Anna attended the birth of our daughter in May 2006 at The Hills Private.
Our daughter was induced and I was concerned that induction spelt the end of my desire for a drug-free labor.
With Anna's amazing assistance (eg asked midwifes for birthing ball, helped with shower, suggested position changes, heat packs, cool washers and LOTS of back pressure) I managed to birth our daughter without drugs for pain.
Our daughter was born after an almost 3 year stint with infertility and her birth was very emotional. Anna was amazing and helped us to achieve the birth we had wanted of our precious, longed for baby.
She also took some amazing and very treasured photos.
Anna freed my husband up. She allowed him to best support me and gave him suggestions of how to help (ie whispering in my ear to drown out the hospital midwife complaining that I was going to tear as baby was emerging - I didn't and I wasn't aware of her "tear" comments because of my husband's "interference")
When our daughter was 30 minutes olds she stopped breathing and was anything but a straight resus. They eventually got her resuscitated and decided to transfer her via NETS to a Level IV NICU with suspected cardiac issues.
While waiting for the NETS team Anna helped me shower - I had never felt so scared and alone in all my life. I didn't want to be on my own. My husband was with our daughter. Anna stayed with me and was amazing. Once I'd showered I got to go see our daughter until the transfer team came.
The NETS team took my husband but would not take me as I had just delivered. Anna took me to the other hospital. Stayed with us, late into the night, made us eat. Then sat with our baby girl while we ate.
She then checked in on us each day and visited us I think on the 4th day by which stage we were in the "step-down" or less critical part of the nicu.
Having Anna at our daughter's birth was amazing. During the birth she was just fantastic and so helpful. She knew our wishes, choices, etc and helped us achieve the birth we'd planned, even when some things went astray (ie the induction v going into labor spontaneously).
After the birth in the aftermath of the trauma I can't imagine what it would have been like without Anna.
I have absolutely no hesitation in recommending Anna to any potential clients.
Rae, 2006
