Jamie - Placenta Client I wanted to tell you, thank you so much for taking such good care of us and the amazing job you did. Then capsules have made such a difference! I anticipated getting post-natal depression due to already having anxiety/depression but I feel better now than I did before I gave birth! Milk supply has been abundant and energy levels are a lot better than before. Clinton and I are super stoked with how my health has held up and we can only assume it's from the capsules as we haven't changed anything else. So a huge thank you again!!
Amber - Placenta Client This time around has been a lot less stressful, your kind words really helped me a lot last time. As you said a lot was mindset and I decided (as you said) it doesn't hold power over my experience so I decided to focus more on being with my baby than the "complication" itself and just looked after myself and since deciding to just be as positive as I can it's been the best part of my pregnancy . So thank you so much for taking the time to reply to me when I was first diagnosed and your kind words. They meant a lot to me. xx
Annie - Placenta Client Samantha was a key component of my positive and empowering postpartum journey as I sourced my placenta encapsulation from Under the Birch Tree. The service Samantha provides is the best one can find. Not only is she extremely knowledgeable and informative with many years of experience, including 15 years of placenta experience, is certified as a qualified practitioner and Australian Trainer/Lecturer and also Chairperson, Mentor and QLD representative of Placenta Services Australia...I mean, wow! Samantha also deeply cares about delivering this meaningful work with the utmost quality and care. I had complete trust and confidence that I was taken care of during this critical timed me and my family's journey, and that my placenta would be meticulously handled to the highest standard. From the many questions I asked Samantha, to me and my Husband's experience with her after the birth of our son...Samantha was a delight to work with, and we are so grateful for her contribution in our journey. The placenta encapsulation truly lived up to my expectations. Family and friends were amazed at my recovery and I know this was due to the quality I was consuming in these miracle caps each day. Thank you Samantha. Our family feel blessed to have worked with you, and look forward to working with you again in the future.
Peta - Placenta Client (during COVID-19 pandemic) Third time around, I decided to utilize the magic that my body had created. Sam was referred to me by the midwifes at the hospital. I quickly searched her business page and made contact. Sam was quick to respond, happy to explain the procedure and benefits, taking a genuine interest in my previous pregnancies/births and the reason for my wanting to encapsulate my placenta this time around. Sam was aware of my history with PND and provided comfort and support in the lead up to my birth. Once labour commenced, Sam was made aware and with the uncertainty around hospital visits due to COVID she happily met my husband to pick up the placenta. Calling to personally wish me congratulations and ask about the birth, Sam was quick and efficient in getting the placenta back to me the very next day and maintained social distancing whilst being expertly professional. My package was a bag of magic, lovingly bundled. Sam has been nothing but supportive throughout my postpartum experience and if I am blessed with another precious babe, she will be my first port of call. Thank you xx
Victoria - Placenta Client & Trainee I was introduced to Sam by a friend in 2013 and after learning about her Services I knew I couldn't let my Placenta go to waste. Pregnant with my second child I wanted to experience the benefits of Placenta Encapsulation and find out if the postpartum period would be any different to my first child. The answer is, YES, it was! My milk supply was tremendous, I had tons of energy and my recovery was speedy. Sam was very knowledgable and approachable during the whole process and after reaping the rewards for myself, I also wanted to be the person which new moms could reach out to for this service. Sam trained me as a Placenta Specialist in May 2014, she is my guru, go-to person, and dear friend. Thank you for all that you are and all that you do Sam, many Mommy’s and babies have received something so special from their tree of life because of you!! Vic xx
Ryan Peters - Placenta Client (during COVID-19 pandemic) Sam was incredible, beyond standard customer relationships. I booked in for one of the packages early. Set and forget. She was pleasant upon first contact. Expertly helpful and maintained a perfect rapport throughout the birthing process. It wasn’t until a few days later while still in the hospital haven given birth to our first baby boy, that I came to understand the true value of Sam’s service. Exhausted and emotional. Overwhelmed on Easter Sunday morning. Sam calls and says “I’m at the hospital main entrance. I have a package for you”. In the grips of a pandemic. Here was a brave women offering a service that is proven to be of benefit to recovering new moms, there. Outside for us. Not for the money. Not for anything other than us. The choices on offer within placenta recyclement are plentiful. Most medicinal some beautiful, meaningful, artistic. Care for the collection and presentation of delivery was evident. The on going support and availability is nurturing. Would I recommend ‘under the birch tree’? No I wouldn’t. I would insist upon it. Thank you kindly Sam for a wonderful experience.
Rebecca - Placenta Client I'm so happy a friend recommended Sam for placenta encapsulation. When Sam walked in to collect my placenta I was immediately put at ease by her professionalism, knowing the whole process was in very safe hands. I was so impressed by how quickly Sam had the capsules back to me, how much thought and care had been put into the packaging and by just how kind Sam is! I had a question the very next day and she responded straight away. The midwives at the hospital were super impressed too! I'll be using Under the Birch Tree again when I deliver my next baby :)
Rachelle - Placenta Client I just wanted to say an extra big THANK YOU! I would highly, highly recommend placenta encapsulation to anyone, they’re easy to take, it has helped me heal in record time and helped even out some of those hormonal and emotional roller coaster highs and lows. Samantha, you have been an absolute pleasure to deal with! you got to the hospital in such a quick time, especially after I couldn’t let you know I had gone into labour as it all happened so quickly and then dropped the capsules back up to my suite the next day. I really cannot rate you and your placenta encapsulation service high enough! You are such a lovely, kind and caring soul and have helped me through this life changing time. Thank you! I’ll be sure to pass on your details to any of my friends and recommend you. I’ll be in contact when baby #2 happens : D
Kristy - Placenta Client As soon as I found out I was pregnant I knew I wanted to have my placenta encapsulated. Suffering for many many years with anemia my fear about becoming a mother was being too tired to care for my new born. I found a couple of services in the Gold Coast which I contacted for information on how the process worked from booking to having my placenta picked up and delivered back to me. Sam was the only one who got back to me within 48 hours with much appreciated over the top information. She included so much that I hadn't thought to ask which was fantastic, and her kind words was enough for me to choose her services. From booking my date through to a few weeks before my date Sam was able to offer advise and answer any further questions I had. I chose to have the fresh capsules at time of birth and the rest dehydrated. I gave birth 2 weeks before my expected date which was no problem for Sam. She arrived promptly to make the fresh capsules, reminding me of the information she gave me previously and explaining how they were going to benefit me. Sam kept me updated at every stage of my encapsulation which was fantastic. I got them back about 36 hours after the birth of my daughter. I've been taking the recommended doses for a week now, there have been a couple of days I have missed lunch time dose or had breakfast later than expected and the difference I feel taking my capsules within half an hour I'm awake and energized. I had very little sleep the first 5 days after the birth I had no day time naps and bubs was sick with bad jaundice with hospital runs back and forth and night time feeds I was running off 2 hours sleep a night, but I still had the energy to be awake and alert. The midwives that have visited me are amazed at how quickly my tummy has gone down, How quickly the postpartum bleeding stopped and my milk coming in quick too. I feel I owe it all to my capsules. I can not thank you enough for your amazing services. I will be back in the future. Xx
Kate - Placenta Client I feel quite saddened that tomorrow i will be taking my last capsules. My darling son is 10 weeks old and although i have nothing to compare it too i have felt fantastic from day one. I found samantha extremely personable and delivers a professional service. Will definitely be back if there is ever a second. Thank you.
Leisa - Placenta Client This was the best thing I ever did! I went from getting the start of PND, then started taking my tablets and it levelled everything out and I could enjoy the time with my son.. I will be getting them again with my next child
Sally - Placenta Client I wish I could show just how happy we are with Samantha and her team. Through out the hole process she remained professional and caring with all our request and questions, being sensitive to the fact that all new mothers are exhausted after birthing she personally delivered my placenta pack to my home within 48hrs. Samantha went above and beyond all our expectations, even helping me out free of charge after losing my cherished placenta photo, one I wanted to pass onto my daughter in the future. Nine months after the birth of layla I discovered it missing with all the family and friends coming and going I had no idea where it got to, I text Samantha desperate to get another copie not only did she soothe my fears of never seeing it again, she dedicated three days going through nearly 1000 photos to once again reunite me with the image that I hold so dear and after all that work, time and effort refusing any sort of payment. I can't show just how greatfull we are to Samantha the love for what she does shines through in all the experience I have had with her, and we will without a doubt entrust her with that piece of ourself next time I'm pregnant again. Thanks Samantha from Sally, Sam and Layla xXxX
Jessica - Placenta Client I am so thankful that I found out about Samantha's services. I had my placenta encapsulated with the Chinese medicine method and took my pills daily for months during my post partum period. I felt extremely good after I would take them everyday and feel that they played such a big role in how well I recovered from birth and got through the first few months. Sam was so easy to communicate with and arrived promptly after the birth to collect the placenta and returned it so fast. Her service was 5 star. She is so lovely also smile emoticon I also got my placenta made into a cream which I use pretty much everyday and absolutely love it! I use it for small cuts from baby nails, nappy rash, cradle cap, dry skin, I use it on myself also and will be sad when it runs out ! It's a miracle cream. Highly recommend also. Thank you so much for everything Samantha :)
Cherise - Placenta Client I can highly recommend Sam if you're considering consuming your placenta after your birth. She was amazing at answering my questions and explaining the benefits and what to expect. I must admit I thought she was hyping up her product (as we all do in business) and that I should not get my hopes up too high. After everyone I know warning me of the pending tears on day 3 till up to a month later and complete exhaustion being the norm of what to expect, so I went somehwere in between. I was mistaken, Sam was right. This is my first baby so I have nothing to compare it to but I've been so pleased with how the capsules have worked for me! Sam was extreamly accommodating (my baby arrived 2 1/2 weeks early and Sam came right out and sorted everything out for us). She made the fresh capsules for me and within half an hour I could feel my energy returning and the light headness receding. Sam delivered the rest of my capsules the following afternoon and I've been taking the recommended dose since. My baby is now a week old and there's been no tears from me, no feeling down and I've been much more energised than I expected with broken sleep and night feeds (except the one day I forgot to take them and felt noticaably more flat). I will definitely be having my placentas of any further babies encapsulated as I'm convinced these little pills have helped make this huge change in life so much more enjoyable (despite everyone else just saying how lucky I've been). Thank you Sam for your helpful friendly service and fitting us in at an hours notice. My family is very appreciative.
Kristen - Placenta Client Just wanted to say a quick thanks and let you know that I am feeling fantastic 3 weeks after the birth of our bubba Kade. I have healed extremely quickly and feel great energy and mood wise. I haven't got any other experience to compare to however feel that the capsules are having a positive impact. I hope your well! Thanks again, Kristen
Diane- Placenta Client I love my face cream it feels and smells like a million dollars, I also can't believe how I'm feeling after taking my placenta pills , I have all this energy and feel great, I just have to remind myself that I birthed only a week before, thank you Sam for all the love that went into my placenta and into my products, ill have to keep having babies just so I can stock up on face cream ahaha
Rochelle - Doula & Placenta Client Rochelle wanted to say a massive thank you to her wonderful doula Sam from Under the Birch Tree - Placenta Services 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)
Bonnie Placenta Client Just wanted to write to you and let you know that we are so impressed with the results of our placenta encapsulation. I have not had any issues with "baby blues" since having Archie, I am completely healed after suffering a large tear, everyday I am full of energy and my milk supply is fantastic! Archie is a wonderful baby, who is sleeping well, feeding great and is a laughing little monkey. Kev even tried a couple and was amazed with the energy boost. I am so impressed with your service I have recommended you to all the pregnant women I know. My midwife from the birth centre is also letting her clients know about your service. Thank you so much for helping us enjoy this magical experience, we will most definitely be calling you again when baby number 2 arrives :) Thanks again, Bonnie, Kevin & Archie
Prue - Placenta Client I will happily do a review on the website because I feel extremely positive about this whole experience, I'm even feeling a little grief that the capsules are almost gone. I was really unwell after the c-section (I think you dropped the capsules off during this time) but I know these little miracle bullets of life have helped me recover amazingly well. I wish I did this with my first two babies, as I suffered a little pnd with both but nothing at all with this baby. Prue
Amber - Placenta Client I just wanted to give you some feedback on the placenta encapsulation service. It was such a positive experience for us, at a time when there's so much going on, you made it so easy for us when you came to pick up my placenta- no stress or worry, you were there in under 4 hours like you said :) and I had my pills the next day!! Thank you for also getting me the smaller capsule size, it was much appreciated. This post-natal period has been so different to my first. I have so much more energy, never a hint of the baby blues (which were quite severe for me with my first lasting 5 months), and I am nowhere near as tired as I was the first time around (even though I'm getting probably half the sleep!). I can only attribute this to the capsules. I will certainly be recommending your service to pregnant friends in the future! Thanks again, Amber
Carrie - Placenta Client I was very happy with my experience -my placenta was promptly picked up and returned by day 2, professionally packaged and accompanied by a keepsake photo and lots of information. All very stress free and I have definitely seen the results of the pills. I have no doubt Sam would make an amazing doula also. Carrie
Hayley - Placenta Client I just wanted to say thank you very much for my placenta capsules. Although I don't have anything to compare them to I honestly believe I wouldn't be feeling as good as I do if I wasn't taking them. I have been taking them for 3 weeks now. I have no issues with my milk supply, my bleeding slowed right down after the first week with the occasional spotting now (I was told I could bleed for 6+ weeks), although I have broken sleep through the night and no day time naps I'm not tired nor feel run down, I have not had any baby blues and lastly our little boy is exclusively breast fed and one very relaxed and content little man. I will definitely recommended your services and will be doing this again with our next bub. Thank you once again.
Victoria - Placenta Client After a traumatic delivery and recovery following the birth of our first son we were eager to try placenta encapsulation to assist us after the birth of our second child. We found Samantha to be incredibly helpful and not just in regards to the placenta encapsulation. Although we only used her service to encapsulate our placenta, we ended up receiving so much more from her. She provided support and reassurance in the lead up to our birth and in the weeks after, staying in regular contact, answering any and all of my questions and meeting our needs in everyway. We both feel that taking the placenta capsules after the birth has helped in many ways, not only with the physical healing but emotionally as well. We both found her to be extremely friendly and reassuring and her service is fantastic, we highly recommend her and will be coming back again when we have our 3rd child. Victoria & Lewis
Leah - Placenta Client I hadn't heard about placenta encapsulation when I had my first baby in 2011 so that placenta was planted underneath a tree. With my second baby in 2014 I found Sam online and was surprised that there were so many options for placenta use! I chose to have it encapsulated and added to face cream and nappy balm. Samantha has such a lovely warm and calm nature - which is very welcome in the days after having a baby. Everything is so beautifully packaged and presented. I've definitely felt the difference the capsules make! I've had more energy this time around, even though I also have a toddler and don't get to nap in the day like I did with my first newborn. Taking the capsules is just like having a vitamin every day, I don't find it difficult or confronting at all. I just wish I had a never ending supply of them. I've also had some turned into jewellery keepsakes, which would have been much harder to do if I hadn't had capsules to use. I can't recommend Samantha highly enough and hope to use her services again if I'm fortunate enough to have another bubba in the future.
Placenta training/Education Workshop
Karen - Placenta Workshop student Hi beautiful Sam.. I can't thank you enough for sharing your time and wisdom and knowledge with us today in our doula training.. I feel so grateful to have met you and learnt from you and I am so excited that you will be teaching midwives soon. You are amazing!
Sarah - Placenta Workshop Student Sam, thank you so much for today! Your presentation and knowledge exceeded everything I was expecting, I will hold that knowledge for ever. You're empowering groups of women that will share your knowledge on, this is so powerful. I can't thank you enough, you're absolutely amazing!
Hannah - Placenta Workshop Student Hey Sam, I just wanted to reach out and let you know how much I loved you coming into the lighthouse on Saturday to talk to us! Your passion and knowledge was infectious and has really inspired me. Thank you so much for sharing so openly with us!
Eva - Placenta Workshop Student Sam this is Eva from class yesterday. A huge thank you, Sam... thank you for what you do, i can see the lavour of love at the foundations of your work. Thank you for sharing your wisdom, thank you for you for sharing hidden truths. Thank you for taking the time! So much honour to you! Feel like I learned and affirmed some invaluable things yesterday. I'm really excited to see what you do over the next 12 months with your business. Go girl, so needed!!
Shay - Placenta Workshop Student SAM! You beautiful woman. Thank you so much for joining us today and sharing your knowledge and wisdom. I learnt so much and am so inspirted by your work. You have a sweet sweet energy and I am grateful to be on this path and be in service to women with you. From you heart to yours.
Kirrah - Placenta Trainee Sam is a walking placenta encyclopedia. Her knowledge is so in depth and well researched. She has an excellent balance of super friendly with super professional. She has always gone 'above and beyond' in helping me and has always been quick to respond to any questions that I've had. I highly recommend her as an encapsulator and trainer!
Georgie - Placenta Trainee I trained with Sam about a year and a half ago and immediately felt comfortable with her due to her warm, caring nature and knowledge of the placenta and all of the remedies I now offer to my clients here in Sydney. I was feeling a little apprehensive about the hands on component but the information and the way the training was done made me feel very capable and sure of my ability to honour the placenta and ensure my work was done to the highest standards in health and hygiene. Since my training, there have been many occasions I have called on Sam to provide advice on the best way forward for any 'out of the ordinary' queries I have received and she has always been available for me when I needed to clarify something or needed a second opinion. This service of being my mentor is something I am deeply grateful for as I am a person who likes to dot my Is and cross my Ts and want to make sure everything I do is spot on and is the best for my client. Without Sam's guidance I would not be the encapsulator I am today. Thank you so much Sam, Georgie
Placenta encapsulation for Multiples
Jasmine - Placenta Twin After being haunted by memories of baby blues and pnd after my first 2 children caused by what I thought was my drop in hormones after birth, I was sure I wouldn't go through that again with my impending birth of my twins. I sought after natural ways that could help with what I thought was unavoidable. Sam gave me so much information regarding encapsulation and it's benefits. She was so open and willing to take so many of my calls and questions regarding this which really set my mind at ease that this could possibly work. So I told myself if I couldn't stomach this i could Atleast keep it all as a keepsake. (I knew if I let them get disposed of there was no getting them back and I would never know.) I had both of my placentas encapsulated one raw and the other tcm along with a balm and cream. After only 2 days of consumption I noticed a huge change in my milk supply, I was energised and feeling amazing which was so weird from the lack of sleep and constant baby tears. I normally would have been a mess. I continued until I thought I was all good and had a few days off the capsules but low and behold I felt exhausted my milk didn't seem to be satisfying my babies and I was feeling run down for the first time since their birth. I started again and wow I was back to great routines more energy and focus. Other benefits were both babies were putting on excellent amounts of weight. My eldest daughter suffers from excema so I used placenta balm on her and the itching and redness went away. The face cream is so delicate and made my skin glow and feel so soft. I can't praise Under the birch tree enough, and I recommend this to all of my pregnant friends. Placentas are amazing not only do they provide life to our babies before birth but they continue to provide benefits after as well. Thankyou Sam for everything. I may have grown these placentas but you helped me capture all of the goodness that came from them. Xo
Doula client
Sara - Doula Client I have known Samantha Birch for 22 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 her way up to the Sunshine Coast, when she arrived I was having contractions about 10 minutes apart and regularly. We bunkered down for the night spending the time talking about my plans for the delivery. I 'd 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 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. Good Luck and Best Wishes Sara Chaffey
Karalyn - Doula Client 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 fell 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 a natural breech birth 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 so 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. All the best! Karalyn
Michaella - Doula Client My name is Michaella Tasker, I hired 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 next year 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. Michaella Doula Client Baby #2 Samantha became more than just my Doula after my labour accelerated rapidly and Sam arrived to my water breaking and the beginning of the stage transition. She had me lay on the lounge floor and took a 'look' to see what action we should take, she could see the baby's head and at the same time I had the urge to push. If Sam hadn't arrived I would have had our baby girl alone worried and in a lot of stress. Sam was so calm and assured me everything was perfectly normal and we could continue safely with the ambulance on the way. I listened to what she said to do and after 3 pushes our baby girl arrived into Sam very caring and supportive hands. She gave her a quick check and placed her gently on my chest and covered us with blankets until the ambulance arrived. James was very pale and in quite a bit of shock so he stayed with our little boy while Sam came in the Ambulance with me and baby Lila to the hospital to deliver the placenta. We had an aggressive lady ambulance officer and with Sam's help we managed to calmly stop them from cutting of Lila's blood and oxygen supply with a cord clamp until her cord stopped pulsing. The ambulance woman told us we were poisoning the baby! I had a totally different experience with Sam this time around. Even though it was not an ideal situation I had an amazing natural, home birth that luckily, due to Sam's knowledge turned out to be a safe and absolutely amazing experience.
Michaella Doula Client Baby #3 The unexpected! Here I am with number three, our unexpected little boy. And again the story is unusual and we thank goodness for Sam once again. My labour started on what was supposed to be a night alone in a resort to sleep rest and do very little and in silence too. That was soon put to an end by my water breaking! I called my midwife and Sam who in the middle of moving house came to my rescue and picked me up from the hotel. Because Lila was born very soon after my water broke we didn't want to take any chances. We met my midwife at home and Sam stayed with me getting things in order while I went through the early stages. We had a wonderful water birth at the new Gold Coast University Hospital. Another amazing birth experience that wouldn't have been so fabulous without Sam. I promise there will be no more! Kind regards, Michaella
Charmaine - Doula Client 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 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