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About Me/See comments from past clients
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Home | About Me/See comments from past clients | Contact Me/My Fees
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ME AND THE SERVICE I OFFER YOU AND YOUR FAMILY
My name is Helen Sinclair, and I am a mother of three grown children, three young grandchildren, and for many
years, until recently, been a foster mum to many babies and children aged between 0-4 years. So I have a wealth
of experience to offer clients.
I experienced both wonderful and not so wonderful births
with my own children. I was induced early with the birth of my first son and he was no where near ready to
be born, I endured a long and very painful labour, and was left feeling unfulfilled and dissatisfied about what had 'been
done to me'. This led me to fight very hard for a home birth with my second child. Back in the early 1980's
it was unheard of to have a home birth but I battled on and I was so happy that my son was born at home. The experience was
altogether very different. I spent the day with my husband in slow labour, and gave birth to my son
with no pain relief, peacefully in our home, quite the opposite to my first birth. My family and his
young brother were all waiting downstairs for his first cry and he was taken to be introduced to them soon after. I
then snuggled down in my own bed satisfied and content. Due to a medical condition with my second son (nothing to do
with him being born at home) I chose to have my third baby in hospital and because I had written a very detailed
birth plan I was much more in control of the situation than with my first birth. And hospital staff consulted with me every
step of the way, this resulted in a much better hospital experience. Therefore my own births were so profound and powerful, that I have long wanted
to help make a difference for other women, going through the same daunting but exciting road. I therefore trained as
a Doula in 2006, so that I could en-power women towards the most positive birth experience possible. I have supported many
women in the postnatal period both family, friends and through my work as a foster carer, working with mom's in very
difficult situations. My experience
and knowledge as a doula grows all the time the more births I attend, I have supported many clients
in having vaginal deliveries after ceaserean sections with previous births, at home or in hospital which ever they choose.
Helen was recommended to me by a friend who had a lovely waterbirth. I
had never heard of a doula but I liked the idea of a home birth. I had tried to have a waterbirth with my first baby
in hospital but following unnecessary intervention, I ended up with an epidural, episiotomy and forceps. With my second
baby I was determined to have more control and really wanted a totally natural and active labour and birth, so I decided to
have Helen as my doula. She provided me with options I didn't even know I had and the confidence and support I needed
to go ahead with a home waterbirth. It was the best experience of my life. I honestly didn't realise how much of
a benefit having a doula was until after I experienced her expertise with labouring women. Helen was totally in tune
with how I was feeling and empowered me to keep going. She used aromatherapy oils, massage which worked really well.
Even the midwives commented on how well I coped but it was only with Helen's help! The atmosphere at home was wonderful
and relaxed. My husband felt the pressure was off him and even came into the birthing pool with me, and so experienced
skin to skin contact with our baby girl. Unanticipated complications occurred after the birth of Matilda and so I had
to transfer to hospital (nothing connected with the homebirth). Helen went with us, stayed the whole time and words can't
express how much of a help and support she was. I would strongly recommend the help of a doula for any woman who wants the
support to have the birth she wants.
Thank you Helen for enabling me to the perfect birth.
Amy and Matt Matthews
(February 2011, homebirth 2nd child)
Hi Helen
I just wanted you to pass on my thoughts
to anyone looking to hire Helen as a Doula. It was my first pregnancy and I was determined to try to go as far as possible
to have a normal delivery.
Yes, Helen was a great support during the labour process and after 72 hours, and on
New Year's Day 2011, I managed to give birth to my princess after a lovely water birth! Followed by a physiological third
stage. What amazed me most and what I'll always remember are the things Helen did after the delivery.
I
was able to successfully breast feed my baby with Helen's help and knowing that she was available at the end of the phone
was very reassuring. Her encouragement and positivity helped me to know that I can be a a happy mum!
Above
all, Helen's letter to my baby was the most delightful reminder of probably the best day of my life!
Thanks
Helen
From All of Us xx
January 2011 (first baby, hospital birth)
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Thank you so much for being my doula and my friend, I dont think
I could
of had a homebirth without your constant support and
encouragement. You really opened my eyes and put my mind
at
ease during my pregnancy, I really appreciated you coming to
my hospital visits etc.
Finally thankyou for
being with me in labour, you really do have
'magic' hands, you eased my contractions so much and again put
my mine and Scott's mind at ease. We will always look back at that
day with fondness thanks to you.
LOTS
OF LOVE SCOTT AND NICKI WILKES (JULY 2009, 2nd baby homebirth)
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Hiring Helen has got to be at the top of the list of best decisions every made! The birth of Mia
was by far the most magnificent thing I have ever done, and Helen helped me to acheive what I had always wanted - a perfect
birth! It was my first pregnancy, and I had decided to give birth at home in the birthing pool.. Helen
firstly provided me with the knowledge and advice that I needed in order to do this, and trust me; this was not an easy process!
If it hadn't have been for her, I think I would have ended up in hospital, enduring a hellish labour that resulted in
a C-section. From the very first telephone call at 26 weeks, until a week after Mia was born, Helen was
on hand for unlimited amounts of advice, support and tips on how best to cope with some of the strange things that were happening
to me (at all times of the night!). When I had lost all hope of Mia ever entering the world- helen was
there willing me to carry on, massaging my back, and simply helping me to focus enabling me to trust in my body's ability
to give birth. This belief led to a very happy, comfortable and empowing experience which I will never forget- the birth
of our daughter. Minus pain relief too. Doulas are not recognised enough for the amount of work, support
and pure emotion that they unselfeshly give to their clients. Not only is the woman supported during prenancy, the whole
of labour (ensuring continuity of care) and beyond, her family also feel comforted by the presence of such a warm and knowledgeable
person. not to take the place of midwives of course, but to provide the much needed emotional support during labour,
and in partiuclar, first pregnancies. I would not hesitate to recommend Helen to any pregnant lady, and
urge anyone visiing this site to pick up the phone and talk to a woman that will change your view of childbirth forever! Helen
- Thank you so much X Donna, Derrick, and Baby Mia Newton. (April 2008, homebirth 1st baby)
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For most women having a baby is one of the most
amazing and wonderful moments of their lifetime, however it brought confusion, despair, hopelessness and fear for me.
I did not know about Doula's or Helen at the time and the process was a nightmare, it is a miracle that my darling baby is
alive this day. I was very isolated but then meeting Helen postnatally brought light into my life. Words
are beyond any explanation that I may give as to the role she has played to make me the happy person that I again am.
She was very professional in her approach and dealings with my baby, performing her postnatal role with excellent precision.
She never judged or patronised me, but all the advice was given with love and concern. She is results-driven and will
not rest until her clients are satisfied. With me, she has crossed that line that demarcates between professional and
client. She became the mother I do not have here and the nan to my darling baby. I can call on her at anytime
knowing that she will be there for my baby and I. My birthing process had left me scarred, it being the first time also,
but now I look forward to the time when I shall have a second baby. I will hire and have Helen all the way from antenatal
to the postnatal stage, because I know and believe in her dedication, devotion and love, which are like second nature to her.
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Hi Helen Me and Khurim
just want to say thank you for everything that you have done for us. I
never thought I would be able to give birth normally after a caesarean with my first son but you believed in me, you supported
me and helped me achieve it. It was a very difficult time
as the hospital & consultants told me that there was no way that I would give birth normally, they said I had a small
pelvis & I had CPD. Everytime they said these things I would get upset & cry but you were always there for me
comforting me even over the phone. You showed a true belief in me and made me realise that I could do it, that there
was nothing wrong with my body. The labour was long &
hard but you were there with me all the way. You helped me so much I cant believe it but I done it!!! We done
it!!! You have been great throughout my pregnancy, labour,
birth and after. Your so full of knowledge and so experienced in what you do. I will never forget what you helped
me to acheive - the odds were against us but because you believed in me, I believed in myself and thats how we achieved the
birth I wanted. Thank you once again! Love Rina, Khurim, Juber and Ismail (hosptial birth, VBAC April 2008)
Thank you very much for supporting me to acheive my empowered home birth
after caesarean. When my first son was born in 2004 I had an induced
labour, interventions and emergency caesarean which was a very negative experience for me and my partner. I was not aware about the service and care a doula can provide until I read about it on
an internet forum. I first contacted you at around 36 weeks pregnant when I felt I could so with some support to go
for a vbac (vaginal birth after caesarean) but wasn't sure about homebirth. From
the start you listened to us and were there for us not matter what. Your calm support and words during labour and birth
helped me to get through and give birth to my baby the way I wanted. I am so happy and will always be grateful for your
help. I am so glad I found you and would not hesitate to use you
again or reccomend your services as a doula. I wish more women were aware of this fantastic service. Lots of Love Kelly, Stuart,
Finley and Connor (July 2007, VBAC homebirth, 2nd baby)
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