I’m very grateful that I met Red and I enjoyed and appreciated her visits a lot! She helped and supported me during the first months; I don’t know what I would have done without her! She has a great personality and an excellent knowledge about babies, breastfeeding and all other related topics. I love her nature-based approach and I can fully recommend her to all other mums-to-be! I love your personality, you are always calm and relaxed, friendly and open, not stressed or under time pressure. I love that you have a natural-based approach and that you have a great knowledge of health in general. I appreciate a lot all the advice you gave me, may it be a recommendation for breastfeeding, coconut oil, craniosacral therapy or baby massage.
Yvonne
Having a private midwife for my 5th pregnancy was a great experience. The antenatal appointments at home were so much more convenient for the whole family than going for hospital check-ups with 4 children. Red was great at involving the kids too. They would even try to feel where their little brother’s head was! Having longer appointments gave me time to ask all my questions and address any concerns in details. So different to a doctor’s room where I would only spend 5-10 minutes. During the pregnancy, I felt generally better than the previous times because more attention was given to my iron level and general diet. During the home birth, Red was very patient, even though I had a really long pre-labour. She gave me all the time I needed to labour as I wanted to. There was absolutely no rush and she ended up spending about 9 hours (!) with me to make sure I was completely well before she left. This was the first time that I could labour and birth a baby exactly as I wanted to. I had the most restful day at home after the delivery. Not being woken up all the time by hospital staff was a big bonus.:) I’m really thankful for the wonderful midwifery care I received!
Agnes
Refresher class: I liked most that I was able to ‘debrief’ our previous birth experience. It also gave me confidence to hear what we can do better (differently) next time, and that perhaps once the little hiccups (logistics) are resolved, we have what it takes to make the next time much smoother. Our two biggest discoveries in our refresher class with Red was the vocalization techniques and that the doula’s role is to support the decisions of the parents and (not make decision for them) thus they cannot speak on behalf of the parents. So we need to be more active and vocal in our participation of all the decision-making! The refresher was very useful as there were a lot of details that we had forgotten, so it was very useful to have those blanks filled in. We could ask plenty of questions that were specific to our situation, which was especially helpful because we already had a good idea of what we wanted to achieve for this birth. This helps us obtain more targeted information. Red is very open and gives a lot of down to earth advice based on real life experiences, so we benefit from that and not simply a theoretical or textbook view of Hypnobirthing. Simple things like putting up reminders for the people entering the birthing ward are practical and useful tips. How little touches and reminders can ‘hold the space’ to ensure that people entering the birthing ward can be a quiet, calm, and respectful. Red is very polite and soft spoken. She uses a gentle approach to communicate her opinions and empathizes with our views.
Ben & Xiuwen
As a dad I liked Red’s upfront teaching style-honest, direct, with humor which further increased my awareness of my role in the process. Most books or programs do not really address the role of the dad in a meaningful way. Energetic, upfront, and frank in her views about the birthing process while remaining respectful and diplomatic.
Seger
I liked the way Red presented the concept that pain during birth is OK, and even beneficial! The hypnobirthing book seems to give the impression that all hypnobirths ‘should’ be painless.
K. X.
What we liked most about the classes was that there was active discussion and videos of positive, beautiful births to really counter all of the negative, screaming images that we see and can easily become hard-wired into our sub-conscious. I also really liked that it wasn’t a really dogmatic approach, and you kept stressing that Hynobirthing can be done in hospitals, even if you end up getting a c-section or whatever, you can keep the principles in your mind, but crucially you haven’t FAILED if that’s what happens. I think that’s really important because a lot of the natural birth rhetoric I found actually quite dogmatic and daunting for expectant mums. It was also great that Red would mention about really beautiful births she’s been at over the weekend before the class or whatever, because it really made it seem possible, not just in the videos. We also found it hugely helpful to have your experience as a midwife brought to bear on the class to as often you would add extra medical and research dimensions that weren’t in the book.
Nikki & Oli
I had already done prenatal classes with another organization, although I still felt unprepared about the process of giving birth. With Red the one-to-one sessions helped me to prepare mentally. The sessions were educational (not overwhelming) and the most important thing was her approach to giving birth naturally. By speaking with her, I felt empowered about the choices I had made. She was also very helpful in making my husband feel included and coached him on how he could offer help during the birthing process.
Amreen
During one of our prenatal appointments, you asked me what my favourite part about giving birth was. I remember thinking, the only thing I like about giving birth is when it’s over. You changed my opinion entirely. Now if I had to answer that same question, I would say there are many wonderful things about giving birth. With the right care, giving birth naturally is one of the most empowering experiences a woman will have. Giving birth is nothing to fear. Over the 9 months you cared for us, my fear evaporated. During labour I felt totally in control. What a difference to my previous births where I was frightened of the pain, focused on the pain and asking for direction. In fact, I don’t even remember the pain. I just remember feeling all the good things our body gives us to make us feel euphoric and awesome. I loved how you sat there quietly and watched and marveled. No need for touching me at all, just silently reassuring me that everything was perfect and amazing. Plus, if intervention was required, I knew there was not anyone more capable. You have the wisdom of a woman who she herself has labored 100 times. This wisdom along with your amazing education, experience and ongoing desire to learn make you very special! I believe that any woman, no matter how she decides to birth will be better off with you by her side. Jethro could not have had a better start to his precious little life. We love you and all you do for woman and their babies!
Ashleigh
Initially I came to see Red during my pregnancy for (Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy) CST to help my body release tension and promote inner strength during the pregnancy. I’ve received so much benefit that I’ve continued post-natal sessions too! During our sessions I have a profound experience of deep peace and connection to self. Afterwards I feel renewed, alive, and less tension in my bodymind. Red has a wonderful, intuitive healing touch.
Amy
Hi Red, wanted to thank you for all the expertise you shared with my husband and I as well as your positive attitude! Today our little girl was born with no interventions; in fact we arrived at the hospital just in time for her birth! You gave us the confidence we needed to achieve a natural birth, so thank you!! Xx
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