Brylie and Raj completed the Birth Hypnosis program and also hired me as their doula. Brylie shares her story:
"I had the great pleasure of having Alison as my doula and birth hypnosis coach.
Birth hypnosis was truly a wonderful tool that empowered me in so many ways. After the somewhat traumatic birth of my first born son, I was eager to get hypnosis underway when I was pregnant with my second son.
Alison was always warm, friendly, inviting and so easy to talk to. She instantly made me feel comfortable and explained what hypnosis was and actually listened to me and my fears and concerns.
During the hypnosis sessions, my husband was hugely involved too. Alison always included him and listened to his thoughts, views and concerns. I found the hypnosis invaluable and highly recommend it.
Then there was the doula side to our relationship. Alison was always quick to reply to my million and one “odd” questions about my pregnancy and impending labour.
During my labour, Alison and my husband were present. I was committed to having a drug free labour, which was supported by Alison. She understood my birth plan and was ever so encouraging. Alison listened to what I wanted and when I “didn’t know” what I wanted, she knew instinctively what to do. She was a huge support to myself, and my husband.
Even when the medical team had to intervene, Alison was still giving me words of encouragement from the sidelines.
After I gave birth to my whopping 4.7kg bundle of magic, Alison was amazing taking photos for my husband and I to look back on.
I also used the Blissful Herbs Postnatal Bliss ….. WOW! Soothing relief after an episiotomy – I just wished I’d known about Blissful Herbs 5 years ago when I had my first!
Having Alison present at the birth of our son was something I will cherish forever. She opened my eyes to how magical and relatively “peaceful” it can all be."
Brylie, Raj and baby Evan
"I had the great pleasure of having Alison as my doula and birth hypnosis coach.
Birth hypnosis was truly a wonderful tool that empowered me in so many ways. After the somewhat traumatic birth of my first born son, I was eager to get hypnosis underway when I was pregnant with my second son.
Alison was always warm, friendly, inviting and so easy to talk to. She instantly made me feel comfortable and explained what hypnosis was and actually listened to me and my fears and concerns.
During the hypnosis sessions, my husband was hugely involved too. Alison always included him and listened to his thoughts, views and concerns. I found the hypnosis invaluable and highly recommend it.
Then there was the doula side to our relationship. Alison was always quick to reply to my million and one “odd” questions about my pregnancy and impending labour.
During my labour, Alison and my husband were present. I was committed to having a drug free labour, which was supported by Alison. She understood my birth plan and was ever so encouraging. Alison listened to what I wanted and when I “didn’t know” what I wanted, she knew instinctively what to do. She was a huge support to myself, and my husband.
Even when the medical team had to intervene, Alison was still giving me words of encouragement from the sidelines.
After I gave birth to my whopping 4.7kg bundle of magic, Alison was amazing taking photos for my husband and I to look back on.
I also used the Blissful Herbs Postnatal Bliss ….. WOW! Soothing relief after an episiotomy – I just wished I’d known about Blissful Herbs 5 years ago when I had my first!
Having Alison present at the birth of our son was something I will cherish forever. She opened my eyes to how magical and relatively “peaceful” it can all be."
Brylie, Raj and baby Evan
Eden and Redmond completed the Birth Hypnosis program and share their birth story:
"Just wanted to let you know that our baby has arrived - we named her Esme - and tell you how it all went!
On Tuesday at midday my waters broke, so we went into hospital for a check. With no contractions beginning, they said to come back at 6am the next morning to be induced if things hadn't progressed. We got back home at 4pm and things slowly started. I went for a long, brisk walk at 6pm and by 8pm contractions were strong and frequent. I listened to the Labour Hypnosis CD and used the TENS machine, and did as much relaxed, deep breathing as I could. But I had little time for anything else because by 10pm my body was pushing! We hurried to hospital, as I tried to stop pushing in the car. They checked me on arrival and found me 10cm dilated and ready to pop! All the midwives were most impressed! We didn't have time to bring our bags in, but were ushered into the room where, 27 minutes later, Esme was born - completely drug free :). While there were a fair few stitches required afterwards, I was up, showered and dressed quickly and Esme was given a clean bill of health at 2.61 kg.
In a way, I was a bit disappointed that I didn't get to try out our massage and the rest of the birth hypnosis techniques, but I have no doubt that the positive reinforcement provided by all the practice with the CDs kept me calm enough to stay at home as long as I did. Redmond was also very calm under pressure and was indeed a great birth partner, largely thanks to your services. He reminded me to concentrate on breathing when I forgot (which happened frequently). The birth experience was better than I could have hoped for, so thank you for all your expertise and support for the duration of our pregnancy."
Eden and Redmond and baby Esme - 2013
"Just wanted to let you know that our baby has arrived - we named her Esme - and tell you how it all went!
On Tuesday at midday my waters broke, so we went into hospital for a check. With no contractions beginning, they said to come back at 6am the next morning to be induced if things hadn't progressed. We got back home at 4pm and things slowly started. I went for a long, brisk walk at 6pm and by 8pm contractions were strong and frequent. I listened to the Labour Hypnosis CD and used the TENS machine, and did as much relaxed, deep breathing as I could. But I had little time for anything else because by 10pm my body was pushing! We hurried to hospital, as I tried to stop pushing in the car. They checked me on arrival and found me 10cm dilated and ready to pop! All the midwives were most impressed! We didn't have time to bring our bags in, but were ushered into the room where, 27 minutes later, Esme was born - completely drug free :). While there were a fair few stitches required afterwards, I was up, showered and dressed quickly and Esme was given a clean bill of health at 2.61 kg.
In a way, I was a bit disappointed that I didn't get to try out our massage and the rest of the birth hypnosis techniques, but I have no doubt that the positive reinforcement provided by all the practice with the CDs kept me calm enough to stay at home as long as I did. Redmond was also very calm under pressure and was indeed a great birth partner, largely thanks to your services. He reminded me to concentrate on breathing when I forgot (which happened frequently). The birth experience was better than I could have hoped for, so thank you for all your expertise and support for the duration of our pregnancy."
Eden and Redmond and baby Esme - 2013
"Having a doula was great, not only for myself, but for my partner too. It took a lot of stress away that I am sure he would have had if Alison had not been there. It was great to have someone who knew what was going on and who could help me with contractions. Alison knew what I wanted, what I didn’t want, and what I would do if I had to. This helped us achieve our much wanted VBAC.
If anyone is contemplating having a doula, I say GO FOR IT! Thank you Alison for helping and being a part of my successful VBAC :)"
Tennille, Paul and baby Bronte - 2010
If anyone is contemplating having a doula, I say GO FOR IT! Thank you Alison for helping and being a part of my successful VBAC :)"
Tennille, Paul and baby Bronte - 2010
"Thank you Doula Alison for assisting us with the most amazing experience of our lives!
When Paul and I discovered I was pregnant, we were as excited and apprehensive as I’m sure most people are! We read everything that we could get our hands on as we wanted a natural and medication free labour, if possible. We were adamant that we would do everything possible to avoid having a caesarean birth, but our main priority was always making sure that bubs and I returned home safe.
In all of the reading, we kept coming across information on how having a Doula would help us achieve the birth experience that we wanted. Paul and I are very private people and we just weren’t really convinced that having anyone, trained or not, in the room with us is what we wanted. We also needed to ensure that Paul’s place as main support person would not be jeopardised. The decision then came down to wanting to do all that we could to have the birth that we wanted, so we met with Alison and decided she was for us.
We had a couple of casual catch ups with Alison before the birth so we could make sure we all knew what was important to us. Alison helped us with a realistic birth plan, and made us feel comfortable about having her share such a personal experience with us. We discussed our expectations and roles, and most importantly she ensured us that she was not there in place of Paul - she was there to support us both.
So labour day came, and I was comfortable labouring at home with Paul for about 13 hours before it was time to go to the birth centre. Alison met us there and made the phone calls to parents and did anything else that we needed. This meant Paul was by my side where I needed him to be. We all knew our plan, and when I started asking for pain medication, Paul and Alison were careful to question me to make sure this is what I really wanted. Alison also hunted down our midwife to see if they could do an extra examination, hoping that if I was further along than I thought, that maybe I would feel more comfortable to push on with the original plan to not have pain medication.
When it was discovered that our baby was in distress, we ended up needing an emergency caesarean. At 12.35pm, our beautiful little girl Madeleine Zoe was born as healthy as can be.
Although it was one of the scariest experiences of our lives, our main goal was achieved in that both myself and our daughter were healthy, and Paul and I were able to come home with the knowledge that we did all that we could to ensure a positive birth experience. Of course there is some disappointment that after 23 hours labour it didn’t all go to plan, but without Alison with us, there definitely would have been regrets.
Thank you so much Doula Alison, you helped make the birth of our little girl to be the positive birth experience we wanted, even if it wasn’t to plan!"
Alicia, Paul and baby Madeleine 2009
When Paul and I discovered I was pregnant, we were as excited and apprehensive as I’m sure most people are! We read everything that we could get our hands on as we wanted a natural and medication free labour, if possible. We were adamant that we would do everything possible to avoid having a caesarean birth, but our main priority was always making sure that bubs and I returned home safe.
In all of the reading, we kept coming across information on how having a Doula would help us achieve the birth experience that we wanted. Paul and I are very private people and we just weren’t really convinced that having anyone, trained or not, in the room with us is what we wanted. We also needed to ensure that Paul’s place as main support person would not be jeopardised. The decision then came down to wanting to do all that we could to have the birth that we wanted, so we met with Alison and decided she was for us.
We had a couple of casual catch ups with Alison before the birth so we could make sure we all knew what was important to us. Alison helped us with a realistic birth plan, and made us feel comfortable about having her share such a personal experience with us. We discussed our expectations and roles, and most importantly she ensured us that she was not there in place of Paul - she was there to support us both.
So labour day came, and I was comfortable labouring at home with Paul for about 13 hours before it was time to go to the birth centre. Alison met us there and made the phone calls to parents and did anything else that we needed. This meant Paul was by my side where I needed him to be. We all knew our plan, and when I started asking for pain medication, Paul and Alison were careful to question me to make sure this is what I really wanted. Alison also hunted down our midwife to see if they could do an extra examination, hoping that if I was further along than I thought, that maybe I would feel more comfortable to push on with the original plan to not have pain medication.
When it was discovered that our baby was in distress, we ended up needing an emergency caesarean. At 12.35pm, our beautiful little girl Madeleine Zoe was born as healthy as can be.
Although it was one of the scariest experiences of our lives, our main goal was achieved in that both myself and our daughter were healthy, and Paul and I were able to come home with the knowledge that we did all that we could to ensure a positive birth experience. Of course there is some disappointment that after 23 hours labour it didn’t all go to plan, but without Alison with us, there definitely would have been regrets.
Thank you so much Doula Alison, you helped make the birth of our little girl to be the positive birth experience we wanted, even if it wasn’t to plan!"
Alicia, Paul and baby Madeleine 2009
"Alison was a fantastic support providing information and emotional guidance without being imposing, throughout our pregnancy and labour.
She quietly, calmly and confidently allowed us to go our own way through everything, just being a constant rock when we needed her, particularly when panic started to set in just prior to the transition period!
Her gentle coaching, driving us to the hospital and support for us all was beautiful and enabled us to look back on the whole birth with much love as we had felt empowered and informed throughout.
My husband Roger and I could not have asked for a better birth thanks to Alison! While Roger was a little dubious at the start, once he realised Alison was there to support him and help him to support me, he felt in control and able to be a fantastic birthing partner!
I can think of no higher compliment to give Alison than to say I would be very happy for her to be part of baby number two when the time finally comes!
Thanks for a great job Alison :)"
Carol, Roger and baby Matehaere - 2008
She quietly, calmly and confidently allowed us to go our own way through everything, just being a constant rock when we needed her, particularly when panic started to set in just prior to the transition period!
Her gentle coaching, driving us to the hospital and support for us all was beautiful and enabled us to look back on the whole birth with much love as we had felt empowered and informed throughout.
My husband Roger and I could not have asked for a better birth thanks to Alison! While Roger was a little dubious at the start, once he realised Alison was there to support him and help him to support me, he felt in control and able to be a fantastic birthing partner!
I can think of no higher compliment to give Alison than to say I would be very happy for her to be part of baby number two when the time finally comes!
Thanks for a great job Alison :)"
Carol, Roger and baby Matehaere - 2008