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Doula Services (Ginny) I knew I wanted a drug-free VBAC. I had the emotional baggage from my first birth experience. It never left me. I knew I needed extra help with the kind of birth experience I wanted. I knew my husband would benefit - as much as I will - from the help of a doula too. If I had a doula during my daughter's birth, labour would not have to be unnecessarily long and emotionally draining. Ginny was there throughout my pregnancy, labour and birth. She gave me assurance whenever I doubted, she supported me whenever I needed that extra strength and voice. Thank you, Ginny. - Angeline Yes, it was 'male' instinctive resistance initially. Eventually, my persistent wife convinced me to let her engage a doula. I kept an open mind from our very first meeting with Ginny. She made me realize that my initial resistance was unnecessary. She was not to replace me as a husband, but a very great help to have around. She has hands that massage better than mine. She was the assurance when we almost panicked. She opened us to 'options'. Her classes gave me the confidence to hold my wife at home till the final stage. If only we had her for our first child as well. I would encourage all first-time parents to engage a doula to assist in your birth experience. - Angeline's husband, Burt. |
When we discovered Sharon was expecting Baby Joshua, we were considering having a active and drug-free birth. It was not because Sharon was brave and wanted to tough-it-out, in fact we were wondering if she could handle the pain of labour as she had fainted a few times before when she had pre-mentrual cramps. It helped alot to hear the birth experience of Sharon 's sister who had gone through natural birth experience with Amy. As the pregnancy progressed, we were more convinced to minimise any unnecessary medical interventions for the labour process so that Sharon could relax and labour better. Also we wanted to limit any unnecessary prodding and drugs for Baby Joshua and mummy. Since we wanted to have a active and drug-free birth and it was our first birth experience, we had doula support. Having a doula helped alot because it made our birth experience more positive and affirming. It made a world of difference to have people who believed in me and supported me when I was in labour. After having such a birth experience, we are convinced that being active in labour with no drugs is not only possible but it's an experience that left us feeling more empowered. Now Sharon does not think she has a low threshold for pain and we also believe that it made us bond closer with Baby Joshua. - Silas, Sharon and Baby Joshua |
If I am allowed to give only one valuable advice to a mum-to-be from my own experience, it would be to engage a doula (Ginny!!). She is incredible, not just her head knowledge of childbirth, but her gentleness and patience with a mother in labour, is worth the highest compliments. - Cindy & Tim Begent-Chia who had a vaginal breech footling birth. |
For pregnancy, labouring and birthing, my doula was someone I could trust to be there for me with the questions and the answers on hand. She helped give me the confidence that this birth could be different. She helped provide the facts for my husband too, so he was more aware and supportive of my options, and the decisions I chose to make. - Ellen |
| Antenatal Classes (Ginny) |
I find the class very comprehensive... good enough to DIY during labour :) Even my hubby benefited from it & supported my birth choice! - Joyce who attended class 2 for her second child. |
Was initially afraid that the class would be attended and conducted by a bunch of "earth mamas" wanting to embrace pain, and talk new age mumbo jumbo. Didn't think I needed a birth plan, or to know the options available to me during childbirth. Options? You mean there are options? I was just thinking of going in and doing whatever the good nurses & doc told me to. The classes opened my eyes to the choices I had, and how little I knew about what I was to go through. |
As a husband, I found the classes empowering because of the knowledge that I gained to participate in this wonderful process of having a kid. It is funny (and sad?) that we spend so much time on our work, hobbies etc., but choose not to spend as much time finding out about how to best support our wives in their pregnancy, labor and infant care. The classes are practical and not boring. I remembered the role-playing that was done in the birth option class during my wife's labor, so I knew what to expect. Showing us 6 bottles of formula milk (what the tin of milk instructs you to feed your child each day) and one walnut(the size of baby's stomach) really brought home the point how little an infant really needs to take in at each feed at the start, and why breast-feeding is more effective. The questions raised by different couples in the small classes also made the lessons interactive and impactful. The 3-4 hours spent each week in class were definitely worth every minute. - Rachel's husband, Sze Men |
| Antenatal Classe 3 (Labor ..) |
Basically I found the technique of role playing, and watching others role playing to be very effective, and I think it impacted on my consciousness far more strongly than it would have done if it had been in a more lecturing, academic style! So essentially I really liked it, and I thought your style and manner was very good! - Toby |
Well, Abel and I found the one class that we DID attend to be very helpful. The 'intervention cascade'exercise was almost a re- enactment of our previous birth experience that helped me especially to come to terms with what had led up to the emergency cesarean section. - Pin Sym, who later had a drug free vbac. |
"Endless thanks to Ginny for all the help and support for making this birth the way I hope for. We really appreciate those hours you sacrificed your sleep to help me through the whole process of labour and birth. Without you, I would be so lost and my experience would not be the same. You are God sent. We are so lucky to have known you." - Christine |
We want you to know that we definitely benefited from attending your Strategies for Labour and Making Decisions classes. The classes were very enlightening (more so for Niranjan, because I had been soaking in all possible info thru the Net and library books since day 1) I would say that based on what he learnt in your classes, he was able to understand and appreciate my point-of-view regarding many birth rites and was able to be support me when dealing with the KKH staff. - Nandini |
"You are the one that allowed me to enjoy my second birth. Until now my husband still says: 'glad we had the doula'." - Tian Sew |
"Thank you Amy, for all the kindness, patience and love which you showered us. The advice and support, I will honestly not forget. In knowing you, I've come to understand myself better as a parent." - Bernie |
| "I wouldn't have been able to pull through Jordan 's birth without you, you've been such a source of comfort and all those positive strokes! I would have really buckled and caved in otherwise. I thank God for you and the confident, calm and reassuring ways that you've brought to our family." - Gayle |
| And from Gayle's husband: "It was a wonderful feeling to know that I'll enjoy the birth of my child with Gayle, without any worries - having Amy there to play a 'guardian's' role... the look of reassurance from time-to-time, the presence that I'd feel secure that everything will be ok." - Vincent |
"There are NO words to describe how GRATEFUL I am to have met you - first as my doula, then as a friend and mentor." - Jamie |
"I was skeptical during the pregnancy about how useful a doula would be for my wife, but at the birth I realised our doula was worth every single cent. The birth was a wonderful, positive and exhilarating experience for both my wife and myself, we were informed and empowered... every couple deserves to have a doula. It was completely opposite to the medical-intervention nightmare of the first birth". - Terence |
"Thank you for your care which is unforgettable, and for sharing our joy of bringing Charlene to the world. You are always in our fondest memory." - Lai Si |
"Thank you very much! You have made our birth experience a wonderful and memorable one. Till now, I'm still grateful to you, your help and presence during our baby's birth." - Ping Hui ; |
"I could never thank you enough for all the guidance and support you have given me to help me welcome Qile into this world in the most beautiful way. Your caring and "online coaching" empowered me to achieve my dream of birthing Qile naturally and without drugs or intervention. For a primip ( first time mother ), my satisfying birth experience is nothing short of a wonder! Totally drug-free and intervention-free... how could I have done that on my own? I couldn't have! But I did, all thanks to you, Amy! For being so supportive of me, for sharing so much about natural labour and active birthing, for helping me focus on what my husband and I wanted for Qile's birth... You were always there for me! |
"Your sweet and quiet demeanor seldom betrays the passion you have inside for friends, mommies, breastfeeding and the childbirth process. Without you, I wonder if I could have chosen and kept to, what to me, is the right path to nurturing/nursing my child, and now, in giving birth." - Magdelene |
"You've taught us so many things, and been one of God's greatest blessings." - Lulu |
"Thanks for all the advice and sharing that you have given. It is great knowing you." - Peck Yin |
"You really helped us out in the early days when both baby and I were still learning how to breastfeed. I don't know if we would have made it without you, we will forever be grateful! You've been such a tremendous support and inspiration to many women in Singapore , and you will continue to be for many moms and moms-to-be wherever you go." - Linda |