Breast Feeding Archives - Samantha Gadsden, Doula, South Wales and South West.

Breast Feeding

Breech In Labour Caesarean Birth

The decision to move from home birth to positive induction at Peterborough City Hospital meant that Sophie and her partner were able to share a magical waterbirth together.

By Samantha, 4 weeks1 week ago

Kangaroo Care

Breast Feeding

Positive Home Birth Turned Premature Birth

The decision to move from home birth to positive induction at Peterborough City Hospital meant that Sophie and her partner were able to share a magical waterbirth together.

By Samantha, 4 weeks3 weeks ago

Breast Feeding

Home Birth Support Group UK

I have with a friend, set up the Home Birth Support Group UK on Facebook. It is a busy, lively group for anyone who has had, or is interested in having a home birth. All of our members births are very important to us. The group is for women planning Read more…

By Samantha, 10 months10 months ago

Breast Feeding

The Amazing Home Birth of Lawrence – 10 pound 4 ounces.

This is a guest blog post from Katy Gearing from our Home Birth Support Group UK. Katy runs Jenni Bean Sling Consultancy CIC and the Thame Sling and Nappy Library. It is the story of her home birth with her predicted ENORMOUS baby and possible gestational diabetes. Birth story of Read more…

By Samantha, 11 months11 months ago

Breast Feeding

Life With Lois – Positive About Downs Syndrome

Many thanks to Therese for sharing her conception, pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding and life story with her beautiful daughter Lois. At the time I discovered my pregnancy, I had just turned 42 although I felt I was 25 still, I had a 13 year old daughter from a previous marriage, a Read more…

By Samantha, 1 year1 year ago

Breast Feeding

All About Placentas

When should I store my placenta, can I encapsulate it if ………, what else can I do with it.

By Samantha, 1 year2 months ago

Breast Feeding

Feeding on the Floor

Feeding on the Floor Outside Door 3 of Harrods to be Precise. Like a vagrant, people walked past me and stepped over me without a second glance, me and my invisible child, the 2 doormen there blindly refused to acknowledge my existence. But “Oh, the shoes!”. It an was an Read more…

By Samantha, 2 years10 months ago

Breast Feeding

An overnight guest of the most lovely variety – wet nursing and tandem feeding

These photos popped up on my newsfeed this week and brought back some lovely memories which I thought I would share. I have discussed in the past, would I feed another mothers baby, yes I thought. On this particular day, I got to my phone to missed calls from a Read more…

By Samantha, 2 years10 months ago

Breast Feeding

The Beautiful Home Birth With Gestational Diabetes of Regina Yujia Bai

This is a guest blog post from Regina Yujia Bai. It tells the story of her beautiful home birth after a diagnosis of Gestational Diabetes and of tandem nursing her new born and toddler. It is very unusual to hear Home Birth and Gestation Diabetes in the same sentence, so Read more…

By Samantha, 2 years2 months ago

Breast Feeding

A Doula’s Journey 2017

Thank you from this Doula – 2017 has been an incredible ride. I began 2017 intending to take a break – being on call 24/7 for up to 5 weeks at a time is an intense commitment, it is hard on you, on your family and also on your extended Read more…

By Samantha, 2 years10 months ago

Blog Categories

Testimonials

The Doulas Doula – Freebirth, Pontypridd South Wales

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

Ellie Horrigan

Planned Hypnobirth Caesarean, Neville Hall Hospital, Abergavenny

planned hypnobirth caersarean, attending theatre

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.

Caroline

Vaginal Birth After Caesarean, Caerphilly, South Wales

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

Rachel Elizabeth

Birth Trauma, Reframing, Cardiff, South Wales.

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.

Amy Burrage, Cardiff.

Creating Your Positive Birth Day, Cardiff, South Wales.

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

Amy Burrage

Amazing Women Centred Support

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.

Phyllida Warmington

Belly Cast and “Picking Sams Birthy Brains” – Cardiff, South Wales

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.

Hannah Maggie

Home Birth, Cardiff, South Wales

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

Kristina Young, Cardiff

Beautiful Home Birth After Previous Trauma

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.

Natasha Bold

First Time Mum, Natural Homebirth, South Wales

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

anya szura

Vaginal Birth After Caesarean, Merthyr Tydfil.

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.

Lisa Barry

Caesarean Under General Anesthetic Post Miscarriage.

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

Rhian Gregory

Creating Your Positive Birth Workshop/VBAC

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

Lynn Gazal

Post Natal, Twin Support, Bridgend, South Wales

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.

Bethan and Peter Cole

Vaginal Birth After Caerarean Turned Elective Caesarean, Caerphilly, South Wales

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

Marc Issacs

Simple Birth Pool Hire.

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

Jenny

Midwife Led Unit, Neville Hall

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

Lauren Edwards

Homebirth After Miscarriage, Neath, Abertawe Bro Morganwwyg University Health Board

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

Kirsty Smart

I always knew I wanted Sam to be my mentor.

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

Kate Thompson

42 weeks plus homebirth, Rhondda, South Wales.

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.

Kate B

Home Birth, Caerphilly, South Wales.

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

Emma Burns

Preparing for Pregnancy and Online Post Natal Support, Penarth

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

Fauvette Lillie

Amazing Online Support

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.

Teri Browett

Consultant Led Birth (In The Snow) – Royal Gwent Hospital

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

Lauren Edwards

Belly Casting and Birth Chat – Aberdare, South Wales

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.

Bethan O Sullian

Vaginal Birth After Caesarean, Caerphilly, South Wales

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

Fran Thomson

Sam has a clear passion for all things birth.

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.

Gem

Sam – a mentor just right for me.

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

PJ McGivern

Post Natal Support, Wenvoe, Near Cardiff, South Wales

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.

LC.

Post Natal Support, Bridgend

All I can say is thank you!

Tania Leanne Trebble

Solo Parent Birth and Post Natal Support

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

Anonymous

My Daughter’s Caesarean Birth, Cardiff South Wales.

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

Linda

Mother Blessing, Cardiff, South Wales

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.

RR Cardiff

Waterbirth, Freebirth, Pontyclun, South Wales

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.

Pollyana and Alistair Leaver

Freebirth, Pontypridd, South Wales

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.

Zoe K

Home Birth, Newport.

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.

Perfect Birth Pool Hire.

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.

Natasha Bold

Positive Birth, Cardiff.

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

Bethan Collins