Testimonials 

 

Sheena & Shane Lynch (Boyzone) 

"We chose GentleBirth because I liked the website and the name "GentleBirth", and when I spoke to you on the phone you seemed lovely.  Thank you for the time you spent with us, we really enjoyed it and learned so much."

 

Fiona & William,  Lenham

"My (highly sceptical!) partner and I attended a GentleBirth weekend course and I cannot recommend it highly enough to all prospective parents.  The GentleBirth course should be compulsory, it is of huge benefit.  The course was very comprehensive but delivered in a fun and nuturing environment and included Dad's role in the birth and after care, which meant they remained involved throughout the weekend.  Rather than buy an expensive cot or buggy treat yourself to this course instead - it will be money well spent!"  (Parents to Mathew, now 4 months)

 

Charmaine & Ray, Canterbury

"We just wanted to write to say a very big thank you for your time and the informative day course we attended in December.  The course really did help us prepare for the birth of our baby and gave us a sense of what to expect during labour.  We felt that we could ask any question, no matter how trivial or silly it sounded. During my labour Ray made sure the mood of the room was mellow with some relaxing tranquil music.  All of this and your information helped towards an entirely natural labour with no intervention.  Thomas was born on 28th December 2007 at Canterbury Birth Centre weighing 7lb 2oz and was alert and feeding as soon as he was born."

 

Kelly & Mark,  Canterbury

"Just wanted to thank you for last weekend.  We both found the days enormously helpful and made us feel much better about the whole experience."

 

Jo & Rami,  Netherlands

"Gill Is an excellent presenter and this meant the course was really lively and interesting.  Our daughter's birth was everything I had hoped for.  The midwife respected everything in my birth plan......I felt really empowered and respected.  My partner was a great birth partner, I think him knowing what to do was due in great part to coming on your course and the same goes for me.  Thanks again for preparing us so well for this big adventure."

 

Sarah & Paul,  Whitstable

"I'm looking forward to experiencing birth and caring for our baby - I feel much more confident."

Dad quote: "It was fun, informative and extremely reassuring.  Wouldn't have missed it for anything!"

 

Ellie & Mark,  Ash

Dad quote: "I would recommend the course to every dad, I was very apprehensive about attending but found it amazing!  The depth and range of knowledge has left me excited and confident about the labour, birth and caring for our baby.  Thank You!"

"We feel significantly more informed and prepared for labour. We are now really relaxed and looking forward to it"

 

Jane & Paul,  Ipswich

"Just thought I'd let you know the outcome of my pregnancy and delivery following the GentleBirth course we attended in July.

Our little boy Jack arrived on Tuesday 30th September at 11.30pm (10.5 hour labour). He weighed 7lb 2oz. He was born totally naturally at home using a birthing pool and aromatherapy oils as pain relief. I was totally relaxed in my own environment and recognised all the stages of labour, which the GentleBirth course explained in such detail. The course made it possible for me to make an informed choice about what was going to be best for my baby and I, all of which has proved to be right. Jack is a happy, healthy baby, who only cries when he's hungry. He also immediately took to breastfeeding following the birth. None of the above would have been possible had I not attended the course, Thank you so much for providing such an amazing service, I will be recommending GentleBirth to all my friends."

 

Hilary & Derwyn, Tunbridge Wells

"The most important part of the class was the relationship between the physical/ emotional/hormonal factors and a focus on the birth partners role. An excellent course which has very positively influenced our attitudes to labour and birth and has given us much greater confidence going forward"

 

Irma-Jane & Callum, Canterbury

"The course has given me so much more confidence.  I'm starting to feel less anxious and scared and more excited about the birth. Fantastic structure to the day.  The course inoroporated all the different learing styles, therefore everyone could learn about birh without feeling intimidated.  A good level of fun without losing the important information.  I have already been recommending GentleBirth"

 

Nina & Michael, London

"I was of the opinion that this course would be of little use to me.  I'd booked it with the sole intention of getting my partner more informed and involved but I can truly say that this course has given me an entirely new perspective that I would never otherwise have gained.  Even Michael who was a sceptic said he loved this course, Thank you Gill!"

 

Philipa & Bryn, London

"An invaluable course - should be compulsory"

 

Bianca & Tyrone, London

"A brilliant day, thank you, we feel so informed, educated and reassured"

 

Carolyn & Oz, Essex

"It's very helpful to have information given to you face to face by a professional rather than having to read it in a book - it makes more sense to you"

 

Myri & Christiana, London

"We would like to thank you so much for your fantastic weekend course.  We had such a great and informative time and we have not stopped talking about it."

 

Nicola & Andy, West Malling

"I was extremely afraid of childbirth and my other half was very squeamish before we found your class.  On the big day I only used gas & air for half an hour.  The birth was such a positive experience for us all and we are certain that it would not have been the same without the information and confidence your course gave us.  Thanks from all of us, without your classes I would not have been as calm and confident.  Our baby girl's arrival was amazing and I'm so glad it went smoothly - a wonderful start to our new life."

 

Laura & David, Whitstable

"We learned a great deal, picked up a lot of information that we hadn't thought of and it was all put together in an interesting format"

 

Louise & Gary, London

"We now have a much greater understanding, thank you very much.  We really enjoyed the day and wish you were my midwife"

 

Claire & Mark,  West Malling

"We both wished to say a huge thank you for the excellent antenatal/postnatal course we attended just before Christmas.  The knowledge we learnt on the course was invaluable and we feel certain that it will make a huge positive difference to the birth experience we have.  Learning about the interaction between the key hormones, the birth environment and its impact on the physical and emotional state of the mother and baby was of particular interest to us.

The course has given Mark confidence in his role as birth partner, something that before the course was a bit of a mystery to him.  I am feeling nicely relaxed about the birth and we are looking forward to it now, rather than being filled with dread and anxiety about what might happen.  We both feel informed about our choices and how to exercise them at the appropriate time.  It was great to have an opportunity to raise our questions and concerns and receive practical and supportive advice in return.

We thoroughly enjoyed the weekend and would recommend a GentleBirth course to all new mums and dads to be."

"Following the birth of our daughter Emily we wondered it you'd like to update our testimonial.  The classes were a huge help in making me and my husband feel very relaxed in the last few weeks but really came in to their own in labour.  Having been sent home from hospital at 1cm dilated I was in considerable pain and had to draw on what we learnt in the classes to get through the next few hours.  I knew from the classes that I had to stay calm and relaxed to allow the hormones to do their work.  I remembered what you had said about there being no specific breathing techniques to use and that instinct would guide me through so  I listened to relaxing music and with quiet deep breathing I entered what I can only describe as some sort of hypnotic state.

At the time I was not aware of the transitional stage but looking back it must have been when I woke him up demanding tea and biscuits!  Shortly after I experienced the urge to push and we hurried off to the hospital where Emily was born just 20 minutes later with no time to even think about pain relief.

The birth was the most mind blowing and emotionally powerful experience I have ever had and amazing to experience this without the influence of medication."

 

Jeanette & Shaun, London

"Shaun and I really enjoyed the opportunity to spend a weekend together focusing on the upcoming birth of our child. The attention and focus we were able to place on ourselves and our child that weekend was an opportunity and blessing that we will value for years to come. We appreciate your efforts throughout that weekend....and continued efforts with sending more information to us. Thank you again for the course."

 

Jo & Mark, Welling

"We would both like to thank you for a very informative and enjoyable day. We both found the course very beneficial in preparing for the birth of our child. From Mark's point of view he found that he is so much more informed about what to look out for now and how to help me when the time comes. Once again thank you for your time and we will be recommending GentleBirth to people in the future."

 

Anita & Nick, Canterbury

"We would both like to thank you for the excellent course you held on Saturday.  The location and your calm, knowledgeable approach made it a very relaxing and informative day. We both feel totally prepared for labour and birth having heard all options available for every scenario.  The coursework given to us is extremely valuable reminding us of everything we learnt throughout the day.

Gill's gentle, friendly, calm attitude and valuable midwifery experiences fills you with confidence.  The day was set up with a comfortable, fun and interesting approach. We would highly recommend this course to other expectant parents."

 

Angela & Paul, London

"Thanks again for a great weekend.  Paul and I found the content great and your delivery of information excellent"

"Just thought I would share some good news.  We had a little boy at the Darenth Valley Midwifery Led Unit.  The midwives were brilliant and the birth was everything I hoped it would be and more!!  By the time we arrived at the unit I was fully dilated, I ended up having a water birth, the whole thing happened so quickly.

Oscar has now been home for days - your antenatal weekend definitely helped - I was better prepared to cope with day 3 (which came on thick and fast but only lasted 48hrs).

Anyway, I just wanted to also say thanks for referring us to Darenth Valley, I am sure we would have had a completely different experience if we hadn't gone there! "

 

Anna & Peter, Surrey

"Finally I have a few minutes to tell you about the arrival of Laura Rose. All went well exactly as I wanted, I managed to survive on gas & air and I got to have her in the birthing pool which was fantastic. I just wanted to thank you again for your fantastic course as I don't think it would have gone the way it did without all the knowledge we gained."

 

Kim & Daniel, London

"Kim gave birth to a beautiful baby boy Oliver (about 9hrs after phoning you for advice) in the Birth Centre Queen Charlotte's - I even participated!  Completely natural birth ( not even gas & air) and I think a major contributory factor has been your guidance."

 

Tina & Dallas, Kent

Just to let you know that I had a beautiful baby boy Montana weighing 6lb 11oz.  All was great and I had a wonderful and empowering labour.  Lots of flapjack, water, relaxation techniques and a birth ball.  It all could have gone completely differently if it wasn't for you and the knowledge you passed on to us, my birth plan and the overwhelming support of my wonderful Mother. 

Kind Regards and hearfelt thanks."

 

Kate & Dan, London

"Thank you for the excellent course you ran for us in Canterbury. Both Dan & I emerged feeling so much more knowledgeable and relaxed about the remainder of our pregnancy, the birth and beyond. Thank you for your kindness, sensitivity, patience and encouragement throughout the weekend."

 

Selina & Simon, Chelsea

"We just wanted to thank you for our private course last weekend, we've been on a high since then. We found the day to be very enlightening and also good fun. We are now busy planning a home birth, had it not been for you we would not have had the confidence to do this."

 

Jennifer & Alan, Goring on Thames

"Thank you for a weekend filled with invaluable antenatal information. Both Alan and I learned so much and feel much better prepared for the birth of our baby, as well as the days back at home with it. One of my main reasons for doing the course with Alan was that I wanted him to feel more involved in the whole thing. My aim was achieved and he said for the first time, he now not only feels more involved but the fact that we have a baby on the way has finally hit home and so he is really beginning to feel even more excited. Together, absorbing all the new knowledge over the weekend was also a great bonding experience in preparation for the birth."

 

Catherine & Ed, Harrow

"Just wanted to let you know that on 3rd July our beautiful baby girl Hazel arrived.......So many of my girlfriends had epidurals because they weren't really mentally prepared beforehand. I felt that I was better prepared than most to deal with it and that's all thanks to you. Hope you're proud of me for staying off those drugs!!"

 

Sam & David, Sittingbourne

"I feel more empowered now to influence my birth options"

 

Catherine & Ed, Harrow

"Gill is an amazing calm teacher giving you all the options open to you without bias. She has an answer for all our questions no matter how random or naive. I would recommend a GentleBirth class - even to girlfriends who have already attended 2hr a week classes"

 

Samantha & Simon, Croydon

"We really enjoyed the weekend, the Cathedral is a wonderful setting. The course was extremely informative and we have come away feeling a lot more empowered about birth, labour and looking after our baby. We just wish we could have Gill as our midwife. Thank you Gill!!"

 

Kate & Des, London

"Staying within the Cathedral grounds is an extra draw, it is beautiful and peaceful. Gaining an understanding and knowledge for preparation for birth is particularly appreciated. We now feel so much more comfortable and prepared. Thank You, fabulous, we are so glad we came."

 

Sandrine & Russell, London

"The course has reassured me and I now am considering a home birth. The venue is lovely and relaxing, I would definitely recommend a GentleBirth class."

 

Chloe & Rob, Sevenoaks

"It was excellent to have a class in our own home at a time suitable for us and tailored to our needs given that this is my second pregnancy. Our specific questions were answered and we now feel more positive and empowered"

 

Joy & Adrian Cardy-Brown, Whitstable  

"It was lovely to meet like minded people and to learn so much so quickly and feel reassured. Gentlebirth changed our idea of what birth could and should be."

 

Dr Caroline Baker,  Canterbury  

"As a GP you would think I was better prepared than others about having a baby.  Gill normalised birth for us, she was able to reassure us that our birth could be normal.  As a midwife she has all the necessary medical knowledge.  GentleBirth is a really good service I would recommend to anyone.

 

Orla and Rob,  Whitstable

"We wanted to thank you for the lovely day on Saturday. The atmosphere created was calm, professional, informative and fun.

We left feeling a lot calmer, more relaxed and confident about impending birth, so much so that we now want to go straight to the Birth Centre. Thank you once again. "

 

Annabel and Michael Wilshaw,  Canterbury

"GentleBirth fitted in around us so we had classes at home at a time that suited us.  Gill and Sharmani are friendly and knowledgeable and because they are midwives you know they have lots of hands on experience to draw on.  There is no one better to teach antenatal education than a practising midwife.

As well as learning about labour, birth, breastfeeding and baby care, one of the things we talked about was what would happen if things didn't go to plan.  My blood pressure went up the week before Cameron was due, I was induced and ending up having an emergency caesarean.

Even though the birth didn't go to plan I had been so well informed that I felt confident and in control throughout.  It also minimised any negative feelings I had about not having the natural birth I had hoped for. "

 

Trudy & Steve Goldsack, Canterbury

"Dear Gill,

I finally arrived after much anticipation and excitement "under water" at 1am on Monday 11th August.  By the time I arrived after a long labour using only gas and air and water, mummy was exhausted.

Thank you so much for giving Mummy the confidence to believe in herself and find the strength to push me out.  Without your classes and kind words I don't think she would have been able to do it!

Lots of love,

Esther xxx (aged 3 weeks & 1 day)

Anna & Peter,   Farnham, Surrey

"Thank you so much for the brilliant course last weekend. We feel so much more prepared for labour and birth and everything that comes afterwards that I feel I am much more likely to achieve my aim of natural childbirth, and if not I feel completely informed and comfortable with the other options that will be available to me.  You presented everything with a balanced view and answered all our seemingly endless questions.  We really wish you could be our midwife!! "

 

Laura & Paul,  Canterbury

We wanted to let you know our baby girl Grace was born on 25th August 2007 in the pool at Canterbury Birth Centre.

We would like to thank you for your superb one to one classes and the booklets you provided us with.  We felt in control at every stage of the labour and birth which enabled us to relax and understand what was happening.  We also used your advice about what to pack in our bag for labour, how to write a good birth plan/wish list and methods to get the environment right.

We will be recommending your classes to pregnant friends as we feel that if you want to achieve an active birth, your classes are the best way to try!  Thanks again.

 

Jenny & Marc,    Greenhythe  Kent

"Both Marc & I  just wanted to say thank you for such a lovely weekend.  The knowledge we are now equipped with is invaluable.  Both of us now feel very informed and reassured about birth.  We now know what to expect, but also understand that not all eventualities can be planned for.  However by simply knowing what choices we have, we feel prepared to deal with any situation we may face.  We really can't thank you enough."

 

Stacey & Dan, Croydon

We just wanted to drop you a line to let you know that we gave birth to baby Maia Morris on 1st September 2007, this was entirely natural and our birth preferences were followed carefully by the midwives.  Maia weighed 7lb 4oz and was born into a relaxed calm surrounding.  Your help really did make a difference and I even heard your voice telling me to stay upright when I really wanted to go to sleep and forget all about it!  Dan told me how prepared he was and I know without you it would not have happened like that.  I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for all your help, the information you gave us on our one to one day really helped Dan and I make the most of our birth and we could not have wished for the birth to be easier and more organised.

Once again thanks and best wishes for the future, I will certainly continue to recommend your classes.

Nicky & Andy,   Maidstone

"Thank you so much for a lovely weekend.  It was lovely to concentrate on the baby rather than the decorating!!  It was really good to take the time out.  We still haven't stopped talking about it!"