Testimonials - Birth Doula

 

Hi Mary,

I first contacted you early in my pregnancy to talk about doula support. I was highly emotional and looking back, would say terrified of what lay ahead. I had a long road to the pregnancy, including infertility and loss and being older I knew there were risks involved.


What I remember from that day is that you were kind and calm and when I started crying you were empathetic and listened. You gave me time to tell you about myself and after we spoke you said you had someone in mind that could possibly be my doula.


That person turned out to be Gemma Doyle and I can very happily say that you were right!


I recently gave birth to my son, and despite the fact that the birth wasn’t my planned birth, our little boy is here, happy and healthy. Gemma was there from the start and nothing was ever too much trouble.


We had a great connection and I always found it easy to talk to her. She was also able to connect with my partner (he had some initial reservations) and we both felt at ease in her presence.


When I went I to labour unexpectedly fast on the ante natal ward I remember saying to my partner ‘ring Gemma!’ I knew she would know what to do and be the calming influence we needed.


By the time Gemma arrived we were in the delivery suite, I felt better and I was able to focus on what was important. She was there for me and that was the best feeling. I would say she was the calmest person in the room, and we ended up with a few people in the room!


She has been invaluable to me post partum in working through the birth and recovering physically and emotionally, not to mention helping with our little boy!


I would say that the post partum visits are probably more important than the ante natal visits. Gemma just knows what to do and springs into action. I feel really lucky to have her as part of this journey whilst I evolve into a mother and build my confidence.


So thank you for all you do to encourage well trained, thoughtful, kind and caring doulas. It is a testament to the effort that you put in to end up with people like Gemma on your team.


I will leave you with this comment my partner made after our first post partum visit with Gemma. ‘You have a sparkle back in your eye’.

Birth Doula Client


 
Everything uttered by her was evidence based and reminded me of the power of women’s bodies and minds and this made me feel capable and resilient again.
— VBAC Mum
 

I decided on DoulaCare Ireland because I’d heard a lot about the founder Mary and had previously seen her responses on Cuidiu and GentleBirth FB pages so respect her work and drawn to the company as a result. The Garda vetting was a big attraction. I found the initial chat easy, informative and not at all pressurising. I didn’t want my husband to feel like he wasn’t a support during our first birth experience. I’d hoped that both my doula and husband would work well together and that he would feel very much involved. It turns out they were the best birthing team and our doula gave him the all the ideas on how to support me prior to and during labour and he was fantastic. I never felt alone during contractions and he applied hip squeezes each time and helped with breathing for pushing when I felt exhausted. My doula knew just how to be there for me and empower both of us. Truly amazing! There were so many curveballs thrown at me from an unsupportive consultant to a GD diagnosis at 29 weeks and the fact my first pregnancy was Group Strep B positive. I was so down and tired from trying to balance work and my 2 year old that before hiring a doula I felt disconnected to my baby. My doula built my confidence and allowed me to really enjoy the last few weeks of pregnancy. Everything uttered by her was evidence based and reminded me of the power of women’s bodies and minds and this made me feel capable and resilient again. I think this mindset was essential in achieving a VBAC. Hard to say one thing but I guess just feeling bolstered in general. When dealing with a system that’s inconsistent and varies according to the care giver you meet on the day it was fantastic to have someone so well informed and experienced,as well as calm, to bounce ideas off and feel strengthened by. Having a doula is like having secret ammunition! We are amazed by the experience and 3 weeks on still absorbing just how amazing it was. I knew it would be useful but now I’m sure I wouldn’t have achieved a VBAC without that support. My partner was definitely dubious at the start even though he never explicitly said this. The week before our baby was born we were coming back from an appointment and he spoke about how brilliant and essential a doula is. We really leaned on her. Having a doula was life changing for him too.

- VBAC Mum, Cork

 
DoulaCare Team

DoulaCare Team

 

I chose DoulaCare Ireland as they had the most information about what a Doula was and what kind of support I’d get. Also, Mary was very informative when we talked, making me decide that the agency would be the best one to support me. I cannot describe in words how wonderful was to have a Doula. I did think it’d be good, but couldn’t have imagined how much support I’d get. My doula provided me with support, a ton of information and guidance as well as the reassurance I needed. I can’t imagine going into labour without my doula. 

My doula helped me build a birth plan that made me feel prepared for labour. Even when things didn’t go as planned, I had all the information from the prenatal visits and felt prepared to make the necessary decisions. I had a very positive birth experience, even though so many things didn’t go as planned. I don’t think this would’ve been the case if I haven’t had a doula.  I was immensely pleased with the support I received throughout my pregnancy and birth, from all the information to the hands on approach during labour. 

The one moment that I won’t forget though is when I was in the shower and my husband couldn’t join me. I was in so much pain I can barely remember accurately how it was. I do remember that my doula was there to support me. She helped me with positions, reminded me of my breathing and held the shower head in all the possible and impossible ways to alleviate my pain. She was wonderful.wanted to say thank you once more here! I’m very pleased with all the support I received from you, Jen and Teh. I cannot stress enough how wonderful Teh was! She’s amazing. Thank you so much for matching Teh with us, she was definitely the right fit for our family. She was so much more than I expected! Having a doula was certainly one of the best decisions we’ve made. And we’re super happy with Teh - it was a great match.

- First Time Mum, Dublin

 

The motivation for having a Doula came from there being no-one, but my husband, to take care of our toddler for the delivery and duration of my stay in the hospital. We didn't think we would get so much out of having a Doula; from the initial meeting, where we asked a hundred questions and were provided with a hundred and one answers, we never felt patronised, just informed and in control. On arriving to the hospital for delivery, our Doula helped make the whole experience so much more comfortable. She was with me every step of the way. Our doula explored each and every potential option with us, leading to there being no surprises, in the end. Her involvement; she (we feel) went above and beyond for us, and clearly she loves what she does, as it shines through. Any concerns and/or worries my husband had, melted away during the first meeting with our Doula. He found it priceless. We found the service to be fantastic.

- Kristina & Dan, Second Time Parents, Cork

 

My husband and I moved to Cork just a few months before becoming pregnant. Being so far away from all friends and family made us want a guaranteed face we’d recognize and for some local support along the way. It was really nice to have someone check in, help us sort out a new medical system, and have a familiar face in the delivery room. Honestly, seeing our doula in the delivery room was a relief that we will both always be thankful for. Having help navigating CUMH and the whole birth process was hugely helpful. It was a very new experience for me and my partner. Having someone in the midst of all the medical staff that you and your partner recognise is a huge, huge help. Knowing that someone was in the room who knew exactly what I wanted was totally worth any expense. Plus, having someone with all the phone numbers or email addresses you might need makes life a little easier when you’re pregnant! My partner found it to be reassuring and helpful. He’s someone who likes to contribute and be involved, so knowing ways to help ease back pain and what to say vs not say were great for him. Our doula was very kind, warm, and incredibly quick to respond (which is amazing knowing that she has multiple kids of her own!). Hearing her say “just go with your body” will forever be recorded in my head as a helpful mantra.

- First Time Mum, Cork

 

Speaking with Mary at the beginning was brilliant and a real help in deciding whether I wanted a doula. There was no pressure at all and she was really clear about the whole process. My first meetings with my doulas was excellent too. They were so calming and helped me prepare for the birth right from the beginning. My labour was really quick but Tatiana was very supportive throughout and it was great to have extra support as everything was happening so quickly. Louise supported me throughout the postpartum period and was great. She gave excellent advice and listened to all my concerns. She was very calm and non-judgmental and just provided great advice. Having a home birth, i knew that I needed more personal support to take me through the process. It wasn't as expected as the labour was really quick so there wasn't really time for all the techniques that we would have discussed. However, I think the support I received beforehand and the advice/information that I got from Tatiana and Louise really helped me prepare and I was a lot calmer than I thought I would be. They really made me believe in my ability to birth naturally. My partner was nervous about having a homebirth but having a doula meant that it took some of the pressure off him and he didn't have to remember everything. this meant he felt more prepared in advance of the birth and could concentrate more on supporting me during the birthing process. Tatiana and Louise were excellent. It was lovely to have them both share the experience and I am really grateful to them both. Their personalities really helped me feel calm and prepared for the birth and I loved Louise's visits after as it was a great opportunity to ask all the questions and chat about my concerns - she helped me in many different ways.

- First Time Mum, Cork

 

My biggest fear was losing control and being rail roaded into decisions. Having a doula and birth preferences made me feel empowered and supported. I learnt a lot throughout my pregnancy and as a result of that knowledge I felt very equipped to handle whatever came my way. I ended up delivering via emergency c-section and felt very happy to do so, not something I would have said at the beginning of my pregnancy. Having a doula is immeasurable support for you and your partner. Pregnancy and birth is such a vulnerable time for both partners, a doula is like your emotional safety net. A message my partner sent Shelley: "I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything you did yesterday. There were moments to me that were absolutely terrifying and you made them normal. I don't think you'll ever realise just how much what you do impacts people at that time and is so so helpful. Thanks again for being there not just for mam but for dads too." Shelley was wonderful from start to finish. Always offered great information and emotional support both during pregnancy and in the weeks after the birth. Email support from Mary and my interactions with Shelley were super. I always felt like I could reach out and did so which was great help.

- Laura & Stuart, First Time Parent’s, Dublin

A Gift for us could make all the difference!

Jacquie was amazing in working through my fears re positioning and showed us spinning babies exercises to do in the lead up to the birth. When I had fear of being transferred to birth in hospital Jacquie again really helped me through my fears around potentially birthing in hospital. She helped me keep my mind open to achieving a positive birth, no matter the location, and this was huge in the lead up but the support during labour was just amazing- she did hip squeezes through every surge and took charge of my TENS which was amazing practical support but also her constant motivation and voice in my ear encouraging me was so helpful.

As it was a homebirth there was a period of waiting for my toddler to be collected once labour kicked off and my husband was looking after him as well, as trying to get the pool filled so without Jacquie I'd have felt quite alone and possibly have panicked as labour was progressing fairly quickly so having her there to support me while my husband was busy was amazing and something I hadn't planned for or thought of. My partner found it amazing, he would have been skeptical as to whether it was worth the expense and first time round we unfortunately decided against getting a doula but he is fully on board now and found the support during the birth invaluable. He was much more relaxed and able to focus on being my emotional/physical support rather than trying (and failing!) to remember comfort measures etc. We would highly recommend Jacquie as a birth doula. She was so warm, friendly and reassuring in our antenatal visits and we found her very knowledgeable when it comes to all things pregnancy and birth related.

Her practical, physical and emotional support during the birth was just amazing and I genuinely feel I wouldn’t have had such a calm, positive birth experience without her. My midwife was also really impressed with Jacquie which says a lot about how good she is at her job! I would 100% recommend hiring a doula in particular from your agency as you know you are getting top class training and experience in terms of your doula and it's such a professional service.

- Second Time Mum, Homebirth Doula Support, Cork

 

When we first got in touch with DoulaCare our reason was to make sure that when the time came we would not need to worry about getting someone to mind our toddler last minute, as you never know when babies decide to make their appearance. We are so happy that we had Shelley there with us. She helped me to have the labour that I wanted. I should have called her a bit sooner, but I had no idea that my labour would progress so fast. We had no time at home; but she was amazing driving me to the hospital. It must have been stressful since I was in lots of pain. It was at the hospital that I realised how valuable a doula can be. During my last labour I received an epidural, which made it very uncomfortable and unnatural. I wanted to avoid one this time. I believe that labour is one of those times that being able to feel is important. Still not easy at all! The care that Shelley provided me at the hospital was invaluable; it helped me to cope with it. Small things make a big difference. We always wanted to have three kids and I have been telling my husband that I will never do it again, but if it does happen again I would like it to be similar to this birth. Shelley is a big reason for me feeling this way so shortly after birth.

- Second Time Mum, Dublin

 

We found the support from DoulaCare Ireland a help. Our queries were always answered very fast. We received evidence based information about anything we were struggling to understand. My main worry was howI was I going to cope with the actual birth as I had a deep fear of going though it. I hired the doula because I knew I needed the support and the experience to get ready for the birth. I also wanted my husband to have some support as I knew it was going to be challenging for him too. During the actual labor and birth, every time I felt I was going to loose it, Jacquie was there to remind me why I was doing it and I found that extremely valuable. It was also very valuable to know that she was also supporting my husband through it and I didn't need to worry about how he was coping. I would recommend a doula to anyone who considers it. I think the amount of support is invaluable especially for first time parents.

- First time Mum, Cork

 

My last 2 births were very long & quite traumatic for me but & at that time I was just assured that that was the norm with no sort of debrief so I had just accepted it . The closer it got to my due date on my 3rd pregnancy the fear of child birth started creeping in which I didnt expect . I was expecting the same sort of birth as my last 2 babies which when I spoke to Jen re assured me that was not the case ! 100% would recommend . I haven’t stopped talking about my experience to friends & family. The suggestions of different positions to help open the pelvis to let the baby move down were so helpful. You hear this all the time but I honestly didn’t think it would be instantly beneficial. Jen showed me one position while standing with my leg raised up on my opened car door while I had a contraction , 4 contractions later & my baby’s head was there ! 😊( I wasn’t even dilated before this )if I was to have another without a doubt I would be getting a doula . Pregnancy & labour is such a huge part of life & an experience you never forget so why not make it a lovely experience. My partner has said that we could not have done it without Jen . She kept him calm when things happened quite quickly & I honestly don’t think he would have coped without her there.

Louise was amazing throughout. She was always calm and well informed and able to provide us with evidence based advice. She was approachable, I felt like I could ask her anything, she was sensitive and always professional. She is very dedicated to her role and you can tell she loves what she does.A huge perk was having Louise as a familiar face when I ended up in a different hospital than planned. She knew how to keep me calm, she brought me into the labour ward while my husband parked the car and she knew what would make me feel more comfortable such as turning down the lights in the labour room. Another perk was having Louise’s support to start breastfeeding straight after the birth. If I didn’t have Louise there I probably wouldn’t have started feeding in the first hour. My partner was really impressed with Louise. He found her invaluable throughout the pregnancy, labour and birth. I was afraid/anxious in general about giving birth but especially about possibly needing an instrumental birth, episiotomy, and not getting an epidural. I ended up needing both and I wasn’t able to get an epidural but having Louise there was a huge help in keeping me calm and for support throughout. She developed a great personal rapport with us and we had a really positive experience.

- First Time Mum, Tipperary

 

I successfully had my Vbac. Tatiana was extremely instrumental in playing a big part in this. Her calm and reassuring nature comforted me when I started to doubt myself. I had told her that I absolutely didn't want an epidural for fear that it would slow down my labour. She reassured me when I thought I couldn't proceed without one. The essential oils, massage balls, birth affirmations for the wall all really helped me and I had a beautiful healthy boy naturally. A totally different experience than my first. Hire a doula 100%. I have been raving about doulas to all my friends since.

- VBAC Mum, Cork

 

I felt that it was worth the investment as I am a first time mum. I wasn't fearful but I know that there can be an information overload out there when it comes to pregnancy, birth and parenting, so just wanted to find good solid advice and support to empower my partner and self as we welcomed our little one into the world. On the day my partner was delighted to have the support. He left the labour ward a bit shell shocked and commented that he wouldn't have known what to do if our doula hadn't been there. I had a very positive birth experience. Both myself and my partner had met several times with our doula, in the run up to the birth. We had explored many of the possible interventions that may arise during the labour. For this reason, I felt very reassured going into the labour ward. With the support of our doula, I also felt confident to ask the medical staff questions about how the labour was going and which measures were being taken to deliver our little one. My birth experience left me feeling strong, empowered and connected to my body and little one as she entered the world.

- First Time Mum, Birth Doula Support

 

Jacquie and her support? I'm actually can't say in all the words how amazing she was. I'm actually sad that we finished our contract. I would give her a Doula of the Year award. Would recommend her to everyone. Choosing Jacquie was the best ever decision. Amazing support and care from her.

- Birth Doula Support

 

I work in early years and hear constant stories from mothers who have had negative birth experiences. I was determined that we would be supported for a positive birth and in control so our voices were heard in the hospital. It played out really much better than I thought. Lily was just amazing at giving us the tools and gentle guidance we needed to be confident in a new and potentially challenging situation  I feel Lily was really well matched with us. She was so warm and calm we both felt instantly comfortable with her. She was incredible during the labour and really supported me with contractions and genuine positivity of how I was doing. Which in turn kept me strong and focused on the end game...our beautiful boy. Lily also was so available to us after the birth, for questions and just checking in. We received unfaltering support. Lily was so available to us, from random questions beforehand to incredible knowledge afterwards. I am in no doubt that her help with latch and breastfeeding guidance is why its gone so well for us.

We can't thank Lily enough for all her support. I will be forever grateful for the guidance and positivity. Lily took the time to get to know us and understand how we felt about the upcoming birth. She was so calm and checked in with me during labour. It was tough going and without her there are times i would have really struggled. She kept me focused and reminded me to talk to baby when I was getting tired. She stayed with us afterwards and was very much part of our newborn bubble. She came with us to the ward and made sure we were set up. In the days and weeks after she has stayed in touch and answered any questions we had

My husband felt it was a huge help to have doula support , particularly afterwards when we embarked on the road of first time parents. Lily filled him with practical knowledge that he likes to tell everyone he meets! He is still fascinated about the smell from the baby's head helping with milk production!

- First Time Mum, Birth Doula Support

Louise was invaluable in pointing me in the right direction for evidence based information that made me feel prepared and allowed me to develop birth preferences. I struggled with antenatal midwife appointments, I never felt heard or supported. After each visit a conversation with Louise allowed to move forwards with positivity and safe in the knowledge that I had someone on my side. Louise helped by supporting my preparation and also the knowledge that one person who I had chosen and who had taken the time to understand my perspective and preferences would be supporting me before and during birth. Given how the birth played out it was a huge relief to have Louise to support me. The Labour ward was busy and the CNM was vocal about her stress on my arrival. My midwife left several times for different reasons so I had people coming and going and eventually her shift ended but Louise was constant. An unexpected perk of having a doula was allowing my husband to get a break to eat something knowing that I still had support. I would have found it difficult if he left and I didn't have that support. When I ended up having a C- Section, Louise’s support to my husband while he was waiting was invaluable. Also, her support to begin breastfeeding in recovery got us off to a positive and gentle start. We would highly recommend Louise, her approach suited both my husband and I. She is kind and gentle, her support was never intrusive but yet she seemed to always have a suggestion right when it was most needed. I appreciated the quality of the information she provided in the antenatal visits, she always sent links to evidence based information on any of the topics we had discussed.

- Tracey, First Time Mum, Co. Waterford

 

From the first phone call I had with Mary I felt like it would be a good choice as she gave me a lot of time and we had a really good talk about my previous birth and reasons for wanting a doula on my second birth. It felt like I would be in good hands. Although I didn’t get vbac I feel having a doula helped me to deal with the second birth more easily and to be prepared for any outcome. I had a much more positive experience for my second birth. Our doula was very professional but very friendly and easy to get along with, I felt she very much guided with information and helped me to make the best decisions about my birth preferences. Was 100% supportive of vbac but also helped me to be prepared for other outcomes. Very calm and reassuring 

Rachel was with us during the birth as our doula was with another birth. She was very calming and supportive, let my husband have a few short breaks, was good at reminding me about some of my preferences and making sure everything was communicated to me that was being done. Very positive influence in the delivery room. Definitely hire a doula if you can, you can never have too much support for your birth. It’s not as awkward as you think it may be at the start!

- Second Time Mum, Co. Kildare

 

After speaking to Mary on the phone I felt like she answered all my questions and was really helpful which set me at ease. I felt confident that Mary would be able to find the right doula for me. As a first time mum, navigating a healthcare system in a country where i had no family or friends and had only recently moved was quite daunting. Having a doula really helped me work through that fear by providing support and resources. 

Our doula was a very calming presence - we found her incredibly relaxed and this helped allay our own fears and stresses. Also knowing that, when it came to the delivery, she would be able to support and encourage us to remember our choices and options when we might have forgotten them ourselves! Our DoulaCare doula also went above the call of duty - for example by attending a La Leche League meeting with me. We really enjoyed working with our doula, it felt like a fun preparation rather than working through worries/stresses.

My partner found the doula support very helpful. He is quite a worrier and again found our doula a very calming presence. I think he found her support during the delivery invaluable - he was a bit out of his depth but our doula really helped show him what he could do to help me.

We thought our doula was fantastic. Very thorough, knowledgeable and relaxed. She also went out of her way to find out answers to any questions she didn't know.

- Joanna Betts & Paul Allison (& baby Astrid), Dublin

 

We have been so blessed to have Jen with us for the birth of both of our beautiful children, Mark 2 1/2 and baby Amy born 5th Sept this year. Jen I cannot thank you enough for being there with us again, as you’re the busiest and best mommy I know with beautiful little Kayla. Baby Amy kept us waiting, and wondering, and Jen kept us calm and reassured and let me know it was ok to rest and let Amy come in her own time rather than push through labour with exhaustion. A very different birth to my first but Jen helped us through all the stages and knew the natural birth I wanted and the rest I needed to get there. I think my husband will never forget the car journey into hospital, me in the back on all 4s in labour and Jen in the front pumping! He was actually wishing to be pulled over!! That’s Jen, she cares so much for people that she helped us with our birth while still pumping to feed Kayla.

Jen you’re an inspiration as to how kind and good and caring people can be, I’m so so glad you’ve come into our world :)

- Ruth, Second Time Mum, Dublin

For birth, Anita was with me for the whole labour (which lasted 24 hours). It would have been a scary experience without her but her presence and support made me go through it with confidence. She took care of everything (she helped me go through the contractions, at the hospital, she knew where to go and what to do) and everyone (myself, my husband and even my mom). I totally recommend having a doula to all of my friends. Giving birth and becoming a parent can be such a scary experience, it is truely great to have someone with experience to rely on.

- First Time Mum, Dublin

 

“I choose DoulaCare Ireland because of the trust and confidence I hold in Mary when it comes to all things birth related. I knew that Mary was committed to pairing me with a doula that would suit my needs as an individual. I would have loved to have Mary as my doula, but as I couldn't, using her agency was the next best thing! I knew I would have the support of my doula, and also Mary. DoulaCare Ireland were both warm and professional in all our interactions. I felt very listened to by Mary in what I needed in terms of support. Being pregnant and becoming a mam is so transformative that it can, at times, feel overwhleming. Knowning I could reach out to Mary & Jen was a great comfort to me. They were fantastic in supporting me. As a sexual assault survivor, I felt a lot of anxiety around consent in the hospital. I knew I would prefer a female doctor perform exams, but I was worried in the moment I may feel too shy to press for my request. I knew that having a doula present would make that less likely.

Secondly, my birth took a completely different path to what we would have liked, and having my doula there helped me to regain control of the situation. I was able to advocate for myself to keep as much as my birth plan as possible, which added to my birth being such a wonderful experience. I am not sure I would have had the confidence to do so without my doula there, particularly when I was met with resistance from some of the staff members. As I met my doula from 20 weeks pregnant, we really developed a great bond. I felt very safe and secure in my choice of doula and I knew she was the perfect fit for me. My induction started on Wednesday morning and lasted 44 hours. During that time my doula and I had a great laugh and wonderful chats. I felt supported and excited throughout the entire process, and when I did have the odd wobble, my doula knew just the thing to say to get me back on my positive track. Having used the services of DoulaCare Ireland on this pregnancy, I would never again give birth without a doula. There is nothing my doula couldn't have done for me. I felt complete and utterly supported throughout the entire process. My husband was skeptical at first but ultimately he found my doula to be invaluable.

As an expectant parent, having a doula was an extremely helpful and pleasing experience. During the pregnancy we learned so much and were able to form our own plans accordingly. During the birth my doula played so many roles as an expert, partner and companion. We simply cannot imagine having done it without her. My doula was an incredible source of knowledge and support. She was the perfect blend of professional and warm. We felt we could put our complete trust in her, which is essential when you are welcoming someone into such an intimate moment of your life. We are absolutely delighted to have had a doula be a part of our son's birth. And we are forever grateful to her and DoulaCare Ireland.

- First Time Mum & Partner, Dublin

 

I found having Cat as our Doula to be very helpful. I was skeptical with regard to the benefit of having a Doula but when labour started I was delighted to have the extra support. To have someone there that has been through child birth that can maintain a calm & cool presence throughout a big and potentially very stressful life event was invaluable. My wife's labour was long and somewhat complicated and having a Doula there to provide reassurance and support meant a lot.

- First Time Dad, Dublin

 

Our doula’s constant presence without being overbearing was wonderful during the labour. She was fully focused on supporting me without overstepping at all. Before I went into labour and after the birth, our doula was available and attentive. I felt like she was genuinely invested in my wellbeing and she provided me with some very helpful information and resources both before and after I gave birth. Our doula has a very calming presence and this really helped me to stay calm during certain stressful moments. I had a number midwives and doctors coming and going during the labour so it was very helpful to have our doula there as a constant support from a woman that I felt that I knew and trusted. I felt that I didn't have to worry about my husband getting burnt out during my long labour as our doula was there and he was able to take some breaks that allowed him to be more present at the most important moments.

My partner was a bit skeptical at first, but he really found our doula to be a very valuable support over the course of my pregnancy and the birth. Having our doula at the birth allowed him to take breaks when he needed and he found her support of me very helpful, especially in the more stressful moments where he would have felt a bit lost in the action.

I found having our Doula to be very helpful. When labour started I was delighted to have the extra support. To have someone there that has been through child birth that can maintain a calm & cool presence throughout a big and potentially very stressful life event was invaluable.

Our doula chosen by DoulaCare Ireland worked out to be the perfect doula for us. She was living locally and so was available quickly whenever she was needed. She was dedicated and diligent in all of the information she provided to us. She managed to strike a balance between being professional and personable and we grew very fond of her throughout the process. I felt like she went over and above to help me. She was so supportive when I was overdue and feeling frustrated and vulnerable, she sent me the perfect article that helped me to put everything into perspective. She provided me with unwavering support throughout the labour and helped a lot before and afterwards too by providing me with resources and contacts (acupuncturist and lactation consultant details) that helped hugely. Her calm and comforting presence was exactly what I needed during my late pregnancy and during the birth. I wouldn't hesitate to hire our doula again and to recommend her.

- First Time Mum, Dublin

What can I say about Mary Tighe? The best place to start would be to tell you that she’s simply a wonderful person.  In addition to possessing the qualities that make for an ideal person to have at your birth – patience, caring, attentiveness – she is also a very skilled and knowledgeable doula. 

I contacted Mary early on in my pregnancy because I wanted someone at my birth, in addition to the midwives and my partner, who would look after me. I’m from the US and I wouldn’t have any family with me before, during or after the birth and I was a little worried. I wanted someone who would know what to do and would take care of me in the little ways that really make a difference. 

I also have a major phobia of hospitals/doctors/anything medical so I needed someone who was knowledgeable who I knew would stay with me from beginning to end and provide support to myself and my partner during my labour. In our conversations leading up to the birth I found Mary’s energy to be contagious and inspiring and I actually started to look forward to the birth with confidence. 

She helped me get organized and come up with a plan. Once I was in labour she was present when I needed her, invisible when I needed space, and forever calm. When I felt “stuck” she was able to help move me on and when I had a shaky moment she helped me find the focus and the confidence to keep going.  I can truthfully say I had a fantastic birth!

While it was hard at times I feel that Mary’s help was essential in helping me to have the positive experience that I not only wanted but I ended up with.

- Gwen & Jaimie, First Time Parents, Cork 

 

I first met Mary when she gave the Gentlebirth workshop I attended during my first pregnancy and I was in awe of her knowledge of and passion for the birthing process. When I opted for a homebirth on my second baby, Mary was recommended to me and I knew that she'd be a fantastic doula, as I remembered her as being very calm, caring and well-informed. Mary's support towards the end of my pregnancy gave myself and my husband the confidence to approach our daughter's birth, not with anxiety or fear, but with joy and anticipation

During the birth of our daughter, Mary was a fantastic support, offering words of encouragement exactly when needed and helping me stay comfortable and relaxed with massage and use of essential oils, yet her presence never interfered with the intimacy of the moment - we felt we had our private times together as a family throughout. On a practical side, Mary took charge of filling and emptying the birth pool, cleaning and tidying up the room afterwards, preparing a cosy nest in our living room for us to snuggle up to our new bundle of joy and making sure we all had something to eat and drink.  I also have her to thank for the beautiful photos that capture wonderfully the special moment we welcomed our daughter into this world. For weeks afterwards she continued being there for us and has always been at the other end of the phone or e-mail. Overall the birth of our daughter was one of the most wonderful, empowering and emotional moments in my life and it was Mary's reassuring presence that made all the difference. Indeed afterwards, her words of support and encouragement made me feel like superwoman!

- Regina & Brian, Second Time Parents, Waterford

 

Jen was our birth and postpartum doula, I really wanted to feel supported for birth and after by someone I could trust and feel open and relaxed with as we had difficulty getting pregnant so every moment for me was precious. After meeting Jen I just felt relieved! She explained everything so simply, helped us decide how we'd like things to go and  prepare for things happening differently. Our birth was amazing, and exciting! Jen helped us labour at home as long as I wanted and was with us every step in the hospital. She was amazing, and integrated so well with the hospital team, the next day the midwifes were all asking after her. 

I had serious complications directly post birth, Jen supported my husband, explained to him what was happening to me and what the doctors were doing and helped him with our son. She stayed with us until I was ok, and called the next day with the best sandwich and cakes I've ever had!!! 

Our little boy is now 1 and we still talk about how amazing it was to have Jen with us, her kindness, support and true caring helped us have a beautiful birth, and navigate the early days. I cannot say enough good things about Jen, as a doula she is kind, supportive, caring, knowledgeable and respectful. 

- Ruth & Conor, Dublin 

 

I met Mary through mutual friends in 2011 and after discovering she was a doula and what that meant I decided I would hire her when I had another baby. I had an emergency C-Section in 2010 for our first daughter’s birth due to “failure to progress” and felt very strongly that I wanted a VBAC for our next child. I had a lot of anxiety about the labour and birth and having Mary’s support really helped alleviate that. It gave me a huge amount of confidence that I could do everything within my power to achieve a vbac and the knowledge that if things went differently on the day I would be ok with it emotionally. 

The most helpful part of having a doula was the comfort measures during labour – specifically the counter pressure – my husband just couldn’t get it right but Mary seems to have the magic touch! Also, Mary was able to ground me when I was starting to panic on occasion, simply with her words or touch.

An unexpected perk was the wonderful photos Mary took! I cherish them dearly.

Mary’s support to my husband and I during my pregnancy, labour and postnatal period were invaluable to us. She never told us what to do, but gave us the information and knowledge so we could make fully informed choices and know that they were the right ones for us and our baby.

I know my husband found it hugely helpful that he could step out if needed for food or the toilet and know I was still supported by someone we trusted and knew.

I have recommended Mary to lots of women since first having her as my doula in 2013 and what I would say to any friend is that Mary has a wealth of knowledge, skills and a calming, gentle presence.

- Jacquie & Graham, Cork

Mary’s knowledge of all things birth related is invaluable. That and her warm, enthusiastic approach helped us immensely when we were most vulnerable. Our baby girl arrived in a calm, gentle way and it’s an experience we go back to very often. I’d recommend a doula, and Mary especially, to all first time parents

- Karolina & Maciej, First Time Parents, Cork 

 

I can't speak highly enough about Lorna Coleman and her services as a Doula. As someone who has no family in Ireland, I initially sought out the the use of a Doula, to be a guide and support for general questions I might have during my pregnancy that I would normally ask my mother or sister, but quickly it was obvious that I was also in need of a much greater support system. In my 27th week the baby moved position into my lower hip and caused me to have serve, temporarily life-altering pain with every step and movement I made. I had to stop walking almost completely, went on 80-100% bedrest and most weeks would leave the house only once or twice. Lorna was able to help me maintain a positive outlook when all seemed bleak, she answered all my questions, got me in touch with a wonderful lactation consultant, assisted me in finding standing / sitting positions to help alleviate the pain, and was, most weeks, the person I turned to when struggling the most. I could not recommend her services as a Doula more. And the icing on the cake?! She teaches 'mum & baby' classes at MyWellBeing (where I attended Pregnancy Pilates classes) of which I'll be attending soon!

- Pamela Cranford, mum to Henry born in April 2016

 

I feel so privileged to have had Mary as our doula for Diego’s birth. Mary is a fantastic doula with an easy manner, a warm, reassuring presence and a wealth of knowledge and wisdom about birth. I felt nurtured and supported throughout my pregnancy and I really looked forward to the birth. During my pregnancy I had choices to make for the birth and Mary was able to guide me towards reliable, evidence based sources of information so I could make the best decisions for us. I have the most wonderful image of my labour that will always stay with me. I was standing with one arm across Mary´s shoulder and the other across my husband´s as they supported me during a surge. For me this is the essence of what a doula does and how she can support the mother and her birth partner in labour and birth. When I look back on Diego´s birth I remember feeling supported, loved, safe and empowered. Having had two beautiful doula supported births I would highly encourage pregnant women to consider the benefits of that kind of continuous support (there is plenty of research on this!). I couldn’t recommend Mary more highly to anyone considering doula care.

- Caroline Sweeney Di Domenico, Second Time Mum, Cork 

 

Since I was a child I always had an interest in birth and never feared it. When I became pregnant I knew I wanted to have my baby at home but was also very aware that my husband and I needed the right support in order to make it happen. For us, hiring a doula was an easy decision, choosing Mary was an even easier one. Mary was experienced, educated, open and kind, she never pushed her opinions on us but laid out all options, facts and research to allow us to make informed choices ourselves. We also attended her Gentle Birth workshop which was a great help particularly in allowing my husband to become a more confident and aware birth partner. During my pregnancy I really valued being able to call and discuss any niggling thoughts or issues with Mary and always felt supported during my pregnancy. During labour, Mary supported us both, reminding my husband to rest, assisting me with positions and cooling me down. There were times I was in my own bubble and her presence was so subtle and unobtrusive I was not aware of her being there yet had she not been there her absence would have been palpable. With Mary's help and support we welcomed our daughter at home but knowing that she would have been with us should we have transferred to hospital was a huge comfort to me, an independent voice we trusted to assist us in navigating unfamiliar territory. The word doula means 'with woman' and I truly felt that, an empowering feeling I find difficult to describe now. My birth experience was beautiful, drug free and I have no regrets. If you are thinking of hiring a doula I would not hesitate, it will only create a more positive and empowering birth experience for you which in my opinion is priceless.

- Louisa and Kieran, Cork

 

My biggest fear was having a c-section. I had a lot of anxiety around this. At every step of the way Mary reassured me and helped me to deal with this fear. Whilst she helped prepare me for as low an intervention birth as possible, she also gave information on c-sections that helped me to understand them better and allay my fears. In the end I had an emergency C-section after induction. Although my birth experience was dramatic at times - it did not feel traumatic. I feel this is down to my knowledge and support from Mary, and the subsequent confidence I felt in myself when talking to my health care team. I felt we were all on the one team. I felt very lost going through the healthcare system for pregnancy. I felt like I had no personal connection to anyone and very little continuity between appointments. Mary was always just a phone call or text away, with support and understanding that came from knowing my situation. With every new interaction with HCPs I had to recount my (long) medical history - i found this tiring and trying. I was able to connect to Mary after these experiences and feel a real human connection that was sorely missing from my out-patient experience. 

- Cork Mum, 2015

Initially we went to antenatal classes with Mary.  I hired Mary as a Birth doula support but she also gave me Postpartum support.  I had previously heard about Mary and immediately wanted only her.  Thankfully she was available and was all and more than we expected, and we had such an amazing positive birth experience in her company.  Although my labour was a long and exhausting one, Mary made it much easier and made the whole experience so positive and relaxing for both my husband and I. 

I hired Mary for support, reassurance and encouragement throughout my labour.  I wanted her to empower me throughout the birth both physically and emotionally…….. and that she did!  I also wanted her to be a support for my husband as this was a new experience for him also.  I wanted us both to be as comfortable and relaxed as possible and to just enjoy the whole experience.

There is very little Mary will not do for you!  From the initial meeting we had with her right through to Postpartum my husband and I had a lovely relaxed relationship with her.  She came over to our house during the early stages of labour and she was like‘Mary Poppins’.  She had so many comforts and concoctions in her bag to provide all the physical comforts and informational support we needed right throughout the labour.   She was on call 24/7 for 2 weeks before our estimated due date which was always so reassuring.  Mary provided informational support to me while completing my birth preference and provided me with all the latest research (evidence based) on my options available to me.  At one stage I remember Mary being on her hand and knees giving me support to lean on her through my surges.  In between my surges I spend majority of the time laughing and chatting to both Mary and my husband, and they even had to put up with my Jamaican impersonations all thanks to that amazing ‘gas and air’!!! 

My biggest fear throughout the labour was that I would leave anxiety and worry take over such an overwhelming and empowering experience.  With my husbands and Marys company this was not the case - I was more relaxed and focused throughout.  An unexpected perk of having a doula is getting a lovely massage here and there, having all the appropriate gentlebirth tracks played for you at the appropriate times, giving you positioning & focus techniques and more importantly always giving you that evidence based information to help you decide on options available to you during the pregnancy.  Sometimes during labour when you’re putting all your energy into focusing on birthing your baby it’s having that extra person to give you that vital information to assist you in decisions which makes your labour so much more fulfilling and empowering.  Mary also was there to allow my husband get some rest and food throughout my long labour.  They both worked as a team throughout the whole birth and that also made me so much more relaxed and in effect allowed me to rest also.

If anyone was considering getting a doula, I would definitely recommend Mary.  My husband and I would love to have her for ‘baby number 2’ in the future. She gave both me and my husband the help, support and advice we needed to make our birth such an amazing experience.  We were provided with all the information we needed so that we could make the best decisions for me and our baby.  She gave me the confidence to ask questions which definitely provided us with the positive birth experience we needed.  She also assisted me in the Postpartum, help and support which was greatly appreciated.

In my experience Mary is an expert at her job and her professionalism, good humour and great personality were very comforting throughout our whole experience. From my partners experience, Mary helped and guided him so much and was a great support through the whole experience. He knew I was in safe hands while he took short breaks to get some food and cat naps during the labour. He felt she was a great ally during the experience which made him all the more confident in the labour room.

- Kerry & Mark, Cork, 2016

 

While I was initially unconvinced about hiring a Doula, Mary was amazing. We hired Mary because my wife’s first labour was long and difficult, and we were both anxious. She provided really useful advice and information before and after the birth, which supported me to support my wife. 

She couldn’t have done more during the labour. She created a relaxing atmosphere at home and the hospital – it was so calm we had doctors and nurses coming into our room during the labour to relax! 

And when things ramped up Mary helped with massage and positioning. She was never overbearing, and gave us our own space whilst being on hand for support. At the end of the day I was surprised by her energy and resilience: she never took a break and stayed with us right to the end. I was wrecked but she never tired. I’d recommend Mary without hesitation.

- James, Cork, 2016

 

 I have had Mary as my doula for the birth of both of my children and cannot recommend her highly enough for anyone thinking of hiring a doula. From the very first meeting with Mary it was like sitting down with a old friend for a chat. She is friendly, warm and so good natured and a fountain of knowledge for all things birth related. On both pregnancies the antenatal/birth care and support  she provided was fantastic. I have had both a hospital and home birth and found Mary an essential support for both myself and my husband. I felt secure, nurtured and listened to and felt the extra support she provided invaluable.

- Deirdre, Cork, 2017

 

Jen and Mary took the time to understand our living situation, fears and expectations about birth, and lifestyle. Matching us with someone from the service was appealing to us. Having a doula is absolutely worth it to help guide you through the experience and help you feel more supported. Having someone to help guide us through all the research and opinions out there on answers to our questions with evidence based research. Also, to remind us to take a step back and evaluate our thoughts and decisions. The helpful check ins, encouragement and advice we received especially during the on-call period were a huge benefit. Our doula was so kind and supportive to us throughout my pregnancy and birth process. I had a lot of questions which she always answered knowledgeably and provided ample resources to make decisions and form opinions. Despite having a Caesarean section, I felt calmer than anticipated knowing all the discussions we’d had. She helped us through the first few days after birth with tons of love and encouragement. We love Emer!

- Allison Persiani, First Time Mum, D. 7 

I hired Mary for a combination of birth doula support and post partum support. I wanted extra support for my birth partner, as well as myself. Plus I knew that having a doula reduces the likelihood of medical intervention in childbirth and that was really important to me. As an "older" mum, I knew there would be more pressure not to go to or beyond my due date, and I wanted to have a natural childbirth. Mary was amazing. I am so glad I hired her and would recommend that no woman goes into childbirth without a doula, as result!  My biggest fear was that I would be induced and end up having a C-section. I was induced because there was meconium in my waters- but Mary's support and back massages got me through it. I only took gas and air at the end, when things slowed down because the baby was in the posterior position. Without those back massages, it would have been an entirely different story!  Mary was also there to support my birth partner. It was fantastic to have that additional support when things got stressful, and to help rebalance the atmosphere into one that was more restful and allowed me to focus. I would urge anyone having a baby to hire a doula immediately. My sister- my birth partner- is also telling everyone she knows to hire a doula. I think that says it all! I am so glad I hired Mary- I think my birth story would have been entirely different without her

- Cliona, Cork, November 2016

 

Jacquie was my doula for the birth of my son, and I can’t imagine the experience without her. She was the perfect support and encouragement that I needed during very a stressful time in my life!

Leading up to the birth I found her to be a great wealth of information. I particularly appreciated her respect for what I wanted, and her ability to help me navigate the waters without taking the wheel. I hoped for a hospital birth with minimal interventions, and wanted to labour at home for as long as possible. Jacquie was very supportive of this and had so many suggestions to help me along. My baby was breech fairly late in my pregnancy, and the hospital wanted me to schedule a section (which terrified me!). Jacquie gave me so many resources to try to encourage the little one to flip, and finally he did! She was very down to earth and realistic about things, and surprisingly what helped me the most during that time is she helped me to prepare for what would happen if a section were necessary. I found it really empowering to plan for it, and accept it might happen for any number of reasons.

During my labour and delivery she was so comforting, encouraging me throughout, helping me through contractions with hip squeezes and position changes. During a shift change which sent me into a panic, she was there to keep me grounded. I don’t know how I would have done that without her, I was beside myself! She was there at every turn, for over 14 hours, and helped everything go as seamlessly as possible.

Right before the delivery I came out of the bathroom to a very calm beautiful room, Jacquie had set up the tea lights and dimmed the overheads. It was really peaceful and calm I nearly forgot I was in a hospital altogether. My son was born at 10:17pm, beautiful, bright pink and healthy! I can’t recommend her highly enough. She’s a part of the family now as far as I’m concerned!

- Jackie Matthew, Cork, 2016

 

Mary was excellent. She provided a calming influence on what was a very stressful occasion. She gave us the confidence to speak up about our birth plan and have the hospital follow our wishes rather than their procedure.

- Benny & Hazel, Waterford

Mary's warmth and kindness shines through when you meet her. Her gentle, informed approach empowered both my husband and I to have the birthing experience of our choice. She took the pressure off my husband to be the perfect birth partner, then guided him during the birth on how to be the best support for me. She was a source of comfort and encouragement for me which helped me achieve my goal of an unmedicated birth. She is also a great masseuse which is a massive bonus! She has a wealth of breastfeeding knowledge which really helped postpartum. I'll always have fond memories of my birthing experience with Mary.

- Kathryn, Feb 2017

 

I chose to have a doula because I had previous birth trauma and needed support from someone who knew the system and someone who could support my husband as it was his first and my second. I needed to know I would have someone with me if he needed a break, that I trusted. We found the support provided by DoulaCare Ireland wonderful. Mary stayed in touch and was incredibly friendly and easy to talk to, helped me access PTSD resources for birth trauma and paired me with the perfect Doula for me. We regularly say it was the best money we ever spent. 

The birth was actually almost identical to my first babies but the care was so different it didn't cause Trauma and it made a big difference having Zoe there. 

Meeting my doula Zoe, put me at ease and gave me a sense of strength. Answering endless questions. Straight talk about what she could and couldn't do for me as a doula. Being able to check if stuff was normal or not. Support during 3 prodormal labour false starts, etc. She was supportive after the birth, and popped out to check on me twice to make sure I could process the birth well. Was all incredibly important. 

My partner found the doula support invaluable. She was super helpful and practical. I wouldn't have wanted to do it without her supporting us. I am done having babies, but if I had to do it again, there's no question I would need Zoe with us.

- Second Time Mum, Cork January 2018

 

 Overall I can’t say how grateful I am for DoulaCare Ireland and the service ye run. I feel very supported in a like-minded community who want the most positive experience for our family. It’s an incredible feeling and goes a long way to having me so calm about this pregnancy and delivery. No matter what thought pops into my head in the wee hours of the night I know there is a caring support there and that means a huge amount. 

- Second Time Mum, Dublin, Feb 2018

We found the service provided by DoulaCare Ireland excellent, we were always offered support and help. We decided to hire a doula after a traumatic birth experience first time around in Rotunda. We were hoping having a doula would cushion things for us in terms of interaction with staff, giving us confidence to speak up and most of all provide some kind of continuity of care where there was a familiar face throughout. Also as we didn't have family around, we needed a backup solution in terms of having peace of mind in case we were stuck for someone to mind the toddler. Worst case, husband could mind the toddler and I could have a peaceful delivery with doula by my side and not be alone. 

We found the support of a doula very helpful. In our case, it was having a calming presence during the unplanned three day labour induction process. We believe having a doula helped me avoid a c-section by default (I was very close to just throwing in the towel and requesting one at times). 

I'd recommend having a doula, as it creates the dynamic of a birth 'team' rather than the couple being alone.  It really made for a lovely dynamic in the delivery room between husband, doula, midwife and I. 

 My partner enjoyed having Jen to lean on, I think, to help support him in supporting me. He and Jen worked together during labour to get things done (go buy a peanut ball for example) and to take breaks and I believe he enjoyed having missions and clear goals, and being fully included in the birth from the very beginning rather than on the sidelines like last time. At no point did he ever give the impression that he felt pushed out or anything. He has always said he thought this was a great experience. 

Jen was warm and caring, very easy to get along with and always professional. We would love to work with Jen again in the future. I would also like to mention that I met Susan and that I very much liked her too and would have been comfortable working with her, had Jen not been available on the day.

- Monica & Cormac, Dublin, 2018

 

I’m beyond grateful to Debbie and DoulaCare Ireland for our whole experience. There were so many ways that having a doula made a difference for us. We’ve been raving to anyone who will listen how significant our experience has been! 

I’m still on a bit of a high (over 3 weeks later) from the natural birth experience. I can’t believe it happened and how much easier recovery has been. Debbie was a big part of making this happen. The Coombe and the Domino midwives were fantastic but the continuity of relationship with Debbie and yourself was really key to how positive my experience was. I keep writing Aoife’s birthstory in my head and adding details - it’s probably the length of all the Harry Potter books now😆 

Our biggest concern was that the birth would become a non-mother led, un-gentlebirth, medical experience. Our doula heard our concerns and made it possible to stay at home longer and feel more in control and supported during the birthing experience. 

Our doula quickly established an intimate, supportive, and trusting relationship with both of us, which meant that we felt relaxed and comfortable throughout. Debbie was kind, helpful, reassuring, knowledgeable, and fun. We are grateful, and indebted to her. We would give her the highest of recommendations. The depth of the bond that was formed was more than just the birthing experience. The post-partum visits were an extra bonus that we hadn't considered initially.

It is absolutely worth hiring a doula. You get more than just someone supporting you and your partner at the birth. And you have a team behind you. Whilst it might seem like a luxury to get a doula, the service really makes a significantly positive contribution to both the mother's and partner's birthing experience. It's a decision that you won't regret, and having had a doula, it is hard to imagine not using the service again. It goes beyond just the birthing experience.

We were delighted with the service, and especially impressed with the contact from Mary throughout, the provision of a back-up doula, and the extended support of all the doulas.

- Second Time Mum, Dublin, Feb 2018

 

I wanted to have a VBAC after an ECS with my first and had a fear of the hospital 'policies' stopping me from having this opportunity. Having Jacquie in the last couple of months of pregnancy really helped me even just being able to pick up the phone, especially as she had been through the same experience as I had. She was always so supportive but not scared of giving me advice to stay calm and things too which I needed at some stages! She was also very practical with supporting spinning babies excercies and had so much knowledge to share. During the birth she was so amazing but never intruded on the role my husband played either, just amazing. I didn't achieve my VBAC but had a much better experience through having Jaquie with me and the breastfeeding support straight after and in the following days was so great and has enabled me to breastfeed with great success (so far!) - I can't recommend Jaquie enough.

- Second Time Mum. Cork, June 2018