Testimonials
.My name is Michaella Tasker and I have been asked to provide a reference for Samantha Birch as my Doula for my first pregnancy. I can’t compare having a Doula (Samantha) to having a normal birth in a hospital as I was lucking enough to be introduced to the ways of a Doula and their support for my first pregnancy. Samantha was unconditionally there for me and my partner throughout my pregnancy and the birth of my amazing son Rafey. Her technique, support and sensitivity towards my needs were unquestionable; it’s hard to put into words what a difference Samantha made for my partner James and me on the day. Rafey was 9lb 7oz and I had no compilations or pain relief - it was all natural and I feel this is a direct result of Samantha’s calming influence throughout my entire pregnancy and support at birth. Through her touch, oils, music and various methods, Rafey was delivered into the world, via a midwife, my partner and Samantha’s guidance.
I’m having my second child, due March-18-2010 in a birthing suite with no option of pain relief and home in 4 hours after birth. I’m doing this all with the support of Samantha as my Doula again.
Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.
Kind regards,
Michaella Tasker
I have known Samantha Birch for 16 years and have been fortunate enough to have her as a support person/doula at 2 of my births. I would like to tell you about the birth of my 3rd daughter Charlee, so you will be able to get an idea at how Samantha will be of assistance to you during your birth.
I had rang Samantha late one afternoon to tell her that things were happening and seeing that this was my third child we might need to be prepared for a quick delivery, (I now have 6 daughters). Samantha was on the next train and up to the Sunshine Coast, when she arrived I was having contractions about 10 minutes apart and regularly. So we bunkered down for the night spending the time talking about my plans for the delivery. I had chosen a hospital delivery as my previous child was 5 pound 1 oz. and had been advised by my doctors to expect another small baby, I felt more comfortable knowing I was going to be in the hospital and could have access to the Special Care Nursery if it was needed.
During the night my labour was progressing nicely and as it was getting quite late we decided to try and get some sleep. We were surprised to find ourselves waking at 7 am and my contractions had stopped all together. You can imagine my frustration at this and Samantha was excellent in calming my fears and being someone I could talk to without fear of being judged. Samantha accompanied me to my doctor and we both discussed the previous night. I felt reassured by Samantha’s presence as now she had an even greater understanding of my pregnancy. The doctor examined me and found me to be 3cm dilated and sent us
home with the knowledge that we were going to have a another beautiful baby in the very near future.
Late that afternoon the time had come and we were on our way to the hospital. Being the bossy person that I am I insisted on driving but changed my mind halfway there and asked Samantha if she would drive. Add her driving skills to the list that she has already supplied you. After arrival at the Birth Suite the midwives (without an examination) informed myself and Samantha that I had hours to go and together our instincts told us not go home but to stay at the hospital. Samantha suggested that we go down to the café and have a chat about my feelings. The advice and her calming nature reassured me that all was going to be fine and that sometimes we do not get the answers we want but to still have faith in the people who were about to help me birth.
I am very thankful still to this day for her knowledge and support as while I taking my first sip of water; my waters Broke! Take that midwife, this baby wanted to come, my shoes full of fluid were testament to this fact. It was all stations go from then on in and unbeknown to Samantha all of her training and life skills were about to be put to the test. My straightforward birth was turning into what is classed as a complicated delivery. I never actually went into what they class as Active labour and hit Transition within 1 hour of my waters breaking. As you can imagine my emotions were in overdrive I instinctively knew something was not right and am forever grateful for Samantha’s presence in that delivery suite. I cannot quite explain exactly what she did but the result was a gradual calming of my mind and body. The techniques Samantha used to relax me benefited not only me but my unborn daughter. The unexpected advantage was the calming of the midwives also, as this is one of Samantha’s greatest talents. As it turned out my daughter was in a posterior position which found her trying to crown via her forehead rather then the top of her head. This means she was trying to exit via my tailbone and not the usual way (but she is a very individual person). When she was delivered the whole room sighed in relief.
The love and support that Samantha gave me in the hours and the days after my birth allowed me to heal from this experience and so much so that I went on and had another 3 children. Samantha was also there for my family in the days after the birth where her knowledge allowed my family to bond to our new member making us all forever grateful for her continued presence in our lives.
I wholeheartedly recommend Samantha as your Doula her special talents will guide and support you, your partner and children through the magical experience that is birth. I am able to be contacted via email on sara@dirtangels.com.au if you have any further questions or would just like to know a little more.
Good Luck and Best Wishes
Sara Chaffey
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My name is Karalyn and having Sam attend the birth of my second child made such an amazing difference for me. Being fairly new to the Gold Coast, I didn’t have anybody that I could rely on to meet me at the hospital for support, especially if it was in the middle of the night. I have a one year old and I originally wanted a Doula with the intention of her primarily taking care of him whilst I was in labour and then for additional support alongside my husband. This would ensure that my first baby would be there at the crucial times and still not be away from me (as he never has been so far) and also that my specific Birth Plan was respected as much as possible. I had some issues with my previous birth and wanted to ensure I had as much support if needed as possible. Sam came to visit several times taking the time to form a bond with my son so that he would feel comfortable with her. I knew straight away she was the right choice for me as we chatted I felt at ease knowing she would be at the birth. As it turned out, I went into labour after I put my son to bed and he slept through the whole thing! Sam then became my primary support for almost the entire first stage of labour as my husband feel asleep also! She was great and very perceptive and made me feel very comfortable with what was happening knowing she had witnessed several births prior. My labour was intense as it was natural and my baby was breech and I feel that I had such a great first stage to prepare me for the second stage and I have Sam to thank for that. I felt so comfortable with her there like I had known her for much longer and she was so helpful in so many ways like looking after my son when he woke and distracting him from the obvious jealously/confusion he was feeling.. I would highly recommend Sam to any women considering birth especially in a hospital setting. I have found and others have also told me that when you are relaxed the birth process is easier and Sam definitely made my breech birth a lot easier than it would have been without her. Please feel free to contact me if you require any further information.
All the best!
Karalyn Sladka
Michaella, James and Baby Rafey
Sara and Baby Charlee
Karalyn, Petr and Baby Eva
Charmaine, Adam and Baby Emma
My husband and I had decided at the start of my pregnancy that we wanted to enlist the services of a doula to help support us throughout the entire pregnancy and labour of our first child. We decided upon a doula as being that this was our first child, we weren’t very knowledgeable about what lay ahead for the next 9 months and beyond and also because I have always considered pregnancy and birth to be a very natural experience and I felt that with the help of a doula that I would be able to achieve just that.
After our first meeting with Samantha, we knew straight away that she was the doula for us. She came very well prepared with testimonials from previous clients and a very high understanding of pregnancy, labour and raising children. She shared her wealth of knowledge with us and also very kindly answered our long list of questions we had for her!
From that moment on, she played a very important part of our pregnancy. She sent us wonderful emails every few weeks updating us on the progress of the ever growing little bundle of joy inside me. The information provided was excellent as my husband and I both loved reading about what was occurring to our little one at every stage of the pregnancy. Things from how big the baby was at each stage, to things I may be feeling, to things I should be doing to help get prepared etc, the list goes on. All the information was incredibly valuable.
We also had several meetings throughout the pregnancy to discuss how things were going, make sure everything was on track, to discuss the impending labour and to help us with our birth plan. I was also treated to a wonderful foot massage by Samantha which is exactly what every pregnant woman needs!
We felt safe knowing that if at any time we had any questions or needed help or if I ever needed to just talk, that Samantha was always just a phone call away.
A few days before my due date, I started to have some symptoms that labour may be happening very soon. I rang Samantha and told her and she assured us that everything was normal and that it is a sign that our little one will be arriving very soon.
The day before my due date, I began suffering from pre labour pains. I phoned Samantha early in the morning to let her know and she offered to come over. I told her to just wait a while to see how things went, though she said that at any stage I could call her and she could come over. In the meantime she told us to try and relax and have equal amounts of rest and exercise to make sure labour continues.
Around 1.30pm, after going to the toilet, my water broke. We called Samantha straight away and she confirmed that this indeed had happened and that she was on her way over to help. Unfortunately we had to head to the hospital as soon as Samantha arrived, as our baby had a bowel motion whilst still in the womb and had to be monitored. Samantha was great as she reassured me that everything was still okay and also helped us successfully fight for a wireless monitor as I needed to be up and walking around to help deal with contractions.
Throughout the contractions, Samantha helped by talking my husband and I through everything, explaining everything to us that we weren’t entirely sure about, as the doctors and midwifes didn’t and also giving me a few massages when I needed them.
She was always very helpful in giving me words of encouragement throughout and telling me how well I was going and overall keeping my mind on my main goal, achieving a safe and natural birth experience. She was also there to take the pressure off my husband which was very helpful.
Throughout the pushing stage, I struggled a little bit and was at one stage ready to give up, but Samantha’s encouragement helped me through it and after 13 hours of contractions and pushing, completely drug free, my husband and I welcomed our beautiful baby girl into the world.
Samantha stayed with us for a few more hours after the birth of our daughter, until we were transferred up to the maternity ward, all the while I should mention on her birthday! She also came to our house a couple times after the birth of our daughter to discuss the labour and delivery and to help us and give us some much needed advice on the next few months of our daughter’s life.
Samantha was incredibly helpful throughout everything. I truly believe that without her help, I may not have had as good of a birth experience as I had. She was always willing to help us out as much as she could and even presented us with a beautifully written story of our daughter’s birth to read to her when she is older. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Samantha to anyone considering a doula. Whether it is your first or fifth baby, I believe that every woman needs support throughout her pregnancy and birth and a doula is a perfect resource to any woman wanting that.
Charmaine
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Rochelle, Bevan and baby Xanthe
Rochelle Cassells
wants to say a massive thank you to her wonderful doula Sam from Under the Birch Tree - Doula, Designs and Ceremonies for her amazing support through my pregnancy, labour & Xani's birth. You helped make it exactly what I wanted and without you the aftermath would've been loads more scary & traumatic for us all.
Rochelle (via facebook)
