My wife and I have considered Doulas and private midwives in the past, but never used one. This was our 3rd child and we now wish we had used a Doula for all previous births. The service was very useful to both myself and my wife. From the very beginning, Natalie was providing crucial information and planning about our desired birth experience, informing us of our rights in a hospital environment, informing us of our choices. She was also critical to the successful delivery of our son without any pain control what so ever besides some gas and air, being comforting, and motivating while never making me or my wife feel pressured into any agenda . One quickly forgets that a birth plan is never thought of during the chaotic labour process, Natalie was paramount in ensuring we had the birth plan we wanted without having to deal with hospital staff. She was there the entire time providing support, information and care, she stayed late and repeatedly visited afterwards to ensure assistance with breast feeding and post birth baby and mother care. I was able to focus on the event of the birth in its entirety due to Natalie’s support and care, most Dads wouldn't even think of this factor, it's worth more to me than i could have imagined. I would unreservedly recommend Natalie’s Doula services to anyone. Her professionalism, kind and friendly re-assuring personality made us feel comfortable, her clear in depth knowledge of the birth process and surrounding medical related factors made us confident.

Chris Gondek

Photograph: Natalie Harris Doula & Baby Thomas