What people are saying about Joyful Childbirth

Sam, I wanted to let you know what a huge support you where, and how much I appreciated your presence, and you gently, but persistently filling my mind with fantastic birth stories, both before and during the labour. Reminding me what was possible. And just knowing I could ask you for anything at any time was enormously reassuring. Both Peter and I were delighted you where there with us. All that had a big impact on the outcome, of which I am delighted with. I have a fantastic birth experience, which I'll hold dear to my heart for the rest of my life.
Thank you for believing in me”
Adrienne, 46 yrs old, birthed her second child Lola with no medication

Dear Sam, Colin and I would like to thank you immensely for your invaluable support during the labour & birth of our first child. Your massage techniques & labour knowledge helped to reduce the pain I felt & meant that I could go without drugs for the maximum time. This in turn led to the birth of a healthy, happy baby with an apgar score of 10!”
Elizabeth, Mother of Alexanria

I wanted you to know that I found it incredibly hard to feel positive about my pregnancy, having miscarried last February, until I came to Bella Mama. My massage at 34 weeks with Sam didn’t just relax me, it also affirmed me in a way that meant that I was able to enjoy the last 6 weeks of my pregnancy. Our daughter Maia was born at the end of January and she is thriving. Thank you for allowing me to feel positive."
Karen

I experienced extremely bad back pain and pubis symphysis dysfunction (pain in groin brought on by pregnancy) whilst pregnant and Samantha gave me several regular pregnancy massages which really helped to ease the pain I was experiencing. The massages were wonderful for my back and limbs which are often the areas to suffer when pregnant. Samantha was totally professional and knew exactly which positions were most comfortable and safe for a pregnant lady, always making me feel totally at ease with my ever expanding bump. I would recommend the ante natal massage as a great working massage for those of you who are pregnant and think it should be compulsory for all pregnant ladies to have them! Samantha was able to focus on particular areas that were troubling me during pregnancy and tailored it to suit me."
Dawn

Hi Sam
Just wanted to let you know that I have a 4 week old little boy called Chester. He is adorable!! I had the best ever birth - an unplanned home birth!! My waters broke at 1am at home then my contractions started really strongly immediately but I thought I was only in the first stage of labour so breathed through the contractions in my bed until 7am when we rang the midwife. She arrived at 7.30 am and prononounced me fully dilated and she could see the baby's head. We didn't have time to get to birthcare so he was born at 8.50am in our bed.
Your advice was AMAZING and definitely helped me so much. I am recommending you to my sister who is 10 weeks pregnant.
Thank you so much"
Francesca

Thank you Sam, its people like yourself in the world that encourage and believe in nature and instinct that make a difference too. No blues. No tears except those of gratitude. x"
Faye, Mother of Sidney 6 days old

Hi Sam, I just wanted to let you know that I slept through the whole night after my massage on Thursday!!!!!! First time in months and it was really needed. THANKYOUSOMUCH!
Wishing you well
See you soon
Mairi X”
Mairi, 27 weeks pregnant

Amazing comfortable sleeping position recommended by Sam. Why didn't I come earlier? Massage was beautiful and extremely relaxing.
Thanks x"
Rachel, 39 weeks

After the birth Sam was able to give me several post natal massages to help me relax, ease stiffness and concentrate on areas that were affected by the pregnancy such as my back and limbs. I found that my neck, shoulders and arms were now sore too thanks to hours of breastfeeding, and rocking my fractious baby to sleep. Once again Sam was able to tailor the massage to suit my personal needs and after one of Sam’s post natal massages I felt like a new woman. I would advise all women to use Samantha during pregnancy and after pregnancy as the body goes through such trauma that you are doing yourself and your unborn child a huge favour if you do. Samantha’s massages helped me through a difficult pregnancy and labour and I shall be eternally grateful to her."
Dawn

PS Sam: I wanted to let you know that we just finished our Childbirth Ed classes this week, and we're SO happy that we came to do the private massage class with you first. I didn't feel like the CBEd classes prepared us very well at all, compared with the knowledge and insight we gained from three hours with you. I still find myself using your Joyful Childbirth guide and I think we both feel much more aware and comfortable with the birthing process as a result. So thanks!"
Cathy

My husband and I would like to thank you Sam for the invaluable knowledge that you passed on to us before the birth of our first child. The massage techniques you taught us before and during labour greatly reduced the back pain I was concerned and nervous about. Your reassuring words and positive affirmations also enabled me to have a drug-free and fairly quick labour, until due to unforeseen circumstances I had to have a c-section to finally see our beautiful baby boy. You also gave my husband the confidence to cope with a scary time for both of us being new parents. Having you there throughout was very comforting and we will never forget it."
Sarah and Hayden (parents of Joshua)

Cathy and I had decided to invite our friend Sam to our homebirth, and I believe that this was a pivotal decision to our birth experience. Sam is a Doula and masseuse, and we’d invited her to our birth in a non-work role to observe our birth. Having such a calm and positive soul in the room reminded Cathy and I that every contraction, every pain, is a step towards a wonderful natural birth . As a first time birth partner I had a lot to sort out, to keep track of how much water Cathy had drunk, how much she’d eaten, to be present at every contraction, to time the contractions, to fill the birth pool… the list goes on. It was a job for more than one person, and I didn’t realize this until I was in the thick of it. I’m eternally grateful Sam was there to be the beacon of calm both Cathy and I needed!"
Brent, Father of Finlay