My VBAC was the most empowering experience of my life.

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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

We felt zero fear. We were calm and confident.

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Vali was born after a fast and intense but absolutely beautiful homebirth. I've never felt more loved, supported and empowered than in those few hours. I was basking in love, and forever grateful to my birth team for allowing me to feel safe, confident and to have a completely physiological, undisturbed water birth from the comfort of my own home. I still think about it with tears of joy in my eyes.

Wonderfully transformative.

No chance my birth would have been what it has been without Nancy! She gave my partner and I all the tools (practical and mental) we needed to have a wonderful birth experience. We both felt super excited and prepared. To me, it was like having an experienced and knowledgeable friend who was there to guide me through the biggest transformation of my life to make it a positive and ultimately very empowering experience.

The birth happened quite fast and this meant that at one point I honestly thought we would have this baby alone but we felt zero fear, we were calm and confident.

Nancy's knowledge on that day was everything and I'm positive I was able to have the homebirth I wanted thanks to her. She's extremely experienced and an incredible human being who knows how to listen and guide you no matter what your birth preferences and personal/religious/spiritual beliefs are. I'd strongly recommend a couple of massages during your pregnancy on top of the doula prep sessions if you can. They made me feel amazing and a lovely way to connect further with Nancy. The postpartum debrief was fantastic too.

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

Your experience on the day truly made the biggest difference. I'm sure that if it wasn't for you, we would have transfered to hospital or had the baby alone at home. Both would have been OK I'm sure but you were able to help us navigate a fast moving birth while allowing me to stay in my space and completely calm.
You also helped me moved to find the best positions to birth in and I know I would absolutely have not even tried to move and try different things if it wasn't for you. Probably wouldn't have reached the pool on time either!

WORDS FROM NICK:

To be really honest I questioned how much we would need a doula, seeing as we had a private midwife and I felt like we had a decent support network around Deb. Turned out it was an incredible decision to work with Nancy and I attribute a large part of a perfect and beautiful natural birth to her support. She was totally engaged and keen to answer any questions we had, both in prep and in labour. Nancy gave us a huge amount of confidence and made Deb feel totally prepared for the birth process. On the night of baby Vali's birth Nancy was absolutely incredible and I really don't know what we would've done without her. The midwife was at another birth and things moved along really quickly. Nancy took control of the situation without being demanding and guided us so smoothly through the process. All in all I am so grateful for the opportunity to have Nancy work with us, it was amazing.

WHAT WERE THE MOST HELPFUL THINGS WHILST YOU WERE IN LABOUR?:

  • Get a tens machine. Rent one, borrow one, buy one. Just get one 😉

  • Get frozen blueberries, Nancy gave me one between each contraction when I was pushing, it felt amazing and delicious and like heaven between the surges.

  • We're told to exhale slowly but I found that inhaling slowly and focusing on getting that oxygen in made a big difference (thanks Nancy for the tip!)

  • Write down and work through any fear you might have, even the silliest ones.

I got massages - with Nancy - during my pregnancy and highly recommend them. I felt great after each one, especially when things really start to stretch and move in the late second/third trimester.

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?:

I questioned how much support I really needed ("women have been doing this for thousands of years, surely I can do it too, no big deal") but ultimately realised getting a birth team I truly trusted and preparing myself and my partner properly was an investment I would never regret. Bringing a baby into the world changes you, your relationship with your partner, your family unit, etc. Getting the support you need is a great way to make sure this change is a positive, empowering one. It's about the birth yes and having the experience you truly want but it's also about the mother you will become.

More practically, prepare "a trimester in advance" so that you can spend your last trimester preparing for the fourth trimester and what comes after the birth. This is easily overlooked and so important!

WOULD YOU LIKE TO RAVE ABOUT ANY PRACTITIONERS/WEBSITES/PODCASTS/GROUPS YOU USED DURING YOUR PREGNANCY OR POSTPARTUM TO OTHER FAMILIES?:

Anna from Her Connection is a fantastic women’s health physio.

Love from baby Vali, Deb and Nick

Just knowing I had Nancy made me feel more confident.

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

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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 gave me EXACTLY what I needed!

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Hala & Nancy

I have felt so nurtured by Nancy. The lead up to the birth, and then the actual birth. 

During the antenatal period, Nancy always made me feel so validated, and heard!! ...and capable! So so capable of birthing beautifully and naturally. (We did a homebirth).

And then during the labour and the birth, she read the energy of the room and Nancy gave me EXACTLY what I needed: the space to be everything I needed to be, and then stepping in at the places where she knew I needed her. She reads the most subtle cues with intent presence.

Nanc, the cool washcloth was AMAZING ...omgggg.

You gave me space to be, and just tuned into the energy of the room and filled in the cracks of what was needed - so beautifully and gracefully.

The most helpful thing in labour was really being allowed and left to be in my zone.

Dad says:
“The whole experience was fantastic! She was there every step of the way. She was able to cover topics that were needed on many different level. For example, the emotional side of things, for me as a husband and how to be there for my wife. There was a very multidimensional aspect she used. I felt that Hala was in good hands and it gave me a lot of ease.

There's a huge comparison between this birth and the first birth where I felt I had no clue what was going on. The difference is night and day.

Words of wisdom for a family preparing for labour, birth & bringing their baby home:
Trust yourself, give yourself all the antecedents that allow you to get out of your head, out of fear and into a space of love and trust. Part of that includes having the right environment, the right people, and the right services.

Resources used in pregnancy: I didn't really consume much, no books, blogs, websites. My main resources were my birthing team, a close intimate group of like-minded mum friends who had similar due dates, the homebirth Australia group, and YouTube videos of natural births (so I could show Alma examples of what birth could look like).

Do the fees reflect the service you received?: 
Definitely... I think you need to charge more.

Love Hala, Justin, Alma and Ezra

Nancy was instrumental in our choice to have a home birth.

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Nancy was instrumental in our choice to have a home birth. Without her planting the seed by asking thoughtful questions & listening carefully the very first time we met, we may not have chosen the path we did. We were blessed to have a few visits with Nancy coming to our home. We always knew that we could get in touch with any worries or questions along the way. We didn't end up having Nancy at our birth. Our baby boy came into the world rather quickly in the end and we ended up having an accidental freebirth. Nancy helped us have a birth debrief and we were able to share our combined version of events. Overall everything about working with Nancy felt informative, supportive and nurturing.

Nancy has a lot of knowledge to share as well as a passion for childbirth & parenthood.

The most helpful thing you did to support me was challenging my comments if I was being a bit black & white or judgemental. And encouraging me to consider new perspectives than I had alone.

Words of wisdom I’d like to share with a family preparing for labour, birth & bringing their baby home:

  • Do things your own way; prioritise rest, bonding with your newborn and nutrition in the early weeks.

  • Limit visitors.

Practitioners/websites/podcasts/groups I used during my pregnancy or postpartum:

  • Mostly ended up reading books as part of doula course e.g. ina may gaskin

  • Very helpful to read birth stories.

  • She Births course & online blogs by life and lens photography and Angela Gallo have been affirming in postpartum period

Emma, Chris & baby Elliott

Hiring a doula was one of the best decisions we made!

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Mum says:

Hiring a doula was one of the best decisions we made. Nancy is an invaluable resource and support, and her skills were pivotal in co-creating our birth experience.

The spinning babies protocol was great, but I mostly remember you sitting on the stairs feeding me banana and chocolate during active labour!

Dad says:

Nancy was a great help to us through the whole experience. In labour, Nancy helped to progress Melanie's labour. She provided the non-medical and emotional support.

What was the most helpful thing I did?: Banana and chocolate!! Haha, nah, everything. Every woman should have a doula...!

Most helpful things in labour?

  • Spinning babies techniques by Nancy

  • Iced towels

  • Food

Words of wisdom: Get support. Be informed. Make choices that are right for you. Do not listen to other people's fear. Trust yourself and your body. Say no to visitors for at least a week!!

Love Mel, Clint & baby Max