Introducing some of the newest members of our Ideal Birth family ...
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I would highly recommend the use of a doula and specifically Cheryl for supporting you through your late stage pregnancy, birth and post-birth needs.
I was under the care of the Birth Centre, RBWH who are a fantastic team, but as a share care model there was little continuity in the support I received in the lead up to my birth and particularly during a long labour. As a first time mother, it was of huge benefit to have the coaching and support of such an experienced doula - someone who has been through 100's of births and understands the twists and turns of pregnancy and particularly birth. This experience means that Cheryl provides a very calming and steady hand - she's able to explain your options, slows your racing mind and ensures that you stay true to the birth you intended.
Our birth didn't "go to plan", yet despite this I was really satisfied and content with my birth, and avoided any trauma by having Cheryl, together with my husband, working as a team for the 24 hour labour.
For husbands/birth partners - it's important to know that Cheryl doesn't replace or reduce their role. In fact, I believe my husband was more confident and active during our birth as he'd had plenty of opportunity to ask questions and get to understand the process before he was suddenly in a room with medico's rushing about.
A doula works with you prior to the birth (we had multiple meetings with Cheryl in our home where she got to know us well and understand what we were looking for), and for six-weeks after birth. Again, it was a huge advantage to have someone so experienced at the end of the phone/text
with the endless new-Mum questions and also available to drop over at short notice.
I cannot recommend Cheryl and her services more highly. You'll feel in control and well supported to have a birth of your choice.
Cheryl has supported us through 2 drug free labours, which ended up being two amazing experiences. I always wanted a drug free labour, but it is very easy to doubt yourself and Cheryl was extremely helpful, encouraging and has a way of taking the fear away and create a very calm and comfortable environment.
Cheryl changed our whole experience of childbirth. From the first moment we met her she helped to the make the whole process a more relaxing and enjoyable experience. The support she provided has been invaluable. I highly recommend her services to anyone to allow you to maximize your enjoyment of this special experience in life.
I am so thankful we had Cheryl at the birth of our beautiful baby boy Alex. It ended up being slightly more complicated than we expected but Cheryl provided so much experience, support and much needed guidance, especially when dealing with decisions in the birthing suite as my labour progressed. She has such a gentle but confident manner, I trusted her implicitly, as did my husband, to support us through something that was completely unknown for us. Her advice and help in the lead up to the birth and also after Alex came home was also invaluable. It helped us to feel more empowered and knowledgable as first time parents. I can't recommend Cheryl enough, I would never go through a labour again with our amazing doula beside us! Sending massive thanks and gratitude from Susie, Luke and baby Alex.
Cheryl attended my 2nd birth as the ‘back up’ doula for Selena Rollason. They worked so closely together in the lead up to me going into labour that I felt comfortable and supported by both of them, but most importantly by Cheryl who was there on that very special day. If it weren’t for Cheryl and her calm advocacy I may not have been able to go home from hospital to labour as I was there for a check up when my waters broke and i was in early labour. Going home made all the difference as I went from 0 to 10cm within 3 hours once we left the hospital. Cheryl met us back at the hospital, again, calm and confident, as I struggled to make it to the door! I am so proud of my vbac and I know it was my own inner strength that got me there, but having a doula who can help create the right environment within the medical model meant I could just focus on giving birth, and my husband could also just be in the moment with me. She was available postnatally, and recommended a great massage therapist for self- care after baby. Thank you Cheryl. X
As a first time expectant mum I didn’t really know what was ahead of me and that big unknown made birth seem a very intimidating and hard thing. I knew I wanted a natural birth but with all of these horror stories about birth that everyone had the urge to share with me, I soon understood that my husband and I would need support to achieve the birth I wanted. Cheryl has been the perfect fit for our team, we learned a lot during her prenatal visits but most importantly she got me excited for my birth. All my fears, doubts and anxiety about birth got smaller and smaller as I gained more and more knowledge, thanks to Cheryl. In the end I had a vaginal birth without any pain relief. Was it the birth I had in mind? No it wasn’t but the whole time I felt safe and strong, I knew “I’ve got this” because of my team ( my husband, Cheryl and the midwives from the birth center). Cheryl was with us during the whole birth (30 hours) and we would not have been able to have the positive birth we had without her calm presence. Birthing our beautiful baby daughter is the most empowering thing I’ve ever done, I feel proud and strong and I know that this power has changed me forever into a strong and confident mum. Cheryl truly was the best companion for our birth.
“ Cheryl is one of those amazing people who is living and breathing her passion. She has been an integral part of my three labours and births. ”
Elizabeth
Give yourself the best chance of a positive birth in a hospital setting. A new book by one of Australias leading doulas, Cheryl Sheriff.
Sharing wisdom from her 30 years experience as a midwife and doula, and her presence at over 1000 hospital births.
After reading this book you will have more direction, and feel confident, excited and less daunted by the experiences to come.
