Zelle the Doula & Hypnobirthing

My wife has had two very difficult births, so with the third baby looming we were looking for ways to make this a more positive experience. My wife contacted Zelle and to be honest, probably like many men, I was sceptical about the difference having a Doula involved would make. I did not fully understand their place in the process, or why after two births where medical issues had been the root cause of traumatic experience, how their input would alter our outcome as a family.I couldn't be more wrong if I tried, Zelle kept in frequent contact with my wife. She met her to discuss in detail her wishes and really understand why her previous births had left her worried about the next one. She also took the time to meet with us as a couple and discuss our birth plan, which felt nice to be included, and recognise how intervention can quickly lead to escalation in childbirth with less than favourable outcomes. It felt like a far more holistic approach to birth with a focus on wellbeing and empowerment.When it came time for the birth Zelle was with us every step of the way, keeping my wife motivated and reminding her of her own power and control. As the labour progressed the midwifes did a fantastic job, but were understandably very focused on the delivery aspect of the birth and that's when a Doula really made a massive difference. Zelle was like a lighthouse of calm in the experience and her gentle reminder to my wife of her own birth wishes allowed her to cope with the pain and avoid having to use morphine or epidurals which obviously makes for a less risky birth and faster recovery.As a result of her involvement my wife finally got the positive birth experience she always wanted, a great start to our daughter’s life and an empowering delivery she can be proud of. I would sincerely encourage other expectant families to consider Zelle’s involvement in their birth’s as an investment in the mother’s mental health and wellbeing. For that alone it is priceless, thank you again from our whole family.

Zelle has been such an incredible support for me and my husband as we journey through the weird world of pregnancy together. Having been determined to have a home birth with as little intervention as possible, I found out I had gestational diabetes and it felt like the bottom had fallen out of the perfect birth plan I had myself set on. Zelle was calm, caring, insightful and most importantly always there. She explained my options (with a home birth still potentially on the cards) but also how I can create a positive hospital birth too. I can't thank Zelle enough for all her support so far, she has been a steady, unflickering light in amongst the chaos of getting ready for a baby!

Zelle is so thorough, I feel so much more prepared for birth now - and dare I say excited about it! As a naturally anxious person I wasn't sure if that was possible. She really exceeded my expectations of hypnobirthing (and is an excellent baker!)

We did a birth preparation class with Zelle and afterwards felt really well informed! We now have a host of tips and tricks that we will use when the time comes to bring our baby into the world (for mum and dad). Zelle also helped us put together our birth preferences which was a huge relief!! Zelle was warm, inclusive (for birth partner) and so passionate about having a positive birth experience.