"In this life, we cannot do great things.
We can only do small things, with great love."
Mother Teresa 

Thank you so much for the time you have spent with Michael and I, preparing for the birth of Olivia Rose.  Your guidance and support gave us the confidence to have the birth experience we really wanted.  I knew I was safe in your hands and even at the toughest moments of the birth, I always felt reassured by your words and presence.  You were an integral part of my birth team and I will always think of you with love and gratitude for the role you played in the birth of our precious little girl - Tahnee

 I started our doula experience by asking "What is a doula and why do we need one?"  Since then, through your generous and gentle time spent with us, your considered and invaluable tips and your wonderfully suggested options (rather than overbearing advice...), Tahnee and I have grown as a couple in understanding childbirth for the amazing natural gift that it is.  I can't thank you enough for all the practical tools, information and support that empowered Tahnee and I to be able to achieve the most positive birth experience we could've hoped for... - Michael 

 21/5/08

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Nik and I would like to send you our heartfelt thanks for your support and help throughout my pregnancy and labour in October 2007.

Although Nik and I were elated at finally conceiving; the thought of my spinal fusion, coupled with no family support made me extremely anxious about the birth.

On the big day, although we had plans for a natural birth with no pain relief, things did not pan out as expected.  After 12 hours of labour, 7 hours of constant nausea and vomiting, a general anaesthetic and ultimately a caesarean, you were with us every step of the way.  Your support towards Nik guided him into doing things … that helped me cope enormously.  Nik was so thankful to have you there; he said he didn’t know what he would have done if he hadn’t been able to play ‘tag’ with you and take a break!

You were so calm and unobtrusive, and managed to take video footage that I am now so grateful to have!  You made sure that all of my wishes were carried out when I wasn’t awake.  You stayed with Nik and supported him with Millie whilst I was in recovery.  You never left us until we were ready, even though you were exhausted.

Not once did I ever feel you were not totally 100% there for me.  I felt completely surrounded with love and support, and although the birth was not what I had planned, I had been prepared for that and still felt it was the most amazing experience of my life.  In so many ways, this is because of you.

Cathy, throughout my pregnancy, from the time we contacted you, to the end of the labour you were our rock.  You guided me in my birth plan, provided me with information I asked for, and encouraged me to be prepared for the unexpected.  I would not have coped half as well, if it had not been for you.

How can I thank you enough for the wonderful experience you helped us have?  You are a true angel.  All I can say is that I will recommend you to every person I know looking for a doula.  You are exceptional!

With so much love, and thanks,

Jolene, Nik and Amelia

28/1/08

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Cathy Cook is the amazing doula who shared in the birth experience of our little girl Esha Lili on 3rd January 2007.

We first met Cathy after our initial phone conversations about a month prior to the birth. We live in the North West and had to travel to Perth for the birth. Cathy ensured that from the outset we, as first timers, felt comfortable and together the three of us discussed the expectations of her role as the doula at the birth. One of our main reasons for employing a doula was to ensure that Gavin had a person to reassure and guide him in ways that he could support me through the birthing process, and in being as much a part of the whole process as he possibly could. We were on the Community Midwifery Program and planned a home water birth. We instantly gelled with Cathy’s energy, positivity and humour. Even though we had a ‘plan’ we had no idea of the details and Cathy was really helpful with our questions. She even suggested some possible labouring positions for us to try in preparation. Cathy understood that what was most important to us was that our baby was born into a calm, relaxed and happy environment, full of images we’d brought of the landscapes from our northwest home. We were also planning on using homeopathic remedies to ease the labour process for the two of us, which she was very supportive of, even offering to bring aromatherapy oils to enhance the mood.

When our labour finally began and we made initial contact with Cathy, she was calm, excited and supportive. We decided to spend the first part of the labour process together, calling on our support crew, Cathy and our midwife, when it got to the exciting stage! We called Cathy out twice during the two day labour (!!!) both times were early in the morning. She helped with massage, positive affirmations and reassurance for both Gavin and I. Her non-intrusive manner and calm were beautiful. We both felt very supported. Her advice to Gavin that he needed to encourage me to breathe through my contractions was instrumental in giving Gavin the confidence to suggest this to me. As a result, when our support crew left us to labour together quietly on the first day, Gavin talked me through my contractions, and even helped me to get a few hours of much needed sleep in between them. He would not have had the confidence to help me manage the pain without Cathy’s encouragement. Those few hours we spent alone in labour, were relaxed and calm and very special, as Gavin was my sole support. He’s, quietly, very proud of this.

Unfortunately, the labour did not go as we planned and by the second day I was drained, and not dilating. So we made the decision to go to King Edward Hospital to ensure our baby’s journey would continue safely. This was a really frightening decision for us, but one that Cathy supported us through, traveling with us in the car and talking me through my rapid contractions. When we arrived at the hospital and were taken into care, Cathy assured us that she would remain with us, doing all she could to support us in her role. She drove back to our home and tidied up as we continued our labour journey, emptying the birthing pool, and bringing the images of home to have in our labour space at the hospital. She ensured that Gav had a meal and encouraged him to rest.

Late in the afternoon it was decided that we would need to have a caesarean birth, which was the exact opposite of what we had dreamed of. Cathy was there to help us both through this, encouraging us to ask questions and ensuring we understood the process.

And then we met our little girl, Esha Lili. I was so exhausted I actually fell asleep during her grand entrance! I remember being wheeled into my hospital room, my new home for the next few days and seeing all of the images of home across the walls, and hearing the music that we had planned for Esha’s arrival on my stereo...  I can’t convey how magical it was to enter that room! Cathy had organized it all! After such a frightening turn of events and having to deal with the medical environment of a hospital, she did everything she could to ensure it felt as close to home as possible! When we both felt that all our plans had been flung out the window, Cathy showed us that we could still hold on to them. We both felt very cared for.

Our close family and friends who visited were amazed at how wonderful our room felt. And those that met Cathy had nothing but praise and thanks for her.

We could not recommend Cathy more highly. Her compassion, flexibility and willingness to make our birth experience as wonderful as possible is something we feel blessed to have shared in.

Kelly and Gavin Prime

30/7/07