Heather Neville - Certified Labour Doula & Childbirth Educator

Hiring Heather was one of the best decisions I made during my pregnancy. I had thought about a Doula early in my pregnancy, but hesitated because I didn’t know much about what she did and I didn’t know where to find one. About two weeks before I was due, a friend suggested I consider a Doula and gave me Heather’s number. After a brief conversation on the phone with Heather, I knew I had made the right decision. She made me think about things I hadn’t previously thought of and encouraged me to ask questions at my next doctor’s appointment.

I was very impressed with her prenatal knowledge as well as her experience with delivery. She always made me feel like I was in control over what would happen to me during delivery, but I was confident that she’d be the advocate I needed in the delivery room. Her calm demeanour and soft voice carried me through every contraction and provided the encouragement I needed to have a natural, drug-free birth. Even though I had only met her twice before the birth (baby decided to come early) I felt like I’d known her for years. Her presence at the birth offered a great deal of relief to my husband, allowing him to take care of logistics, all the while knowing that I was in good hands.

One of the things I appreciate most about Heather is that she goes out of her way to find resources to support us, whether it be how to deal with baby’s first infection or community groups for mom and baby. She is a wealth of information! Thank you for everything, Heather.

Posted 4/2/2013

I was initially hesitant to hire Heather due to her age and perceived lack of experience. However, after our first meeting with her and our subsequent experiences we couldn't be happier with her expansive knowledge on not only birth coaching but everything you could ever want to know about pregnancy, labour, birth and post partum (we not only had her as our doula, but also as our prenatal class teacher). The enthusiasm she has for what she does is apparent in her thirst for knowledge and connection to the community. 

This being my first child I didn't know what to expect from a birth coach. How could a relative stranger help me when my very own husband was unable to calm me down? As it turned out, Heather's presence was invaluable; her cool head, confidence and pure enjoyment of the process put me in the best possible head space to have an unforgettable positive birth experience. Where I was tense and uncertain, Heather was calm. Where my husband was frazzled and scared, Heather was reassuring. She lead our fragile selves delicately and confidently through the most important and crazy moment of our lives, and for that I'm forever thankful!

Posted 11/29/2012

Heather made sure my husband and I had all the information we needed to make confident decissions on how we wanted labour to proceed. I was so happy to have Heather throughout the labour and delivery. She were such a big help with pain management through her accupressure and massage tecniques. I felt confident that I could turn to her for advice anytime I needed.Her advice and reassurance were so helpful during early labour when I didn't yet require her pressence. I know my husband felt better having Heather present as it gave him a chance to have a short break or take care of other tasks. Heather was also great support after the birth of our baby boy and answered any questions we had. I would definitely say that doulas are essential for birth (especially anyone aiming to have a natural birth). We were thrilled to share such an important moment in our lives with Heather. She was supportive, encouraging and very informative. 

Posted 9/24/2012

We couldn’t have done it without Heather! The birth of my second child didn’t go as planned. Does it ever? It didn’t go the way I had thought it would for nine months, yet I was still so happy with it. I attribute much of this happiness to Heather’s support. I went into pregnancy and labour well informed about my choices. I had read all the books, taken the classes and had personal experience. Despite all of this Heather was still able to teach me so much. She is a wealth of information, valuable resources, and an incredibly calming presence. During my labour, at the end of every painful contraction I smiled. I was made to feel secure amongst what can seem like a bit of madness. I came out of a long labour feeling strong and proud of what I had accomplished. If you are considering hiring a doula you will without a doubt be more than happy with Heather. She truly cares about supporting women and families. She so clearly has a passion for what she does.

Posted 8/16/2012

Heather Neville made a great impact on my labour experience. Without her I wouldn’t of done as well as I did! She taught me so much about what to expect before and after giving birth. Heather helps you through every trouble you may have, and answers any questions no matter what they may be. Thanks to Heather I understood more than I ever could have on my own. She is so special to me and my family because she had very kindly volunteered to help me out! It is obvious that she enjoys her job as a doula. She shows interest in your problems, questions, and in letting you know everything she knows about before and after your birth experience. I’m very thankful for everything she’s done to guide me through it all. She never fails to amaze you with her knowledge and dedication not only as a professional but as a caring individual. As soon as I had informed Heather I was feeling contractions 6 minutes apart, she had arrived to assist in her call of duty! She taught me breathing techniques, labour positions and so much more! She made my birth experience a thousand times more special and easy than it probably would have been if she wasn’t there to support me. A birth without any medication was all I had asked for Heather to make sure of, and thanks to all her techniques and support, I made it through an all-natural birth! Thank you Heather for all your hard work and commitment, Brandon (boyfriend), my family, and I really appreciate your kind heart and passion. We really encourage you (Heather) to keep doing what you’re doing in helping expecting mothers in their journey to meeting their bundle of joy(s). We also encourage any mother in search of a doula to choose Heather for that position, she’s such an amazing person, you WON’T regret it! I hope to keep in touch with you Heather! Once again, a million thank yous!

Posted 5/3/2012

My experience with Heather as my doula was soo amazing and I am so grateful to have found her and that she was able to be with me during the brith of my son Derrick ( Born 22/01/2012). Heather provided me with all physical, emotional and moral support i needed during my last stages of pregnancy and labour, more so that i was going through a VERY rough time before i met her. She supported me 100% with all of the decisions i made. Her support was made available by the Public Health Dietitian, and it was a priceless support but she was there with me EVERY STEP OF THE WAY and helping me WHOLE HEARTEDLY..She was always available to answer any questions or concerns I had and she would answer those questions right away ,which kept me from being stressed out during my pregnancy and labour. She was Always POSITIVE!  She was there with me THROUGH OUT my labour. Going through the pains was not easy AT ALL, But with her by my side was such a BLESSING! She really helped my labour pass easier by giving me ideas about which positions to get into and by helping me focus on breathing and staying calm. She knew exactly how to manage each pain i had. When I thought I couldn't take it anymore, she helped me believe I was strong and I could get through it and that my body was designed for that! Indeed my labour was much different and amazing than I had imagine. Heather is such an amazing, accessible, warm hearted, loving, great listener and compassionate doula and i couldnt imagine going through all of this without her there by my side.Even after i had the baby she has kept in contact with me TILL NOW incase i have any questions. I feel like i didn't just have a Doula, Its like i have a new friend too who has helped me so much with everything. I have never felt alone with her by my side. Indeed she was a God sent...

IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A DOULA....PLEASE DO NOT THINK TWICE. SHE IS THE BEST, I MEAN WHAT I SAY*

THANK YOU SO MUCH HEATHER AND GOD BLESS!

Posted 2/21/2012

My husband and I were both very happy to have Heather as our doula. She was full of suggestions and respectful of our decisions regarding the birth. During labour she intuitively understood how much or little attention I needed. The whole experience couldn't have been any better. If we decide to have another I'll definitely be giving Heather a call!

Posted 1/12/2012

Heather is an exceptional doula because she loves what she does . Her passion and clinical knowledge on the subject of childbirth, came through again and again. She encouraged conversation and really listened to my questions so that the answers and information I received was precisely what I was looking for. She approached me with warmth and respect and dealt with me as a unique person understanding that my own fears, experiences, and tendencies were factors I would bring with me into labour. It was easy to allow Heather into my space during labour. While her main focus was me, she also took into consideration the dynamic between everyone present and was therefore able to pick up on my cues, and offer me quality support. She put my husband at ease and therefore he was able to remain calm and easy with me. Her energy throughout my labour made me believe on a deep level that everything was O.K. Her eyes and body language said: “I know you are going through the most intense experience of your life. I’m here with you. Just know that everything is happening as it should be.” I couldn’t have asked for anything more.

Posted 12/2/2011