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

We were blown away by the positive impact that Nancy had on our birth.

We couldn't recommend Nancy highly enough. Although we understood before booking Nancy that the role of a doula was to support us during pregnancy and labour, we were blown away by the positive impact that Nancy had on our birth. I have no doubt that had Nancy not been there, the labour would not have been nearly as relaxed or successful. Nancy helped me achieve my goal of a natural delivery without chemical pain relief. Her role was protective and I really felt safe in her hands throughout the whole process. She had amazing knowledge of both pregnancy, labour and the postnatal period and her ideas and suggestions were practical and achievable. I feel very blessed that she was by our side on one of the most important days of our lives and would not hesitate to recommend her as a doula.

Dear Nancy, my most memorable moment was when I began to doubt that I could get the baby out and you reminded me that it was not my previous labour. It re-booted my thought process and gave me a positive boost to keep going. 

I think that the most helpful thing you did to support me was to believe in me and remind me to believe in myself.

The pregnancy massages that you gave me were amazing and helped me manage quite debilitating hip and pelvic pain towards the end. You were very thorough in your assessment prior to the massage which I liked and you had an extensive knowledge of the body and massage techniques. You put me at ease and made me feel relaxed. I also thought it was a great service that you came to my home.

The most helpful things in labour were: 

• Definitely the TENS machine- it was such a blessing and I am so thankful that you recommended it. 

• Your suggestion to change positions from time to time also really helped as did the transition into the water. 

• I also felt that I used breathing more effectively this delivery thanks to your guidance.

• I found hypnobirthing cd very helpful again to get into birthing zone. 

Do you feel that you got value for money? Do the fees reflect the service you received?: To be totally honest, the cost initially looked very high and although we could appreciate why (on-call periods etc) we did have to weigh up if financially we could afford to book you. However, both Percy and I have said on multiple occasions since that it was the best money we have ever invested and that we do not regret it one bit. You never failed to deliver in any aspect of your service.

Words of wisdom: Organise things as much as possible for after the birth to help such as freezing meals, organising a cleaner etc.

- Liz, Percy & baby Elise

My birth was a dream come true!

Nancy, my birth was a dream come true and we owe a massive part of that to the knowledge and support you provided us and for the confidence you had in us. You go above and beyond Nancy!

Having Nancy with us during our labour removed all fear and any doubts. It gave us the opportunity to not worry about anything because we felt assured that with her abundant knowledge we were in safe hands. Having a fearless birth meant that we were able to labour without worry and achieve the outcome we wanted most. 
It also gave my partner and I the space to be more connected and present with each other because we knew we could rely on Nancy's support and knew all our questions would be answered if anything came up. 

It was the best investment we could have made! It made my first birth experience so incredible and what more could you ask for?!

I feel completely and utterly satisfied with Nancy as our doula!!!

My most memorable moments are:

• getting to the hospital to find out I was fully dilated AND

• being in the bath in the candle light with Marcelo and Nancy by my side with the beautiful music playing and reaching down to feel Uma's little slimey hairy head!

The most helpful things Nancy did were:

• showing me how much faith and confidence she had in me to achieve the birth I wanted

• held my legs in the bath

• helped out with info etc in the post labour part when I had a bleed

The most helpful things to me in labour were:

• My partner

• Tens 

• Hot water 

• Heat pack

• Encouraging words 

• Breath

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?: Trust that your body is made to do this. Make sure you are fully informed and sure about the birth you want to have. Breath!!!! Stay calm and (if you can afford it) definitely get a doula!

Love Nicky, Marcelo & baby Uma

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

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

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.

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!

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

Nancy exceeded our expectations. I don't know how we could have done it without her, and would use her again without hesitation.

It was such a huge relief to have someone helping out with household chores, cooking good food, caring for Teddy and supporting me with breastfeeding and birth recovery.

Thoughts from mum:

Nancy was at my side throughout my entire labour. She offered support by suggesting different positions, providing alternative tools when I got tired (birth ball, chair, shower etc) and constantly offered me fluids so I could keep my energy levels up. She also guided me when I needed to make decisions about my care, and helped me confidently interface with the hospital midwives. I didn't realise how hard it would be to make decisions whilst in the throes of labour, and I really valued having someone I trusted, who is experienced in the world of birth and babies, to assist in my decision making.

Nancy also provided us with ongoing postnatal support after Teddy's birth. It was such a huge relief to have someone we had built a relationship with helping out with household chores, cooking good food, caring for Teddy and supporting me with breastfeeding and birth recovery. The first few weeks of motherhood are a huge adjustment and Nancy's support, encouragement and advice made a challenging transition so much easier.

Thoughts from dad:

Nancy exceeded our expectations. She was not only informative and diligent but graceful, kind and encouraging. Her positive energy and emotional intelligence improved our experience for the better. I don't know how we could have done it without her, and I would use her again without hesitation. The entire time was memorable, which is to say Nancy was like having an angel around the entire time. Nancy's positive words and encouraging demeanour was so encompassing that it is difficult to say one particular thing was most helpful. It was all helpful. As the husband, and not being naturally comfortable in birth situations, I could not have been happier with how Nancy supported my wife and took pressure and anxiety away from me.

We not only feel we received value for money, but we felt slightly sheepish that we did not pay more.

Nancy not only increased our overall birth satisfaction but having Nancy as our doula gave us confidence and comfort during our first birth experience. I feel like Nancy was part of our family during the birth, and I am beyond words to express my appreciation for her contribution and help.

- Bea

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