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

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

I probably would have benefited from more postpartum care.

Nancy was such a beautiful presence at our birth. She was so supportive and helped my husband and I stay calm and centered in a birth that didn’t necessarily go to “plan”. Before the birth we had so much fun in our birth prep sessions with her, not to mention the delicious pregnancy massages she gave me in the comfort of my home. I have to say that the real highlight for me was the postnatal visit. After a few days of being in a busy hospital it was SO refreshing to have a visit from Nancy, who did a meditation with us and helped me to feel human again. Thank you so much, Nancy. You are such a genuine, honest and grounded woman and we’re so happy you were a part of our journey xoxo

I choose you to be our doula because we formed a lovely initial connection and I felt safe in your care. Emma Hayes referred you and highly recommended you. I feel that your energy matched mine and that you had a beautiful, calming presence.

I really loved the prenatal massages I received. I felt a bit worried when I found out Sofia wasn't growing and the massaged helped to bring my nervous system back into a state of balance.

I probably would have benefited from more postpartum care. This is something for me to think about if we have another baby. I got so much out of you coming to the hospital once Sofia was born, I would have liked more sessions like that.

What is the most memorable moment of our time together?: Yes! One thing that really stands out to me is when a Dr was trying to (very unsuccessfully) break my waters and I was in a lot of pain, you reminded me that I have a choice and that I can choose to ask him to stop the procedure. It was at that moment that I feel I got my power back, if you weren't there I probably would have kept putting up with him telling me to "relax" and trying to achieve his goal.

What was the most helpful thing I did to support you? Reminded me that I am allowed to birth on my terms.

What did you find to be the most helpful things to you in labour? The yoga we did in the park and the movement that you were encouraging me to do whilst I had the syntocinon drip in. I also appreciated you chatting to the midwives and making my wishes heard.

Dad says: Nancy helped us navigate the hospital system and was a calming presence throughout our time in hospital. She was always informing us of the options we had and also helped to get us out of the hospital and moving around in the fresh air after a few induction attempts that weren't really working. Nancy was generous with her time and always made us feel safe and supported.

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?: The birth of your baby is a life-changing event, and it is so important to be prepared for it, but don't forget about The Fourth Trimester. It is so important to prepare for the birth of you as a mother/ parent and think about what it is that you really need to support you at such a fragile time of deep transformation. Having nourishing food, cooked by loved ones and having a 'fourth trimester' plan, can be just as important as having a birth plan. 

Also, remember that you know what is best for your baby, so try not to get swept up in everyone else's advice and instead try to listen to your inner wisdom.

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

Our Family Chiropractic Cronulla

Really helped with my postnatal recovery and overall wellbeing.

Tales From The Fourth Trimester podcast

The Mother Space Podcast (my podcast)

Maternal Instincts Massage

Angela is amazing.

xxx Annalisa, Luke and Sofia