Her presence at the birth was all I needed. She held the space for me and knowing there was a woman in the room who truly trusted me, my body and my baby.

Went into labour at around 10.30pm, everything went so seamlessly and fast. Laboured for a short time in the bathroom before waking Andrew up, asked him to call Nancy to let her know that it was happening. As soon as I had a shower to relax, the contractions went to less than a minute apart. We left for the hospital soon after.

Got to the hospital at the same time as Nancy, walked into maternity, settled into the room and was left alone to labour. Within an hour or so, after just standing against the bed, Nyah made her way into the work without much pushing, straight into her daddy’s arms.

Nancy was so loving and kind from the moment I met her. She held space for me to unravel the fear and doubt I held around giving birth after a previous traumatic birth experience. She went absolutely above and beyond for me.

Her presence at the birth was all I needed. She held the space for me and knowing there was a woman in the room who truly trusted me, my body and my baby.

I can’t fault Nancy, she has a beautiful heart and is exactly what women need .

Later on Nancy helped me with sleep when Nyah was a few months old and it was amazing support!

Andrew’s thoughts:

Andrew was so happy to have you to guide us through pregnancy and birth. He believes the prep session before birth was amazing, not just the teachings but the way you facilitate the couple to connect on a deeper level.

WHAT WAS THE MOST HELPFUL THING TO IN LABOUR?

Just letting go and trusting, trusting myself, my body and my baby.

I feel like your presence at the birth was the most powerful thing for me. To just know you were there and trusting me was all I needed.

You held space for me while I navigated my journey.

WORDS OF WISDOM:

Trust. Trust your intuition because that is what will guide you through this journey.

Love Amy, Andrew and Nyah

“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

Nancy became my much-loved Sleep Doula...

Our sleep story with Oskar.

We found ourselves a little stuck between following our intuitive and gentle parenting philosophy and allowing our 18-month-old to learn to fall asleep in his own bed.

Having co-slept and breastfed to sleep since his birth, we knew we would need to be held through this process and that some expert guidance would give us the confidence we needed.

Having ignored my intuition years earlier by attending a sleep centre with my firstborn, I was keen to not repeat that again!

I knew Nancy was the person to help us, having a very similar parenting philosophy and a warm, nurturing nature. She helped us come up with a plan of how we would gently guide our little one to sleep on his own bed.

Nancy became my much-loved Sleep Doula, sharing in the joys and triumphs as I navigated the following weeks of settling my child always with positive and calm intention and surroundings.

More than anything, Nancy reminded me that it is possible for children to develop the skill of sleeping independently, especially when given the opportunity and loving guidance of a parent - and even more so when the parents are tenderly held and supported through this phase.

Thank you Nancy! xxx

Love Emma x