TESTIMONIALS
During our pregnancy, circumstances were challenging, as Andrew was studying at University overseas. Emma provided invaluable support in his absence, being available at any time both in person and on the phone/WhatsApp. Emma’s friendly, helpful and confident demeanour enables
her to provide first class support, and when Andrew returned shortly before the birth, he got on well with her straight away, like they had been friends for years.
Emma made herself available at the hospital on the day of our son’s birth after a short notice change to the date of the c-section. We both felt extremely comforted that she was there and can't really imagine doing it without her. The coffee/tea/sandwich runs were very helpful too! We had a couple of follow-up visits in the weeks after the birth and will be keeping in touch with Emma who has become a valued friend.
We would highly recommend Emma as a doula, for pregnancies in both ordinary and extraordinary circumstances. She is courteous and reads each situation individually, offering exactly the right amount of engagement and reassurance.
Andrew and Meg Hamilton, July 2019
Emma was nothing short of a godsend during my pregnancy, my labour and postnatally! We met her fairly late on into my pregnancy but after the first meeting we were sure we wanted her to support us during our planned home birth. She is so open, friendly, easy to chat to, non/judgemental - we immediately knew we would be comfortable having her around during such an intimate time. She made such an effort to get to know us personally in the time we had before the birth. She was keen to be very thorough about knowing my preferences and what we might decide if certain eventualities arose so that she could support and advocate for us properly should she need to.
She was also full of suggestions of things that might help me to relax during labour, things such as affirmations and a personal word to draw on for strength during labour, hypnobirthing and I’m not sure we ended up using it in the end but she was really keen to help with aromatherapy blends if wanted. She also made sure we got private time together as a new family immediately after the birth which I wouldn’t have considered myself but actually was really important and so glad she held that space for us.
She knew how much having a homebirth meant to us and she did everything she could to support us in achieving that and I honestly don’t think we would have done it without her - having someone to remind you what you want when things feel very intense and pressured and to encourage you to trust your instincts is so important. I’m pretty sure we would have transferred to hospital near the end of it wasn’t for this and I will feel forever grateful.
In addition my husband found that Emma took away an element of worry and concern for him - an extra pair of shoulders to take the weight. When he was flagging and was struggling to support me she encouraged him to take breaks and took over.
She is also so knowledgeable about breastfeeding and really helped me out when we were having some problems postnatally (despite being a midwife myself and knowing how it all works her eye and advice was still much needed and did the trick!).
I could go on and on! Emma was quite new to being a doula which could have been a worry but it made no difference, she couldn’t be more suited to it and I would recommend her to anyone!
Hollie and Jamie Bendell, December 2019
Emma clearly has a passion for her work with women, pregnancy, birth and breast feeding. I
consider myself incredibly lucky to have known Emma when I was expecting my second child and I wish I’d had her support for my first.
Her knowledge and ideas are imparted freely in a manner that is utterly friendly and welcome at a time when you need it most.
Emma made herself available for messages, chats and visits to guide me through the first few weeks of my son’s life and I know for a fact he would not have had the good start he had if it hadn’t been for her help.
I very much appreciated Emma’s instinctive ability to know when to give me close attention then let go to allow some bedding in time with the things I had learnt in a session.
Hazel Morrison, November 2019
Having Emma as my Doula was a really wonderful experience. This was my first pregnancy and my family live far away, so I really appreciated having someone there to support me who could be there every step of the way. Emma was very genuine in her interest in my wellbeing and clearly loves what she does. She is knowledgeable about the birthing process and listened carefully to what I wanted, supporting every decision I made and taking the time to help me make informed decisions when I was unsure. She was 100% on my side and made me feel confident about having a home birth (which unfortunately didn’t happen due to Covid-19/ breech baby).
Throughout the many complications and changes, Emma was there to support myself and my partner, with patience and kindness, and I always felt I could rely on her to act quickly and in my best interest. I know I will keep in contact with her and I would highly recommend her as a Doula to anyone considering it!
Poppy Paparuna, April 2020
Having Emma as my Doula was a really wonderful experience. This was my first pregnancy and my family live far away, so I really appreciated having someone there to support me who could be there every step of the way. Emma was very genuine in her interest in my wellbeing and clearly loves what she does. She is knowledgeable about the birthing process and listened carefully to what I wanted, supporting every decision I made and taking the time to help me make informed decisions when I was unsure. She was 100% on my side and made me feel confident about having a home birth (which unfortunately didn’t happen due to Covid-19/ breech baby).
Throughout the many complications and changes, Emma was there to support myself and my partner, with patience and kindness, and I always felt I could rely on her to act quickly and in my best interest. I know I will keep in contact with her and I would highly recommend her as a Doula to anyone considering it!
Poppy Paparuna, April 2020
We are so grateful for Emma. She supported us through the pregnancy on all
levels; with equipment, resources, information we wouldn’t have been
exposed to before and valuable guidance for the birth plan. For the birth, she
was with us body and soul the whole 35 hrs labour until the birth in theatre.
She showed amazing stamina and also provided home-made treats and
cosmetics! Emma was a committed, warm and valuable birth partner,
supporting us fully through the challenges which arose.
Sarah and Honza, August 2020
Emma is an incredible woman and exceptional doula. Her manner, style and approach cannot be faulted and my husband and I are so grateful we could have her as our doula at the birth of our child. Her knowledge about pregnancy birth and babies was a fantastic support in the lead up, during and after the birth. She is understanding and calm in all situations and this helped us to feel empowered in relation to our birth wishes and preferences.
We truly believe that without Emma’s support and presence we would not have had the birth we experienced and will forever be grateful for that. Thank you; Sarah, Tim and Freya x
Sarah and Tim, October 2020
We are not particularly superstitious, but it did feel like the stars aligned with how we met Emma. We just started looking for a Doula, but the person we contacted was unavailable. At the same time, someone was giving away a baby changing mat on an online share group. On picking up the item, we discovered that this person was Emma AND that she was a doula. A bit of destiny, or just coincidence. Whatever it was, we immediately felt like she was the right person for us.
Emma is the kindest person we could have asked for in coaching us through our pregnancy and birth. In the months leading up to the big moment we got to know her really well during our dog walks. She not only was our doula, but also became our friend. Helping us prepare for labour she guided us in our birth plan by giving all the options available to us at each stage of labour, and giving advice of the pros and cons of each of these. During these sessions she made sure we discovered our own preferences and were as prepared as we could be. Furthermore, we discussed in more detail what happens during labour and what massage techniques can be applied for pain relief, which came in very handy!
Her approach is open, friendly, and empowering. This has helped us create a vision for our birth and we felt supported in all our choices, without judgement. On a side note: not only did she help us with our birth plan, she also cooked us a delicious lunch and dinner during our sessions.
As we were over 42 weeks, we ended up in the labour ward instead of the preferred birth centre, and Emma was there with us for the whole 22 hours, taking turns with the father to provide pain relief and mental support to the mother. Even though it was a heavy birth (and baby), she made us feel secure and in charge the entire time. And although things did not go as planned (they rarely do) looking back we feel it was a very positive experience thanks to her.
We are so very grateful to have had Emma support us throughout this life changing period!
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Nicole & Jelmer, September 2021
The support and knowledge that Emma gave us is priceless!
It was amazing having her around prior, during and after birth.
It really made a difference in feeling more confident for this journey.
Thank you Emma!
Rafy, December 2021
Emma is an amazing person and I am so glad she was with us during the birth of our first baby. As the birth partner I felt very confident knowing she was there. Also when things didn’t go the way we planned and my emotions went through the roof, she kept cool and made sure everything went as best as possible.
If you are reading this and still wondering if you need a doula then please get in touch with Emma and have a chat with her. You won’t be disappointed!
Ben, December 2021
From the moment I reached out to Emma, she made us feel supported. Having spoken to a handful of doulas over the phone, I instantly felt at ease during our first conversation and knew I wouldn’t have to ‘perform’ around her. Subconsciously, the fact that emma had had her own homebirth made it all feel more possible.
Emma was always on hand - either in person, or over the phone -to answer our endless
questions as first time parents. She helped us to figure out our birth preferences, leant
us books, and make me potions and lotions for taking care of myself before and after
birth. The meals she made us were delicious, and made us feel truly cared for. We also
paid for antenatal classes, but the support and guidance emma gave us was worth a
hundred times that.
During labour, emma was so sensitive to what I needed. She did more of what was
working, and less of what wasn’t, without having to ask. She thought of everything so
that we didn’t have to - from calling triage when we needed the midwives to come, to
bringing elderflower cordial (which turned out to be the only sustenance I fancied!).
This meant that we could both relax and enjoy labour - as far as that’s possible.
My biggest worry before enlisting the help of a doula was how this might impact the dynamic with the midwives, but emma worked collaboratively with them to help give us the birth we wanted. My partner felt incredibly supported by Emma, and feels he couldn’t have given me the same support without Emma’s presence.
We couldn’t imagine having had the birth of our son without Emma and wholeheartedly recommend her.
April and Robbie, March 2022
I’m lying here in a warm salt bath, soaking my soreness away and musing about how grateful i am and wondering how to express it fully here. I am filled with love (and that’s not just the hormones!).
Emma, your photos have melted my heart and the hearts of family. I'm so grateful for you taking them, i was so oblivious to all else by then. And thank you for standing up for me at the hospital and making that end a positive experience. It could have so nearly cascaded into interventions that i didn't want. But you stuck in for me and gifted your clarity and understanding to keep me on track. Thank you for negotiating the time to let things take their natural course. You truly had our backs and were crucial in bringing about our happy end. Thank you for holding my hand and taking that pain, pressing my pelvis, passing the gas and keeping me going for those last hours when i was running out of mental and physical strength. I really couldn't have got there without you
Alexa, May 2022