I sought out a doula after a traumatic birth experience with my first child followed by a very difficult breastfeeding journey which was ultimately cut short - a disappointment that has weighed heavy on me ever since. During the postnatal period I couldn’t find the support or guidance I needed from the NHS or private lactation consultants and felt utterly desperate and isolated.
Determined to have a better experience with my second child and, in particular, to find the joy in breastfeeding, I contacted Angela.
From the moment we met, I was struck by Angela’s warmth, vibrancy of character, her nurturing style and vast capacity for empathy.
Angela worked tirelessly to curate a birth plan that was tailored to our particular challenges and needs and one that put me in the optimal position to successfully breastfeed my baby, all backed up by extensive research. Equipped with a plan for every eventuality, I approached the birth without a shred of anxiety and felt armed with the knowledge and confidence to assert myself where necessary.
After my son was born, Angela was in touch daily to ensure I felt the strength of her continued support and she visited us regularly for the first few weeks to support me in establishing breastfeeding.
Angela was the first to recognise the tightness in my son’s mouth and, as such, we organised for a tongue tie assessment within the first week, on her recommendation. After a successful cut, she provided a comprehensive guide on how to strengthen his tongue and the best positioning for a deeper latch. Angela worked with me to assess the feeds and tweak the positioning for optimal latching - advice that armed us with the knowledge to keep improving our feeds day after day. Angela was there when I needed advice on how best to combat mastitis, to evaluate my son’s jaundice and to advise us when my eldest son unexpectedly brought home hand, foot and mouth.
In practical terms, Angela is invaluable - her extensive knowledge, the clarity with which she explains everything , the space she gives her clients to use her knowledge to make their own informed decisions, her passion for keeping updated on the latest findings and research and her generosity in terms of the time she gives to her clients, are unsurpassed.
However, what further sets Angela apart is her overwhelming kindness, her gentle and caring style, her positivity and her ability to make you feel like you’re never alone and that, every hurdle you encounter, you will battle - and overcome - together.
I struggle to think of a time in my life where I have felt so seen, so understood and so unconditionally supported. Angela built me back up again and is the reason I have approached motherhood, this time around, with confidence and calm. I have found the joy in breastfeeding - and early motherhood more generally - due to her care, guidance and unrelenting belief in me.
I am forever grateful to Angela and can only urge other women who are considering a doula to choose her - a decision that will shape the start of motherhood in the best possible way.
H. Walmsley
When my eldest daughter was expecting her first baby, we called upon Angela's services as a Doula and her knowledge as a midwife to answer questions, worries and concerns regarding her pregnancy and the forthcoming birth, which she did with her usual effortless professionalism, love and sensitivity.
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She is a breastfeeding guru, an encyclopaedia of knowledge and has a heart the size of a country.
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My daughter has since gone on to have three more babies, none of them without complications; Angela stayed with her, reassured her, keeping her informed of her choices and fought her corner when she knew that she needed to, and we as a family would never of come through it without her, she has shared the tears and the joy at every milestone.
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Whenever I think of Angela, I still picture in my mind her floating down Mary Poppins style, with her umbrella and bag. You will never want to let her go. My youngest daughter is starting to think about a family now and it is a given that Angela will play her usual role of loving on tap Doula, how lucky we are.
S. Gillespie
Angela was a wonderful support system to have in our lives during our pregnancy with our son, throughout labour and also in our fourth trimester.
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At the beginning of lockdown, when fears were at their highest and I was unable to leave hospital with my first baby until he had breast fed, I felt alone and without support on the ward. Angela Facetimed me and showed me how to hold my son and guided me on how to latch him on. That was one of many occasions that Angela's calm, positive patience got me through.
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Angela made us feel at ease and confident with everything we were doing as new parents. Our son was born shortly after the first lockdown started, so we did not have any in-person help from family or friends. Her infinite knowledge, kindness and positivity made those first few weeks unforgettable. Angela showed us how to bathe our son and swaddle correctly, things that we missed because there was no midwifery led antenatal classes. These things, along with helping us to recognise our baby's cues helped tremendously in getting our son into a bedtime rhythm and within a few weeks he was a very good sleeper.
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We feel Angela's support helped us stay calm and with that, kept our baby happy even throughout the reflux and colicky stages. Our son is now 13 months and still breastfeeding; we feel Angela has played a big part in that with her expertise, knowledge, patience and support. One thing that really stayed with us was that Angela respected our choices and our parenting decisions; she guided us, came along side us and worked with us a family. We will forever be thankful and grateful for Angela Duncan being with us through the most exciting journey of our lives. We couldn't have got through those first few months without you; you are AMAZING!
G. Wyman
Right from the start you gave my partner and I the time we needed, always making yourself available to go through things with us and put our minds at rest. My partner would visibly relax after speaking with you, reading one of your encouraging messages or talking with you on the phone. As well as making me happy seeing my partner relax, your support helped me too because we were both new to parenting. You dispelled all our feelings of fear and anxiety and made us feel like we were the best parents in the world, even when we were so tired we didn't feel like it.
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Often, during hospital visits, we didn't know what decision to make or even truly understand what we were being told, and so your calm, clear explanations helped us to understand our options and make our choices with confidence; you were an absolute Godsend. We cannot adequately put into words how thankful we were and are. We are now expecting our second child and are so thankful that we will have your support again. Thank you Angela.
J. Talbot
Thank you so much Angela for your exceptional care and support preparing us for and during the labour and delivery of our beautiful boy, Rafferty. Your love, kindness and expertise made us feel safe and our birth experience a positive and memorable one.
You were there for me throughout my pregnancy when I was anxious and upset following a previous traumatic birth, filling me with peace and confidence. You gave invaluable information, reassurance and guidance when I was frightened with the complications that arose in my pregnancy.
During my labour you were there for me when I was exhausted, kept me uplifted and energised with your warming presence, delightful humour and calming reassurance.
We will forever be grateful to you and you will always have a special place in our hearts. We love you lots!