What mothers say...
‘From first meeting, Zoe immediately made me feel at ease and that I had made the right choice in getting her help post birth. I’d just had a traumatic birth experience and my partner was starting a new job with our little one only being 6 weeks old. We had also experienced some patchy health visitor care (and midwife care throughout the pregnancy) with lots of conflicting advice. I was seeking continuity of support and someone who could help. Zoe provided that and more. Due to covid we actually couldn’t work together until after my partner has started work but even knowing that she was at the end of the phone was so helpful. When we did start working together, she supported me to talk through my birth and provided actionable little steps for me working through this. I felt so comfortable with her looking after my little one while I spent some time on my own as well as helping with bedtime a few times when my partner was away. She gave me lots of confidence in my mothering abilities and listening to my instincts. I feel very lucky that she has been around in these early days of my motherhood journey and I know my little one feels the same- she always got a big smile from him when she came around!‘
Katie – Mother
"The birth of our second child was such a different experience with a doula by our side to give us confidence. Our doula was there for us both all the way through the birth – she reminded us to eat, to drink, to rest; above all to slow down and focus on the moment.
Our doula got to know us well before the birth of our second child so it was like having a sensible friend in the room, helping us to understand what was happening.
Our doula could listen for us, could explain patiently what was happening and help us to think through the choices we needed to make. Both my births ended up as emergency caesareans. The first time it was something that was done to me, leaving me confused and disappointed. The second experience was transformed by my doula who helped me understand what was happening, feel it was my choice, and expressed what I wanted."
"When I was expecting my first child, my husband and I had spent time talking about what we might expect around the birth - we had our hopes and preferences of course - and felt relatively confident in handling whatever came along.
In the event, there were no serious problems. However, being in an unknown environment (though very nice) and through sheer lack of sleep (due to several false starts), this meant that our mental reserves were quickly drained. The presence of a doula then made all the difference. She was calm and assured when my husband was beginning to think this would never end well. He was so exhausted that having another person to turn to helped him to analyse the options together.
I believe that as someone who was not so emotionaly involved, (as my husband and I were naturally trying to be strong for each other), she was able to provide support and a listening ear. So when it came to my second child, I had no hesitation in asking her to be there too!"