BirTherapy
Professional Labour & Birth Support
A few letters from my wonderful clients...
"Every aspect of your assistance before, during and after the birth of our son was invaluable. I can’t truly convey how reassuring it was having you available to call as I felt the first pangs of labor and later to serve as a voice of calm reassurance and affirmation when things progressed more quickly than expected. After hours of your supportive guidance and it nonetheless became apparent that this birth was not going to progress without intervention, you provided composed assistance to my fainting husband as the epidural was being inserted in my back. We have a lot of fun telling people of how you simultaneously kept one hand near me to keep me still and another hand behind my husband’s shoulders to break his fall. This heroic Heisman pose of the labor and delivery room!
The pictures you took of our son being born and that amazing picture of him with Keith mere minutes after his birth are among the most treasured of all the pictures taken to date. Never mind how wonderful it is having the story of his birth recorded from your perspective preserved for posterity.
All in all Jane, when people ask us about our birth experience, the one aspect we are most emphatic about is that having you there was, as I already said, invaluable. I’m sad to think that by the time we might opt for a second child you will likely already be living on different shores because you really made a world of difference for us. Please feel free to share this letter with any prospective clients in the future if any would like a reference. I wish you the best and know that anyone who has you there as her doula will be equally grateful for your knowledge and presence."
Most sincerely,
Kristyl M. M. Smith
San Antonio, Texas, USA
September 2005
“About eight weeks prior to the birth of our son, Cooper, we asked Jane if she would be our doula. She accepted and said that she would be honoured to support us. Jane contacted us two to three times a week, always helpful, and with current information to assist in the comfort of Raimey. Having someone there would prove vital in the next few weeks, as we were to learn that Raimey would be having a c- section as our son was breech.
When we arrived at the hospital, Jane was there and helped Raimey stay calm, focused and comfortable. She gave Raimey a massage with essential oils prior to the surgery, and explained the c-section procedure to us. The surgery proved more difficult than expected, but Jane was by our side offering solutions and support. It was very reassuring that Jane could stay by Raimey's side, holding her hand and reassuring her while her incision was being repaired, and I could be with our son in a different part of the room.
When the surgery was over, Jane assisted in the recovery room, offering advice on breastfeeding Cooper. My mother, having not met Jane previously, commented on the “really good nurse” who helped Raimey with nursing, as “she was the only one who seemed to know what she was doing!”
We really enjoyed having Jane as our doula. She is a warm-hearted, caring and compassionate person. These are skills that cannot be taught, but rather are traits which you innately have or don’t have. We’ll never forget the feelings we had when she presented us with the birth story of our son before we left hospital. Something we will treasure always.
Jane is an excellent doula, and we are very proud to recommend her to anyone!
Thank you for all you have done for our family.”
James, Raimey & Cooper Kennel
San Antonio, Texas, USA
October 2005
"From our first meeting with Jane we immediately felt comfortable and relaxed with her. Her explanation of her services was very thorough and I was happy that she assured us that her role was also to support my partner through the birth. Jane took care to listen, provide information, or direct me to other sources from which I could make informed decisions.
Her encouragement and suggestions during my labour were wonderful for focusing my energy on birthing my baby. Jane's presence also meant that I did not have to worry about my partner as I knew she was there to help and guide him too. It was comforting to know that although the midwives changed shift during the course of my labour, Jane would provide a constant presence who knew what I wanted and did not want to happen during the birth. Having Jane with us gave me the confidence to know that I could have the birth I wanted while understanding that her emotional support would be very much appreciated if circumstances had meant changes to my birth plan.
We highly recommend Jane to other expectant parents wanting to experience the benefits of having a doula.
Peta, James and Baby Talisa
Perth, WA
September 2006
"Thank you for your incredible support during my entire birth process. From the moment we met, I felt immediately certain that you were the right person to share with us the birth of our baby. Your ante-natal support, advice and guidance including the use of your dvds and books has helped me to make an informed decision about what type of birth I wanted and prepared me mentally for whatever laid in store.
As it turned out I ended up having an emergency caesarean section with a baby in breech position born 5 weeks premature and had it not been for your support and preparation and calming presence during the delivery, I dont feel my experience would have been a positive one. I owe my positive birth experience to you for preparing me mentally and teaching me about having the right mindset.
Following the birth, I felt really glad to have you in the hospital room with me to help me adjust emotionally particularly given the drugs I received to cope with the pain and nausea. Having you visit with us at home and being able to talk about my emotional well being without fear of judgement was also very comforting.
Sharing the birth of my daughter with you has created a very special bond between us and I am also grateful to you for taking very memorable birth pictures!
My husband likewise is very grateful we engaged you as it has enhanced his birth experience. He was able to relax and enjoy the birth of his child knowing I received expert help and support and it wasn't all up to him.
To anyone considering employing a doula, I would say - 'do it'. The incredible amount of practical help and emotional support offered is very important and to me essential. Having Jane as my doula was a great experience - choosing a doula is a very personal decision - however I cannot imagine finding Jane unsuitable for anybody. Jane is very experienced and one of few, if not the only, doula in Australia to be formally qualified under DONA. She is very professional at all times, intuitive in knowing exactly what is needed during labour and absolutely committed to ensuring you have all the support to make your labour an experience to remember fondly.
Once again, thank you Jane and I look forward to sharing my next birth experience with you as 'our team'."
Best Wishes
Corran and Eliza
and Baby Lavinia (born 21 March 2008)
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