All About Doulas – A Collection of Articles, Blogs and Videos.

Samantha was like a guardian angel – constantly there but rarely seen. Her presence was very reassuring, a calm, wise presence at the periphery of the action.

I don’t think it is possible for me to put into words just how amazing it was to have Sam with me for my for my planned, hypnobirthing caesarean section. She was so calming and reassuring when I was incredibly anxious and stressed, especially going into such a highly medicalised situation.

Her support, both emotionally and practically, was simply amazing before, during, and after the caesarean birth and I instantly missed her when she had left us for the final time. I just can’t imagine going through the caesarean without her. Just her being with me and her presence alone was so calming, and even when I was in great discomfort post caesarean, just her being with me was a huge comfort. She was so tender and attentive to my new son and myself. It meant so much to me.

Samantha has an approachable and easy way; which is relaxing, comfortable and grounding. Her in-depth and up-to-date knowledge is very reassuring.

All I can say is thank you!

I am so grateful to her for inviting me to her various groups and meet-ups, and in particular, for allowing me the use of her birth pool.

I can honestly say that since meeting Sam and the lovely women at the Positive Birth Meeting, I have been much more in control of my anxiety and have enjoyed the pregnancy more.

At the end of the session I felt like I’d made the right decisions during my pregnancy and it gave me confidence for my birth plans.
Sam’s confidence and relaxed, down to earth approach reaffirmed my belief that I can do this and I have done everything I can to ensure I have my positive birth.

Luckily it (the birth pool) was easy to put up and take down afterwards and came with everything I needed. Would use again!

That evening, in bed, feeling calmer, I felt the milk come in. As I was able to sleep more soundly, knowing that Sam was watching the baby.

Her work as a doula goes beyond what you expect with her constant care and consideration for your personal circumstances.

Sam has a knack for being able to recognise the needs of the mother and unobtrusively meet those needs.

She was massively helpful and at the birth it was fantastic to have a calm presence to hold my hand, provide assistance and general be a fantastic pillar of support amongst the bedlam.

Sam is non judgemental, open, honest, passionate, very well educated in all things pregnancy, childbirth & beyond and I would highly recommend her to anyone having any worries, doubts, anxiety or stress about giving birth.

I can’t thank Sam enough for answering questions and giving support and just providing a listening ear.

Sam is an honest, caring lady. She is very passionate about her love of life and birth.

I really felt that Sam was a safe pair of hands for all of us and she helped make the pregnancy, birth and the initial time with the newborn more comfortable and relaxed

She is warm hearted without being sentimental, practical and real.

Samantha provided me with all the information I needed to make informed decisions during my pregnancy and empowered me to be confident with making my voice heard.

Samantha Gadsden, I now have the birth plan in place I wanted but did not have the confidence or knowledge to fight for on my own. Thank you so much xxxx

Never had a belly cast done before, and was so glad I did. I would wholeheartedly recommend Samantha, a warm, friendly, non judgemental lady, who listens and is there for you. Well worth all the services she provides and more.

Sam was actually my doula and you can’t really get a recommendation than that! …… She is amazing.

As a mentee it instantly felt right, she is laid back, grounded and knowledgable and I’m so excited to walk the beginnings of my Doula journey beside her.

Thank you Sam for your support on both my children, you were wonderful 🙂

I could feel her joy during the whole process and this made labour feel as celebratory as the moment my baby was born.

Sam gave me the support and courage to write a birth plan that would help me get the birth I wanted.

Such a knowledgeable and lovely lady, has provided me with invaluable knowledge, confidence and belief. Wonderful!

I can’t thank you enough Sam. …… she was able to have some control in a very clinical environment.

I couldn’t have gotten through the birth of my second child without Sam. She came out during terrible weather in the snow, when I needed her most, pitching up on my sofa overnight not really knowing if he were to arrive that night but just in case

There was nothing Sam would not do to help, she was an amazing support to us, a great photographer and like an old friend as we all sat in front of the fire after Honor’s birth, sharing tea and softly chatting until the sun came up.

I knew before I did my Doula training I would ask Sam if she would be my mentor when I completed my course.

We hired a birthing pool through Samantha. My pregnancy was longer than expected and I contacted the company to explain I couldn’t return the pool in the time frame we had agreed. This was not a problem at all and I had the pool for an extra week free of charge. The quality was excellent and it was so easy – I would definitely recommend.

During labour and the 3rd stage I unfortunately had midwives who weren’t au fait with homebirth or physiological third stage and Sam was there, championing my rights and supporting my partner through some of the tougher parts. I love that she so fully respected my choices and demanded everyone else present to as well.

I don’t think we would have survived the early days and weeks with twins without her. She was a really good fit for our family and was really easy to have around at a time when we were vulnerable.

Sam’s support and advice covered both ‘natural’ birth and planned c section as options, emphasising that both can be positive, and even healing.

I recommend you to everyone – mother, grandmother, aunt who is going through what should be a beautiful event but so often becomes difficult. Even straight forward births are frightening the first time.

Sam facilitated my Mother Blessing and it was an amazing day. I had a lot of ideas and Sam took the time to listen and talk though them all with me and help me create a really magical day.

It felt as though I had my mother there and that was really important.

Love Samantha. Love her work. Highly recommended for all pregnant mammas!