Birth Roots
Lauren, Mum to Macson, 3 and Dylan ~ born at home
I can't recommend Lisa enough as a Doula. We worked with her for the birth of our second child, and she was absolutely brilliant throughout all of our time with her.
When I first met with Lisa she listened and beautifully held space for the story of my difficult first birth, my unresolved feelings about it and my hopes and fears for my second. Over the course of two antenatal visits, Lisa worked with my partner and I to build our knowledge and confidence in natural birth, sharing books and resources with us and introducing us to KGHypnobirthing, which worked so much better for us than the hypnobirthing course we'd done previously. When any questions or worries came up for me during pregnancy, while writing my birth plan, during hospital appointments etc, I felt so supported and reassured being able to speak to Lisa about it, and all the evidence-based knowledge and further reading she shared in response really helped me to make informed decisions about my care.
All of this work with Lisa helped me to stay on the path I wanted for my second birth, which ended up being a beautiful, powerful and positive experience at home. Lisa's presence at the birth was wonderful. I felt completely comfortable with her in my birth space, soothed by her in moments where I needed help staying calm, and her gentle expert guidance became even more invaluable when my home birth turned into an accidental free birth – Lisa calmly encouraged me into a good position for delivery, and guided my partner in receiving our baby and passing him to me, before the midwives arrived 5 minutes later. After the birth Lisa stayed with us for several hours, supporting me in making decisions about my care, making cups of tea and bringing snacks, and we were so grateful to find she'd also cleaned everything up and put a wash on for us!
In the days following the birth Lisa came to visit us all, and it was wonderful to see her and talk through our birth experience with her.
Lisa was fantastic at the birth of first born Poppy, she was so helpful and reassuring before, during and after the birth, I'm not sure what we would have done without her, especially since Poppy was born before the midwife arrived. Every pregnant woman should have a Lisa.
Lisa was also present at my next two births and she prepared a range of placenta remedies for me, including a smoothie, capsules, essence for baby and tincture for me, all wonderfully benefical as part of my post paertum healing.
Kat, Mum to Poppy, Toby & Rowan, all born at home ~ one birth before arrival, the others freebirths
♥ baby Rowan, showing physiological transference of blood to baby complete, Kat benefited from a placenta smoothie within the hour following his birth
Having been one of the first clients for Lisa, we were delighted with her knowledge and dedication to researching all aspects of birthing that we discussed. She listened and addressed all our needs and was there for us throughout with support and encouragement. I hope we have the privilege of working with her on another birth, hopefully giving us the opportunity to engage in all the natural birthing experiences and methods we discussed as our first was a planned caesarean due to a large breech baby. I would highly recommend her to anyone who would like to work with a doula.
Lucy, Mum to Anoushka, who felt informed and prepared for her caesarean birth
From my experience with the wonderful Lisa Doula, it’s all about the C’s – she gave me the CONFIDENCE to have the birth I wanted, the information I needed to make the right CHOICES, she helped to create a CALM and COMFORTABLE environment to birth in
and she empowered me to feel CAPABLE throughout the whole experience.
Most importantly for me, she enabled my husband to enjoy the experience, supporting him to be there for me.
In short she helped me to have the most amazing experience of my life as I welcomed my daughter into the world.
Jodye, diagnosed with gestational diabetes and Mum to Elizabeth, homebirthed beautifully
Not only did Lisa enable me to have the confidence to have the birthing experience at home that I wanted through her gentle mentoring and guidance, she also 'held my hand' through a very long labour and emergency caesarean birth. Her calm and confident manner was exactly what our family needed. Nothing was too much to ask and I will be forever grateful. Every pregnant woman should have a Doula like Lisa!
Eluned, Mum to Morgan and twin boys ~ calm, caesarean birth
♥ Morgan, first cwtch following caesarean birth after a long and happy labour at home
Lisa is such a soulful lady, she gave me the confidence to help me plan for my positive birth. She helped me with the tools, affirmations and confidence I needed. She gave me tips on creating the birth space I needed to feel relaxed and safe in. I can honestly say Lisa is amazing, I really had my birth my way thanks to her.
Melissa, Mum to Indigo and Phoenix, who was homebirthed
♥ baby Phoenix covered in vernix, natures own moisturiser, having skin to skin with Mum after her amazing home birth
I found your positivity and your gentle support a real treasure. You have been an excellent example of a Doula and any woman
who has you as theirs is lucky. Thank you for what you've given me so far.
Maia, Mum to Corabell ~ born in hospital
I got to know Lisa during my pregnancy and she did a beautiful painting on my pregnant belly to help me celebrate my blessing way. Lisa also did a closing the bones ceremony for me post partum. It was a difficult time for myself and my family as my son had died at term. We had also never been to a closing the bones and so didn’t know what to expect. Lisa made us all feel very comfortable. She lead a beautiful but relatively informal ceremony that helped myself and my friends acknowledge me as a mother, acknowledge the ending of my pregnancy and to being the life long journey of healing. It was a very special time and made me feel very loved and cared for. She arranged things beautifully.
Rose, Mum to Raven, who died before birth
I met Lisa at her positive pregnancy group and she quickly understood that I needed to unload many feelings regarding my son's birth and subsequent difficulties. She listened! Wow, it felt wonderful to work through all that and certainly this helped me to open up again to the idea of a positive birth for the second time.
Lisa created a safe environment to explore ideas about a new birth plan and shared her books and advice. I had a hospital birth, an induction, but the birth was unreal. It was as if Lisa was there, I was really conscious of articles that I had read on the Facebook page and I was so excited to see her afterwards to meet my darling girl!
Thanks Lisa you complete star.
Sarah, Mum to Benji and Olive
♥ little Olive in the early days following a positive induction. Sarah made a conscious decision to go slowly post-partum and when she remembers it years on it gives her a warm, fuzzy glow
Lisa is a calming, caring knowledgeable person, who gave me so much advice leading up to my positive birth. She empowers women to gain the knowledge they need around birth, to make their own personal decisions about what they might want. Without her, I am sure it would have been very different for many mums. Thanks Lisa!
Sophie, Mum to Leela, Ana and Clemetine
♥ Clemmie, a very happy and positive hospital birth, welcomed home by her big sisters
Lisa is extremely knowledgeable & supportive. A calming, caring person who genuinely champions empowering woman and their positive birth experience. Her knowledge & compassion are second to none and I'm so happy to say she was my Doula and Placenta Specialist. Thank you Lisa!
Stacey, Mum to Ryver and Forrest, who was a BBA (birth before arrival) at home
♥ tandem feeding following an unexpected birth before arrival, born powerfully into Daddy's arms
The Cerrada ceremony with Lisa was beautiful and very thoughtful. Lisa is kind and strong. Her calm openness brings a wonderful quiet energy to the ceremony. It is a time to heal on many levels. For me it was a very important intermission: a moment to be fully present, to reflect, farewell, and be thankful for everything that has come to pass. Lisa created a lovely space for this ceremony to take place and reminded me that we come from a long line of women - their strength carried in our bones. It's a thought that I have held on to. This kind of care should be available to every woman. I found it extremely healing; a special moment.
Catrin, Mum to Nela and Boas
I knew from the moment I thought about my second birth that I wanted Lisa as my Doula. We had decided on a Doula as my partner works several hours away so may have missed the birth (he didn't) and also when giving birth to my first child I felt very unheard and pressured out of my choices.
Lisa helped me make informed choices and feel in complete control. My birth was exactly how I had hoped it would be. Calm, pain-free and relaxed. I even said 'wow that was easy!' moments after.
When I went into labour I remember the feeling of calm and the smell of lavender when Lisa arrived.
I would absolutely recommend Lisa 100 times over.
Alisha, Mum to Aryaan and Amaya, hospital waterbirth
♥ tranquil, gentle waterbirth, into Mummy's embrace
After a traumatic birth with my first baby Lisa helped me to have a lovely birth with my second. Even though the baby came very quickly on the bathroom floor and I then had to go to hospital due to blood loss, Lisa remained calm and helpful through it all. Having her there really helped me to relax and enjoy the experience. She helped with both the emotional side of things and the practical. She also remembered to take some fab photos. I would definitely recommend her.
Abi, Mum to Reubyn and Rory, who was born swiftly at home
'At 28 weeks, I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes, which ticked a high risk box generally meaning extra intervention and a hospital birth. I knew I would need more preparation and information to make sure I was comfortable with the birth choices that would be put upon me. I sought advice and through a friend found Lisa. Lisa was brilliant at empowering me to trust my gut instincts and signposting me to articles and information that would help me understand the 'risks', which led to us negotiating a home birth with the medical team. Lisa was also brilliant with antenatal advice looking at birth preferences to help prepare us for the birth we wanted. We ended up delivering our beautiful baby girl in the birth pool at home with no pain relief, the midwifes didn't make it in time. I stayed calm and empowered throughout and I know Lisa's input was a big factor in preparing me for the natural birth I wanted. Thank you.
Nancy, Mum to Amalie and Jasper ~ homebirths
♥ Jasper, born at home with big sister looking on
Nancy, Mum to Amalie and Jasper ~ homebirths
♥ Jasper, born at home with big sister looking on
Lisa thank you so much for your inspiring words, that helped no end through the pregnancy and free birth of little Ebony (2016).
I am so grateful for the power of the circle and would highly recommend choosing Lisa to provide placenta encapsulation. A respectful, caring and supportive experience. The capsules have provided an uplift and there have been no signs of that dark cloud that I previously suffered postpartum.
Jo, Mum to Layla, Ebony and Jake ~ waterbirth at home
2016
Lisa is very knowledgeable and passionate about positive birthing. I have always found her to be approachable, friendly, and very supportive. Lisa completed my placenta encapsulation and was incredibly professional, answered all my questions and delivered an excellent service. I would highly recommend birth-roots for a range of support and services during pregnancy.
2018
Having Lisa support us with the birth of our son was one of the best pregnancy decisions we have made.
Lisa's compassion and empathy meant that she was able to attune to what we needed as a family and align with our birth preferences to assist us in achieving the birth we wanted.
Her support during the antenatal period, while we negotiated consultant appointments and monitoring due to longer term pregnancy, was gentle, reassuring, and informative and she helped us to feel more confident in the decisions we were making, while never imposing her own agenda or thoughts.
Lisa is incredibly knowledgeable and was able to signpost us to sources of research and information when needed.
Her attendance at the birth of our son not only provided additional care for mum and baby, and secondary support for dad, but also the ability to have our three daughters present, and to experience the birth of our last baby together, as a family.
Lesley, Mum to Arianwen, Megan, Angharad and Ioan .. all homebirthed
♥ baby Ioan having cuddles with Daddy, while they all bask in the glow of their family centred home birth ~ Lesley is enjoying her placenta smoothie here too :)
As a fellow Doula, Lisa is a gentle thoughtful soul. I am forever searching out her wisdom around holistic therapies and traditions.
She opens her heart, mind and soul and shares all she knows for the betterment of women. Doulaing can be heart warming and heart breaking and the supportive circle Doulas like Lisa provide, means I can be better able to support women myself.
Thank you for your unstinting support on my journey.
Samantha Gadsden, fellow Doula