being comfortable with doing whatever felt right to me and my body to stay calm.

Did you want to mention anything else about our time together?

  • Massages were incredible! You’re very knowledgeable about the body and helped me manage pain issues in my pelvis.

  • Pain tolerance practice with my calf muscles was so useful!

  • The Body Balancing Workshop together with my husband also really helped us physically practice what we were learning in the She Births course and Spinning Babies online.

Do my fees reflect the service you received?
Yes I think I got very good value for money. It’s a hard thing to put a price on! Getting a VBAC was really invaluable to me and you really helped me to get that.

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

  • Get a doula! That’s what I tell my friends now.

  • Do a proper active birth skills birth class, not the hospital class or hypnobirthing class (or not only those anyway).

  • Try to get into MGP.

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

  • Anna Lanyon for sure! I also did pain tolerance practice with her and a mini active birth skills appointment with my husband. She was really direct and upfront about the pain and intensity of childbirth and coping strategies and I appreciated that. (https://www.herconnectionphysio.com.au)

Lots of love from all of us. x

You really helped me take control of my own pregnancy and labour.

/

My waters broke early, at 37 weeks at 5am, contractions were really light until about 5pm and I put the TENS machine on when they started to ramp up. Nancy was on the phone to Karl as I laboured, guiding him to help me manage each contraction, and she came over at about 4.30am. After sitting on the toilet through a few contractions I felt baby drop and knew it was time to go to the hospital at about 5.30am. My contractions sped up in the car, and by the time I got to the hospital they were very intense, but we still walked all the way to the birth unit (where I threw up all over the hallway). I got straight into our birthing suite and had a very strong contraction as I was getting into the bath, and was worried the baby would come right there, But I made it in, and started pushing, completely unguided, my baby River was born in the water at 6.44am after what felt like about 3 pushes.

I came into this pregnancy with lingering trauma from my first birth. Too much intervention and not enough knowledge left me feeling disempowered, with really negative thoughts about birth and postpartum.

Through my pregnancy, Nancy gave me the tools to understand why I was feeling like I was, and allowed me the space to let go of my past trauma. In our sessions she helped me build the confidence to have a strong birth plan, as well as giving myself permission to practice some much needed self care in the lead up to my birth.

As I was labouring, Nancy provided really critical support to my husband. Thanks to her coaching, he was able to calm me down when my waters broke early, avoiding an unnecessary trip to hospital. Nancy was communicating with him via text and phone throughout the labour, and he was in turn able to provide me with the best support possible. When she did arrive in person, she knew exactly where I was up to, and what I needed to do to get the baby into the right spot. When we got to the hospital she spoke to the hospital staff so Karl could support me, and guided both of us to the birthing suite, supporting me through each contraction.

As I got into the birthing bath and began to push, she was with me all the way, and was communicating with the midwife so neither me nor Karl needed to be concerned with anything other than the birth of our child.

After he was born, Nancy stayed with us, helping me manage communication with the hospital staff and making sure my birth needs were met - including a natural 3rd stage and delayed cord clamping. Postpartum she helped us navigate breastfeeding and managing having a toddler and a newborn at home. She also helped with my toddlers sleep patterns which started to take a turn after River was born, and helped us to manage the transition.

Having her there to debrief really completed what was a cathartic, healing pregnancy and birth experience, and allowed me once again to believe in myself and the strength of my body to create and birth two healthy, happy children.

Nancy did so much for us. We hired her to help us with the birth but we got so much more out of the experience and it has bought us closer as a couple than we ever thought it would.

WHAT IS THE MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT OF OUR TIME TOGETHER?

One main thing you kept telling me was the fear/tension/pain cycle, and this helped me relax as I had to actively think about releasing the tension so I would feel less pain. It kind of acted like a mantra for me as my contractions became more intense.

You also made me ask “why” whenever something was presented to me, and that really helped me take control of my own pregnancy and labour.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN TO OTHER FAMILIES WHAT THE MOST HELPFUL PART OF THE DOULA SUPPORT WAS FOR YOU?:

It was more your presence during those critical times. During the labour at home when you arrived, your presence was calming for me. Particularly when I was feeling exhausted, but you knew it was my endorphins kicking in, you said “you’re not tired, you’re just really high, which means your baby is so close!” It gave me the strength to keep going.

You helped me make the hard decisions which would help me in the long run for example, although I hated it at the time, you didn’t accept the wheelchair to go up to the birthing unit, but rather held my hand and walked with me. It was painful but it was what I needed to get the baby to the right position so that when I hit the bath water all I needed to do was push.

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

  • TENS machine was a life saver. I actually don’t know how I got through my first labour without it!

  • Having a mantra really helped, mine was “open mouth, open cervix” so I remembered not to clench my jaw, it really helped me to remove a lot of the tension.

  • Creating the right environment. I used candles with a scent that I loved, and kept everything dark and moody with a good playlist to boot, it really helped to calm me down and get the oxytocin flowing.

WANT TO TELL US ABOUT MASSAGE?

I got several massages from Nancy and they helped so much, from relaxation and tension reduction in the early days (and the chance to catch up/ask questions/vent), to moving fluid around in the last weeks, it helped so much. My husband and I also did the Pregnancy Relaxation Massage for Couples Workshop with Nancy which has been incredible because Karl can now give me better and more effective massages if I’m feeling tight or exhausted after looking after the kids. Would definitely highly recommend!

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHARE WITH OTHER FAMILIES ON THIS PATH?

Trust your body. It knows what to do. If you relax and lean into the process instead of trying to manage it you will have a much smoother ride with a better outcome. Also, time has no place in labour and birth. It will take as long time to as it takes, and timing things and looking at the clock makes it much more stressful!

IS THERE ANYONE ELSE THAT WAS AWESOME TO YOU DURING YOUR JOURNEY?

There was an incredible doctor at Wollongong Hospital who stitched me up, I can’t remember her name but she referred to herself as the “hippy doctor.” She asked my consent before doing anything and gave me the full run down of the pros and cons of what was happening so as I was fully aware of what I was consenting to. She was really incredible and made me feel safe and supported in a pretty vulnerable situation.

Karl says:

Having a doula definitely helped during labour as Nancy was able to answer all my questions and I was able to give feedback on Colette’s progress. This communication freed up Colette’s mind and she was able to concentrate/focus on her body which resulted in a smooth delivery. The massage workshop was an added bonus as we continue to use these techniques now.

Love Colette, Karl and Baby River

My VBAC was the most empowering experience of my life.

/

A few days shy of my due date I woke up with mild cramping, and knew things were starting soon. After a long prodromal labour and many supportive texts and phone calls with Nancy I found myself needing her beautiful presence at my home birth. She immediately made me feel safe and held, and for the rest of my labour she was there by my side assisting with positions, massage, and intuitively tending to my needs. Because of the relationship we had built during my pregnancy, I could surrender to the process (which was a long one!) and trust my body. I transferred to hospital with Nancy’s words of encouragement in the front of my mind. Not long after arriving I had my VBAC and it was the most empowering experience of my life.

Nancy offered such supportive and reassuring advice during our time together. During pregnancy she helped me work through my fears and concerns for labour which was fundamental in achieving my vbac. She had complete confidence in me from the start, and this made me feel so secure in trusting myself and doing my own inner work.

During labour Nancy’s support was unwavering, and she was there by my side every step of the way. Her calming presence was reassuring as I worked through my contractions. She supported our family beautifully by being my rock when my toddler needed my husband, and I was able to fully relax and be in birth. Nancy had an incredible ability to preempt my needs which really helped my comfort levels during labour.

Brian says:

It was really reassuring to know that Nancy was there to support Amanda through pregnancy, birth and postpartum. She brought a wealth of knowledge and wisdom to her care, and she helped me to better support Amanda during labour. I would recommend every birthing couple hire a doula, we are so grateful she was with us.

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

In the early hours of the morning we took a walk around the streets of my neighbourhood, chatting and laughing in between contractions under the glow of the full moon. She could sense that I needed a change of scenery and the fresh air and movement took my mind off the intensity of contractions.

When we decided to transfer to hospital, Nancy had such powerful words of encouragement that became my mantra for the rest of my labour and birth. This really helped me to stay present and trusting of my body and my baby.

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

So many things! But I really appreciated how Nancy used her knowledge, experience, and intuition to guide me through different positions during labour. She knew that labour stalling was one of my fears and she helped me make space for baby to move into an optimal position for birth.

I had regular remedial massage with Nancy throughout pregnancy which relieved my aches and pains and made pregnancy easier from week to week. During labour, I was so grateful to have massage as a tool for pain relief and it helped me relax when I felt physically and mentally exhausted.

WHAT WERE THE MOST HELPFUL THINGS TO YOU IN LABOUR?

  • I found squeezing a comb in my hand along with the TENS machine really helpful during contractions and this got me through most of my early labour.

  • The birth pool was amazing in the later stages, and Nancy used a cold compress of my forehead and warm running water on my sacrum which was so soothing.

  • Focussing on my breath during contractions and trying to relax as much as possible in between them was the best tool I had.

  • I couldn’t stomach much food during labour but having quick sources of energy onboard was so important for my stamina. I had sips of soft drink, spoons of honey and sports gels.

HOW WAS YOUR POSTPARTUM?

The postpartum support Nancy provides is amazing and I feel it’s one of the best investments a new mother can make. She has filled my fridge with food, helped with outings in the early days, offered support and advice in a respectful way and really eased the transition from one to two kids. My toddler especially looks forward to Nancy coming to help!

DO YOU FEEL THAT YOU GOT GOOD VALUE FOR MONEY? DO MY FEES REFLECT THE SERVICE YOU RECEIVED?:

Absolutely, I’m not sure you can put a price on the level of care that Nancy provides. She was always there if ever I needed her and she truly goes above and beyond for her clients to help them achieve the best outcome. She brings an impressive skill set and real world experience to the work that she does, and my only regret is that I didn’t have her support for my first pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.

WHY ME?

I found Nancy on Instagram, and I knew after our first phone call that I wanted her as my doula. She was friendly and empathetic, and I felt she genuinely wanted to help me achieve my birth desires. Her experience in Spinning Babies, yoga and massage were appealing to me.

WORDS OF WISDOM:

Find a doula who you connect with and who you feel you can trust to support you and your family. Visualise your ideal labour and birth and postpartum and create a support team to help you achieve this. Trust in your body and the process of birth, and when in doubt, breathe.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

Practitioners:

Podcasts:

Groups:

  • “The Village” through Nancy’s Facebook group

Love Amanda, Brian, Audrey and Charlotte

You held the most healing space I’ve experienced.

/

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

You were relentless in your support. I love you for that.

/

Labour started in the evening and was low key over night. I then woke up and spent most the early morning napping, texting Nancy and walking around my block. By the afternoon transition had hit me and I was feeling worried about my ability to do it alone (Nancy wasn’t allowed into the hospital due to covid lockdown). My husband got us into the car on our way to the hospital where things inevitably slowed down. It all happened quite quickly that we only phoned Nancy in the car on the way there so she couldn’t rationalise with me as I was already planning to stray from my birth plan and get an epidural as soon as I walked in.

Upon finding out I was 8cm on arrival my husband and I cried tears of joy and triumph. I swear I heard the “eye of the tiger” riff play in my head!

After watching the film birth time I knew I needed support. I went home and contacted Nancy that night, I thank my lucky stars that she had one spot left as I was a late addition.

Nancy was so gentle with me but fierce with her passion for positive birth outcomes. Nancy had the answer to everything, she spoke to my need to expose injustice and she educated me not only in the process of knowing I can birth without intervention but also supported me through some of hardest times post-birth. Nancy is a born nurturer and her ability to be a presence in your life that resembles a wonderful mother figure, a baddass activist and best friend who is intelligent and understands many perspectives is her super power.

I don’t even know what I would have done without her.

Alexander says:
Nancy gave me the tools to support Em during labour, how to read her body language and understand the spiritual side of a birthing woman. Nancy taught me to use my voice to advocate for Emily and our baby.

What is the most memorable moment of our time together?
Breastfeeding issues caused me a lot of heartache. You were relentless in your support and options you provided. I love you for that.

What was the most helpful doula thing I helped with?
Educate me! I now use the information you taught me and the resources you sent me to help others and that is the best gift!

Also breastfeeding and postpartum doula support. You would arrive and things would get better. You would let yourself in, make a cuppa for me, bring some snacks and let me ramble. Thank you.

What did you find were the most helpful things through your labour?
TENS machine and breathing!

Do my fees reflect the service you received?
10000%

If you were to share words of wisdom with a first time family preparing for labour, birth & bringing their baby home, what would they be?
Nothing is permanent, always call for help!

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

Practitioners:

Podcasts:

Resources:

Love Emily, Alexander & Jude

Just knowing I had Nancy made me feel more confident.

/

I went into labour on my due date, my partner Ryan and I laboured at home overnight (about 10 hours) with contractions slowing by morning. We rang the hospital regularly but my contractions were not close enough for us to head to the hospital. We both were beginning to feel extremely fatigued and my confidence was crumbling by the minute. Nancy came to check on us, as soon as she arrived and hugged me my whole body relaxed, I felt calm and fell asleep finally! We all thought it would be a long labour so Nancy left with the intention to return in a few hours. However, clearly Nancy's visit was all my body needed to progress my labour as moments later my daughter was born extremely quickly and unexpectedly at home in the shower!

Nancy helped me overcome my fear of birth through providing emotional support, educational resources and support to develop plans for birth and postpartum. My birth did not go to plan but I know without a doubt that Nancy's guidance and support is the reason we were able to handle the unexpected situation so well.

I believe Nancy's reassurance, gentle touch, empathy and love helped my labour to progress (perhaps too quickly haha)! She provided me with exactly what I needed to feel calm and safe.

Just knowing I had Nancy, her knowledge, skills and emotional support available to me throughout my pregnancy made me feel more confident in myself and my ability to birth my baby. I also loved visiting Nancy for massages throughout pregnancy - these visits helped enhance our bond and I learnt something new each time! Even postpartum when I was really struggling with motherhood and my communication with others faltered, Nancy never stopped reaching out and letting me know she was there for me. Although I couldn't articulate my feelings or experience during those early days until much later, having Nancy's support when I was ready to talk was incredibly special. Thank you Nancy :)

Nancy's massages were the highlight of my week during pregnancy! I highly recommend her massage service especially if she is your doula - it is precious time to get to know each other and form a stronger bond as well as a great chance for Nancy to understand your body better.

Nancy provided everything and more! My only regret is that we didn't contact Nancy earlier or have her visit earlier during my labour :) Definitely great value for money, Nancy offers so much for women and their partners to help them through pregnancy, birth and postpartum. I could have capitalised on her knowledge more just because she is so wonderfully talented and sooo generous with her time but I do feel I got exactly what I needed :)

Louise Loader recommended Nancy - she felt we would connect beautifully and she was so right! From our first meeting Nancy radiated kindness, warmth and inner strength, I just knew she was the doula for me.

Dad says:

Nancy's wealth of knowledge and emotional support proved beyond helpful during Keita's pregnancy and labour. Most importantly, Nancy helped me become the best possible support person for Keita.

What were the most helpful things for you during labour? I had a tens machine, birth mantras, affirmations, massage devices, fit ball etc but the thing that helped me the most was my partner's ability to provide counter pressure on my lower back. And that's Thanks to Nancy's guidance and what we learnt at the Illawarra Birth Class.

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?: Get Nancy on your support team and be kind to yourself.

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

Louise Loader - Natal Nutritionist 

Louise helped me in the lead up to pregnancy, throughout pregnancy and postpartum. I have learnt so much from her - how to nourish and take care of my body, important resources and services, emotional support and so much more. I highly recommend Louise, her services will no doubt enrich any woman's motherhood journey. 

Zelinda Turk - Berry Allied Health

Zelinda is wonderful, she specialises in pregnancy and is absolutely essential for helping ease pregnancy pains and prepare the pelvis for birth. 

Little Eco Baby - Nappy Service

This reusable nappy service was the best gift we have received! Amazing service - easy, convenient plus a fantastic way to help the environment. 

Feed Mama First - Meal Service

Delicious and nutritious postpartum meal service run by two fantastic Mums from the South Coast. I have ordered these treats multiple times during pregnancy and postpartum - so yummy!!

Nurture and Grow - Private Midwives and Lactation Consultants 

I completed an antenatal breastfeeding course with Emma (very helpful!) and we had a lactation consult with her once my daughter was born. Without Emma visiting us so quickly and showing me an alternative feeding position I would not have found the confidence to continue to persevere with breastfeeding my daughter.

Lauren Whitfield- Inhale Pilates

Reformer pilates was my favourite exercise during pregnancy. Lauren helped me gently and safely move my body throughout my pregnancy, helping me prepare for labour by increasing my strength and stamina. She is an absolute legend! 

Irene Acupuncturist - The Kiama Clinic 

Irene helped relieve my morning sickness during the first trimester as well as regular appointments throughout my third trimester to encourage my baby's growth (doctors said baby was small) and eventually induce labour. I went into labour on my due date and my baby was born a healthy 3.1kgs, take from that what you will :)

Caitlin McCartney - South Coast Pelvic Health 

Caitlin was fantastic at guiding me to strengthen my pelvic floor during pregnancy and to prepare for birth. Our appointments post-birth were essential for my recovery and to help me begin to feel like myself again.

Illawarra Birth Classes

Run by two local doulas this was a great opportunity for my partner and I to learn about birth and labour together. He learnt the only thing that managed to help me during my labour at this class - counter pressure!!

Love Keita, Ryan & baby Manaia-Eve

“I found Nancy's support crucial to being able to react to my partner's needs.” - says Dad.

/
Isabel

I felt instantly supported when I first talked to Nancy over the phone as she was so attentive to my birth plan and wanted to help in any way she could. She was also so positive about our birth journey and I really needed that since my first baby's birth was traumatic. Thank you for being our Doula Nancy! :)

We chose you because you wanted to support us as a family and that really meant a lot to us. You have a way of communicating that is very nurturing way that I found really helpful. Given that my first baby's birth was traumatic, you made me believe I could have a positive birth experience.

I also really loved how the post partum sessions were tailored to my requests. I was always so excited to see what you could cook up for us in the thermomix and spend some time chatting:)

Antenatal sessions were really special as I had a chance to connect with you, my baby and my husband in preparation for our labour journey. I loved the affirmation cards and the time spent to connect with Geoff as we embarked on this journey.

Nancy, you gave me a massage post partum which was amazing! I felt calm and relaxed during the massage and she was very attentive to my comfort level. Infant massage information was really great as well.

What was the most helpful thing I did to support you?: You helped empower me to take control of my baby's birth and to be an active participant equipped with evidence based resources.

What did you find to be the most helpful things to you in labour? : Vocalising and mental focus to be strong and empowered. I needed someone to talk me through the contractions and you helped me a lot with that Nancy.

Words of wisdom: The Birth journey is a unique journey filled with so many emotions form the highest of highs ti the lowest of lows. Nothing will ever really prepare you for your journey, but some words of wisdom would be to accept that things will not go according to your plan and you have to adapt in the moment. Also be prepared as much as you can with knowledge about your birth options. For example active birth, explore home birth, birth centres and Midwife programs at the hospital.

Practitioners/websites/podcasts/groups you loved: I love the Australian birth stories podcast. This helped prepare me for my second baby's birth after a traumatic first birth. The work of Rachael Reed was also very informative.

Words from dad:

As the primary support for my pregnant wife it can be difficult to know what is helpful and what is hindering in the moment. I found Nancy's support crucial to being able to react to my partner's needs. Nancy always kept me included in the journey, and I found it easier to fulfill my role in our pregnancy and birth. Our birth would not have been the same without Nancy. I never felt removed from the journey, but empowered to provide the support I could.

Nancy made herself available to us at all times during labour. She was able to effectively communicate with us when we had low sleep, and had to make difficult decisions. Nancy's advice was proven to be correct many times during our pregnancy and birth. Her wealth of experience was invaluable.

When we ended up in an emergency C section Nancy stayed with me all the way until I could reunite my daughter with my wife. This was a particularly difficult time which was made bearable by having Nancy at my side.

I honestly believe Nancy's support made our pregnancy and birth a thriving experience, rather than just surviving it. Our outlook was positively transformed throughout the journey.

I would be happy to recommend Nancy to any pregnant couple. I felt the care far surpasses a private hospital.

Love Melissa, Geoff, Eli & Isabel

We really can't picture going through the birthing experience without Nancy as our doula.

/

We really can't picture going through the birthing experience without Nancy as our doula. We wanted a natural birth, so Nancy's SheBirth's background and experience helped us immensely in preparing for this, using active and calm birthing techniques including yoga, massage and breathing. She helped us prepare mentally as a couple for what to expect and how to deal with all different situations that may occur on the day.

This helped us through a three-day labour, which resulted in the vaginal delivery we were hoping for, and we couldn't have done it without Nancy's constant care and support before during and after the birth. We loved the chance to de-brief about the birth with someone that was there to clarify what happened and reassure us that we made good decisions on the day. I would highly recommend Nancy as a doula for anyone.

Dear Nancy, I vividly remember spending time together during the prenatal appointments and laughing/talking about our ideal birth over Tim's pumpkin risotto. Every moment we spent together was always warm and inviting and we loved having you in our home. You listened to us and got to know us thoroughly. You helped us start the conversations between us that helped us decide what kind of birth experience we wanted and how we were going to approach it together on the day. You made us feel that whatever decisions we made, that they were right for us.

Words from dad:

I just felt that it was so great to have another person there for Alex in case I needed to leave the room for food/bathroom etc. I really thought it was great to have that extra support on the day and prior to bounce ideas off and to I felt like you were always there to ask questions at any time.

The most helpful things in labour were: 

  • TENS!

  • Mantras, reminding us of those throughout the day.

  • Helping to focus on breathing.

  • Helping us feel relaxed and at home in the birthing suite, because you felt relaxed in that space and already knew it so well.

  • You lending us the TENS, candles and fairy lights so we didn't have to buy that stuff for the 1 day.

Words of wisdom for a family preparing for labour, birth & bringing their baby home:

Towels! Haha - no - Hire a Doula! Or better yet, Hire Nancy if you are so lucky to get the chance.

Educate yourselves, it takes away the fear of the unknown.

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

  • Podcasts: ABC baby talk, Fear free childbirth

  • SheBirths

  • Ina May Gaskin books

Would you recommend me?: Yes

Overall Satisfaction: 10 out of 10! You exceeded our expectations in every way to help us achieve a positive and fulfilling birth experience.

Love Alex, Tim & baby Elodie

Having a doula during the birth allowed me and my partner to completely focus on each other and the birth itself...

/
image-asset-3.jpeg

I felt like a great load was lifted from my mind and all I had to do was be present with my partner.

Thoughts from mum:

We chose Nancy to be our doula because the connection we felt with her was authentic and her obvious care and respect for our desires were apparent. She is very calming and her confident manner was exactly what we needed.

Having a doula during the birth allowed me and my partner to completely focus on each other and the birth itself knowing that we could rely on Nancy to handle all the logistics and other practical matters. My most memorable moment was when I was about to give birth and Nancy swapped places with my partner to allow him to witness our daughter being born. Nancy did not hesitate to hold my hand and be completely present with me, which I really needed in that moment. The most helpful thing Nancy did to support us was advocating on our behalf with the medical staff to allow us the time we needed at each stage of the induction process. In labour, the most helpful things to me were my partner, the TENS machine and positive news about my dilation.

I would not hesitate to say that having a doula increased absolutely increased our birth satisfaction. The care and support provided allowed us to create a birth experience that we wanted and are proud of.

Thoughts from dad:

With Nancy as our doula, I felt completely able to focus just on my partner knowing that Nancy was handling everything else that needed any attention. I felt like a great load was lifted from my mind and all I had to do was be present with my partner.

The care and support provided allowed us to create a birth experience that we wanted and are proud of.

Love Bianca, Andrew & baby Joy xxx

Nancy helped me to find my own sense of permission in the birthing process so that I felt at ease and in control.

/
Luca%2Bbirth%2Bphoto.jpg

Nancy helped me to find my own sense of permission in the birthing process so that I felt at ease and in control.

Thoughts from mum:

Nancy was my doula for the birth of my second child, Luca. I debated having a doula this time around, not because I didn’t think I needed one, but because I was considering putting the funds towards a post­natal doula instead. After meeting and getting to know Nancy, I ended up doing both. Nancy became my doula less than three weeks before the birth. However, in that time we managed to form a strong connection, develop a birth plan and talk through my fears and anxieties.

Birthing Luca did not go exactly to plan yet was exactly how it needed to be – restful, nourishing and joyful. Nancy is an intuitive and perceptive doula. She helped me to find my own sense of permission in the birthing process so that I felt at ease and in control. I was so glad to have her as my doula and my birthing experience is one I will treasure forever.

Nancy also helped significantly during the post­natal period as I juggled care of my newborn and older daughter, with no other family support around. I loved that she would turn up at my house each week and do whatever needed doing without me even really having to ask.

The most helpful things were talking through my fears and anxieties, constant communication during pre­labour, knowing she was there during each aspect of the birth process and that I could talk to her about the many decisions; and the acupressure was really great!

Birthing Luca did not go exactly to plan yet was exactly how it needed to be –restful, nourishing and joyful.

Thoughts from dad:

Nancy was great ­ she was the right mixture of attentive and respectful and knew exactly what to say and do at all times. She's a very supportive person and this was invaluable throughout the planning stages and the birthing itself. Highly recommended!

- written by Brigid, Djad and baby Luca

Having Nancy as our doula made the whole birth story so much more positive!

/
willa-2.jpg

She provided me with a whole toolkit of strategies ... from pre- labour to post-natal care.

Thoughts from mum:

Nancy is a deeply generous and conscientious person and has all the skills and knowledge required to help you prepare for your birth so that you feel confident and comfortable facing it, and handle whatever situation eventuates on the day. We’re so happy we had the benefit of her knowledge, skills, and warm personality to guide us along the way. Even in a clinical hospital environment, Nancy helped turn it into something warm, comforting, and reassuring.

She was deeply generous with her time, meaning we had plenty of opportunities to practice the physical/practical skills needed during labour, and Nancy was always reliable, responding quickly to calls/texts and the emerging situation. I absolutely got value for money!

Nancy helped increase our overall birth satisfaction by encouraging a lot of healthy preparation, as well as the ability to feel confident the choices made were my own. It’s also deeply reassuring to have someone prepared and organised on “your team” on the day, other than your partner. Nancy has a strong, confident presence that’s immediately reassuring. She’s also very philosophically mature while being super easy to talk to.

Thoughts from dad:

Having Nancy as our doula made the whole birth story so much more positive. Even though it ended in a caesarean, we can rest comfortably knowing we prepared as well as we could, stayed healthy and focused, and made choices that were our own. It also helped me, as a partner, to understand more of what my wife was going through, and she provided me with a whole toolkit of strategies to help her at each stage of her pregnancy, from pre­labour through to post­natal care.

by Justine, James & baby Willa