"Although it was some distance away Gina came immediately I called in the middle of a cold foggy winter night and arrived just in time to accompany me in the ambulance to the hospital. It was valuable to have Gina's calm and reassuring presence to support me through a pretty rapid and dramatic labour. Although the birth was quick and problem free I was glad that I had Gina to share the experience with."

Jenny (Baby S born December 2006)

"I contacted Gina with only a few weeks to go before the birth of my first child.

A friend had mentioned about the role of doulas some months earlier and I was motivated to explore the idea of finding a doula for myself when I began to realise that my planned home birth might not go ahead. Having read lots about interventions – many unnecessary, by doctors/consultants in hospital I was keen to ensure that I was fully informed and impartially advised/assisted in making decisions should I be hospitalised.

Gina called to my home three weeks before the due date. She was instantly likeable and had a professional and common sense approach. I felt reassured and confident in her ability to be a labour ‘coach’ when the time came. She visited again before the birth so as we could become more familiar and to discuss my concerns and labour/birth plan.

Four days before the due date a routine urine and blood pressure screening indicated pre-eclampsia and I was immediately hospitalised. Gina came straight away and began helping me to make decisions about whether to be induced, monitored, given drugs, an episiotomy and ventouse delivery.

Her knowledge allowed me to make informed choices about my care within the hospital. I am confident that, had it not been for her help, I would have ended up being whisked off for a caesarean.

Having her with me enabled me to negotiate an extra three hours grace before the doctors intervened in my labour. These extra three hours allowed my body’s natural pain killers to be released ensuring a relatively pain-free (and drug free) delivery – I did not even need gas and air. The extra three hours also enabled me to get to the stage where my baby’s head was almost crowning, so that the final two pushes, with the aid of a kiwi-cup, were less damaging to my perinneal area and to the baby.

Gina also put into practice her knowledge to help with progressing the labour – such as the ‘labour dance’, visualisation techniques, use of homeopathy and relaxing massage techniques.

She was supportive of my husband as well and helped him to be more helpful and supportive to me.

The overall result was that the labour experience was a good one and I would wholeheartedly recommend the use of a doula – especially Gina – to anyone else expecting a baby."

Lynn (Baby A born March 2006)

"I have always felt strongly about women supporting women during labour and childbirth so I was very interested to be given the opportunity to have a doula present at the birth of my fifth child.

Gina visited us at home prior to the birth and was very conscientious in asking me what I wanted from the birth. She also wanted to hear my previous birth stories, which made me feel very valued, as it’s easy for others to lose interest when you’ve had several children. She also did some Indian head massage during these visits and leant me some interesting literature.

Between visits we have numerous telephone conversations and e-mails and I received a lovely parcel in the post. All in all it made me feel that this pregnancy was as special as the first. The idea of “mothering the mother” was especially helpful to me as my own mother had helped me for a large part of my first labour but had since sadly passed away.

The birth ended up being an induced labour in hospital with more drugs than I had originally intended. I was worried that this might all be too mainstream for my doula, but Gina was respectful and supporting of my decisions throughout.

During the labour Gina gave Reiki and massage. Having her there also enabled my partner to take breaks – something he had felt he shouldn’t do in previous labours when we were by ourselves. The additional support also enabled both of us to focus on the experience rather than worrying about each other. As it turned out, Gina was alone in the room with me as the delivery began, and the midwives only just made it back in time. Had I been alone, I would not have been able to summon them myself. After the birth Gina was supportive of my attempts to breast-feed, something which was a real issue for me as I hadn’t succeeded in breast-feeding previously. I’m happy to say I’m still breast-feeding nearly 4 months on.

Having run errands for us while I was in hospital, Gina has also visited us at home post-natally and we have kept in touch via phone and e-mail. I have also received emotional support and a package containing a natural remedy tailored to my specific post natal symptoms.

Having a doula present made what could have been a nightmare of drugs and medical intervention, into a positive birth experience."

Kaye (Baby H born August 2005)

"It was great to be able to take breaks and know my partner was being looked after"

" I appreciated getting a massage myself half way through the labour"

" It was good to have someone else to talk to that wasn't high on drugs"

Ian (Baby H born August 2005)