" Initially my husband and I decided to use a doula as I’d seen a programme about the benefits. When I met Helen she was really warm and friendly. We had several prenatal meetings at which Helen gave me practical advice as well as giving wonderful massages. We got to know Helen and I could ring her for advice or information. I felt confident during my pregnancy knowing that I would have the support of my husband and Helen during the birth. 

Helen came as soon I went into labour and provided both emotional support as well as pain relieving massages through quite a long labour. She helped me to realise that I was in control of the birth and that I understood any decisions which needed to be made. I never felt she was intruding- she provided support for me and my husband as and when we needed it. Helen provided fantastic support right through the night until my baby was born in the afternoon. This was followed up by a postnatal visit when I returned home from hospital.

Helen was of such benefit for the birth of my first child that when I fell pregnant again I knew that I wanted Helen to help again. Twenty one months later, Helen was there providing support when my second child was born.

It’s difficult to put into words how grateful I feel to Helen for helping me to have such good birth experiences- I would recommend anyone considering using a doula to talk to Helen.

Joy Ellithorne

 " As a husband undergoing his first “labour” experience I found Helen to be a calm and reassuring influence. It was a good feeling being able to ring Helen at 2.45am and know that she would be coming to the hospital. She really did help me attend to my wife’s needs as well as advise and comfort me when I got nervous and unsure of what to do.

For our second birth I took my wife to hospital when she went into labour and Helen was already there to meet and look after her. I then had to go back home to arrange child care for our son and whilst I was away from the hospital it was reassuring to know that my wife was not alone. For this labour  I also  mastered the back massage Helen had taught me and my wife didn’t know if it was me or Helen giving the massage!!! That came from the confidence Helen had installed in me.

Helen gave me emotional and practical support for both of my children's births. I would have no hesitation in recommending her services as a doula.

Richard Ellithorne

 " I am so pleased we found Helen while I was pregnant, her knowledge of pregnancy and birth is extensive and it was so useful to have someone to discuss our concerns, fears and hopes with who actually knew the answers to our questions!  The session she did including my husband as well was invaluable in involving him in the birth and resulted in him being the perfect birth partner.

It was a relief to find someone who was able to offer emotional and physical support who shared our belief in active birthing.  It was my first pregnancy and I obviously had fears but wanted everything to be as natural as possible and Helen was able to help with that and to put my mind at rest.

During my pregnancy I had regular full-body massages from Helen and wonder how I would have managed without them!  Her style, method and hands-on pressure are tailored for pregnancy and so I was comfortable throughout each one.  I felt very relaxed and it was helpful to be able to de-stress whilst pregnant (my previous masseuse (quite rightly) refused to do a full body massage when I was pregnant as she wasn't trained). 

I can highly recommend Helen for pregnancy and birth advice and massage. Her expertise, professionalism and friendliness are second to none.

Customer

  " Helen is a wonderful doula. She made a tremendous positive difference – both prenatally and during the birth of my son. During my second pregnancy I was anything but relaxed as three years earlier my daughter had been born quite unexpectedly at 28 weeks. Despite a good early second pregnancy, I was anxious that history might repeat itself. Helen was enormously helpful prenatally in various ways. First, she helped me to really understand what the medics were telling me. I was being closely monitored for signs of premature labour. Second, she helped me to relax by using her pre-natal massage skills – this helped particularly as my bump got larger. Finally, she also helped by encouraging me to engage with the idea of a birthing plan – I just assumed it was going to be over as quickly as the first time: wrong! 

During the labour itself, Helen was great. She helped me both by massaging me between contractions and helping my partner to do this as well. While this was one of the big nights in my life, it was taking place in the real world in an NHS hospital which wasn’t teaming with staff (they were great, there just weren’t a lot to go round). Having Helen there, with her extensive knowledge of childbirth and labour, was very reassuring both for me and my partner.  

A few days after we came home, I found it very useful to talk through the birth with Helen. Something had happened during the labour which I’d viewed negatively. However, I came to see this quite differently after Helen and I had talked it through. Dealing with this, I feel set the foundation for a happy and contented relationship with my son and our family.  

I highly recommend Helen as doula.

Evelyn Kerslake