“What an experience and what an amazing person to be there to support us through it. The birth of our first child was something that nothing could have prepared us for. We did the classes, read the books, and attended hypno-birthing but nothing really prepares you for what you are about to experience. At 1am in the morning when the contractions started, we said to ourselves, what now? After a short call to our midwife, she told us to remain calm and labour at home – it was early days. Sure, we knew that is what we wanted to do, but now we were here – in the middle of the night – what now? After a text to Abbey to update her on our situation, within a second she was on the phone guiding us through what to do and reassuring us everything was okay. Letting us know that she was on call for when we needed her, making us feel like we were not in this alone. Thirty minutes later, waters were broken, and Abbey was on route. At 2am Abbey arrived at the door with a calming influence, swiftly making her way upstairs to see the mum to be and set up a safe space for labouring to begin. With essential oils diffusing, relaxation music playing and the tens machine in full throttle we laboured at home together until 6am that morning when we got in the car to beat the peak hour traffic. Having Abbey’s support through the car ride to continue breathing exercises, staying in the hospital room while my husband parked the car and setting up the birth suite to make us feel more comfortable was something we had never considered. She was there through every contraction, breath, and push, taking care of anything she could to allow us to focus our energy on us and birthing our boy. Birth is a dynamic process and having her there to support us in our decision making with the midwives in relation to our birth preferences in the heat of the moment is something we are so grateful for. It is an emotionally and physically draining process for both mum and dad, having someone in the room who knows you, what you want and how to support and nurture you is invaluable. From her pre-birth visits, our birthing experience, and post-natal visits she has been truly amazing. We had never considered a doula until we met Abbey and we will certainly be asking her to come on the journey with us for our next baby. She is supportive, practical minded and is guided by your views and wishes without serving her own belief or agenda. For anyone considering a doula, we could not recommend Abbey enough, she is a very special person.”