Ashlee’s Story

We were a real little team. My husband and I felt completely comfortable with Kate. She really helped us prepare and achieve everything we could have asked for. While our birth was not exactly as we had hoped (are they ever) due to Kate we left the hospital with no regrets and loved the experience of getting to meet our little girl.

I feel like Kate tailored the course and our meetings to suit our experience. She didn’t dwell on things that we already knew. We will forever feel a special bond with Kate. My husband was a little sceptical at first whether we needed a doula now he tells everyone about Kate and recommends her.

Ashlee Soanes

Kate’s Role: Birth Doula

It wasn’t until I fell pregnant with my second baby that I realised how much trauma I had suppressed from my first birth experience. This time I wanted a completely different experience, and I knew to achieve that I needed additional continuity of support.

Enter Kate, who I engaged as my birth doula.

Kate was able to educate and empower me throughout my pregnancy. She understood the health system I was engaging in and helped me navigate it in a way that supported the outcome I wanted. She provided texts and resources that helped me understand what choices I needed to make to achieve a birth without intervention. She also helped my husband understand the role he could play in supporting me through this journey. Kate came to our house to support us with comfort measures to labour at home for as long as possible.

I used Kate’s Tens machine throughout the entire labour, which was very effective for pain relief. Kate came to the hospital with us, supporting every step of the way. She worked as a team with my husband, with just the right amount of coaching and encouragement to keep me going. She also helped us to navigate any suggestions for intervention by hospital staff in line with my birth preferences.

The result was a completely healing birth experience for me. My baby was born naturally, on my terms. Kate helped me see what choice and control I had in the situation. I felt strong, supported and empowered through the whole birth experience. With Kate on my team, there was never a moment that I questioned whether I could do it. Her support was the reason I could birth my baby with strength and confidence, and to find closure on my previous experience.

Every Mumma needs a Kate on their birth support team.

Caitlin Powell

Kate’s Role: TENS Hire & Birth Doula

As Beau and I have reflected on the pregnancy and birth, we quickly realised that our experience was shaped by having Kate as part of our team. We felt supported and informed from the start of the pregnancy, all the way through to the moment Ace was born, and beyond.

We will be forever grateful for the guidance she provided through her own experiences and education!

Lucy Millar

Kate’s Role: Birth Doula

After the birth of my son I struggled adjusting to my new role as a mother. I felt very isolated and alone. I lacked clear guidance and reassurance that I was doing a good enough job. When I fell pregnant with my daughter just 11 months later I knew I wanted a different experience. I wanted to feel supported. I wanted someone on my team who I could trust.

From the first time we met Kate over zoom it was clear she knew her stuff. I liked the fact she is a midwife and had the clinical knowledge as well as incredible interpersonal skills. She immediately made us feel comfortable and I couldn’t wait to meet her in person.

Kate’s role as a doula for me was predominantly as emotional support and advice. We faced many challenges in the first 12 months of Lily’s life but Kate was always my voice of reason. She had the ability to make me feel empowered and confident. Whenever I felt like giving up I had Kate there to pick me up and dust me off. I became so close to Kate she would know what I needed before I even did.

She sent me a beautiful email when I was 40 weeks pregnant (with a 10lb 7oz baby) and in so much pain waiting to go into labour; she called the pathology lab ahead of time to make sure they had a nurse there confident in taking my 8 week old babies blood; she would check in with me when she knew I was having a tough time; she visited us at the hospital when we were admitted for a B12 deficiency.

Kate became the person I would message first, whether it was to celebrate a win or as a shoulder to cry on. She made me feel like I was good enough and everything that my children needed. She taught me how to be kind to myself and celebrate the mother I have become. Getting to know Kate over the past 18 months has been such a blessing. If you have the opportunity to take advantage of any of Kate's services don’t hesitate because it will be the best decision you ever make!

Jess Laws

Kate’s Role: Postnatal Support

The best part of having a doula was being assured that there would be continuity of care throughout my pregnancy, birth and postpartum experience. I chose to be supported by a doula for my second pregnancy, mainly due to the overwhelming experience of being at the mercy of 'the system' during my first pregnancy and birth.

The relationship my husband and I built with Kate throughout the pregnancy helped to make me feel emotionally and psychologically supported and safe - which I think had a huge impact on the birth itself. Kate's presence at the birth was incredible, she was an amazing advocate (getting lots of resources to help me move positions) and helping my partner to support me. What my husband and I loved about working with Kate was that there was a real sense that we were in a team.

Kate's confidence in helping us to prepare for the birth, particularly the conversations we had with her about navigating the system and advocating for the options was hugely empowering. Kate is warm, knowledgeable and is a keen listener. Having someone listen to our (first birth) story, our history and our hopes really helped me to prepare for the birth. Even though I wasn't sure what my second birth would look like, Kate held an unwavering confidence that I would be able to birth with minimal intervention, something that I was not sure of in myself. However, with Kate's confidence and belief in my ability to birth, this is exactly what transpired!

I will forever be grateful to Kate for being on our team and helping to facilitate a beautiful and empowering birth, which was also very restorative. With Kate's help, guidance and patience I was able to have a positive birth experience, feel empowered and am thoroughly enjoying the slowness of my postpartum life as we navigate our little family growing from three to four.

Thank you Kate x

Jess Brown

Kate’s Role: Birth Doula

My husband and I accessed Kate’s birth doula package as we knew about the benefits of having continuity of care and felt this was integral to our journey as first time parents navigating the hospital system.

Kate’s experienced support throughout the pregnancy, in the form of prenatal education, regular check ins before and after key appointments and suggestions for further reading made us feel supported, listened to and most importantly, well informed to make decisions that were both evidenced based and in line with our own values.

Kate’s guidance on using a Mama Blessing was incredibly powerful to mark this special time when a traditional celebration wasn’t possible. Receiving words of encouragement and wisdom from friends and family really gave me confidence as a mama to be, and I have returned to these letters in the postnatal period often.

Our intention for the birth of our baby boy was for a natural physiological birth without interventions, and we are so thrilled to have achieved this and to have had such a positive birth experience. Kate was there when we needed her during labour and birth at home and in the hospital.

Importantly, she also gave my husband and I the space and confidence to work together, using the techniques we had practiced, and tuning in to what my body needed at that moment. Seeing my husband, Kate and the midwives encouraging and warm faces just before our son was born was one of the most amazing moments of my life - I felt brave, capable and safe, exactly what is needed during such a challenging time.

We are so grateful for Kate’s kind and direct guidance and would recommend her services without hesitation.

Greta

Kate’s Role: Birth Doula

Jade’s Story

Kate's breastfeeding class was really informative and practical. I really felt like I learned a lot attending the class. Even my husband who was skeptical for his need to be there walked away loving it and feeling prepared to support me.

During the Postnatal preparation class Kate was open and non-judgemental in her approach and was able to provide information that was relevant to our concerns. The class really allowed me to feel empowered to take the time to take care of myself emotionally and physically as a mother during the crucial postnatal period.

Jade Pierce

Kate’s Role: Lamaze Breastfeeding and Postnatal Preparation Classes

When I fell pregnant with our second daughter, my husband and I knew we wanted a doula to support us through the pregnancy and birth journey this time, due mainly to a previous difficult first birth and also my husband’s back injury which made it challenging for him to support me physically during labour.

Kate was an answer to prayer for our family. In the later months of my pregnancy, my husband experienced a severe and debilitating back injury flare up and Kate became my main support person, both emotionally and during my labour. Kate has so much experience and was able to give me a lot of information on almost any aspect of pregnancy and birth.

Kate provided support, guidance and information to me in navigating my birth choices, which ultimately led to a successful and positive planned home birth. During my labour, I was so very grateful for Kate’s presence. She was calm, experienced, proactive and helped me through the entire process up to giving birth to our beautiful baby girl. Kate is everything you look for in a doula and anyone who chooses to go with her will benefit from her calm manner, experience and caring nature.

We will miss having Kate in our lives but are very grateful to have crossed paths with her for this season of our lives.

Cat Melbourne

Kate’s Role: Birth Doula

Where do I start? Kate was there for us at every turn, and with having some scary moments pop us for us - her supportive and calm nature helped us navigate these circumstances by empowering us with information to ensure we made educated decisions.

I instantly connected with Kate and felt reassured by her knowledge in birth and beyond that she was the person I wanted next to me throughout my pregnancy, birth and beyond. I loved how she engaged with my partner Nic, who had absolutely no idea what to expect but was so taken back when Kate asked 'Now, tell me what you want from birth?' He felt like this experience was his to grasp as well which was really special.

I felt like I had known Kate for a lot longer than we had, unfortunately we didn't get to complete our classes with her due to an early arrival but I don't feel I missed out on her service because she was there for me in so many more ways than just education. I feel the tears welling in my eyes writing this, reflecting on what we went through and how unbelievably thankful I am to have had her through this experience. It definitely would have been incredibly hard without her.

She reasoned with me and cleared a pathway for my thoughts when I truly couldn't see the other side to the experience. I felt safe to reach out to her and talk about any topic and I felt so confident she would give me all the information I needed to make an informed decision for myself. I never felt pressured to go about things in a particular way - she always let me decide and supported me no matter what my direction was forward.

Kate, you are truly made for this role in someone's life. they will forever thank you for making this experience one of the most special times in their life.

Georgia Duff

Kate’s Role: Lamaze Parenting Classes & Birth Doula

I am extremely grateful for Kate's guidance and support in navigating a number of challenges I experienced with breastfeeding my baby that was slow to gain weight.   

In the world of early motherhood where many people can be very judgmental and opinionated, Kate was a breath of fresh air. She allowed me to feel comfortable and supported whilst making my own decisions in how I wanted to care for my baby. Kate was able to teach and explain different techniques in a way that no other professional had offered or provided me. 

I live interstate and was extremely impressed with the level of care and support that Kate offered despite being located in different states. She taught me skills and corrected my technique via FaceTime without any need for me to leave home!

The support that Kate provided me over a few challenging and exhausting months was priceless. She is simply brilliant and I cannot thank her enough.

Aisling Clifford

Kate’s Role: Postnatal Doula 

I first saw Kate in the final weeks of my third pregnancy. Looking back - I wish I had seen her for all of my pregnancies!  I was attempting a VBA2C and was doing everything I could to try to prepare myself for a vaginal birth. From the moment our consultation began, I felt completely at ease in her presence and absolutely certain that I was in capable hands. 

As our session continued, my faith in Kate continued to grow. Her years of working in the field of midwifery have afforded her a wealth of knowledge and experience, which she generously shared with our group. When speaking about pregnancy and birth, Kate exuded a passion and enthusiasm that made my journey ahead truly seem all the more exciting.

I learned more from this short session than I had during all three pregnancies. Kate explained things many others neglect to - the importance of understanding our hormones, the emotional and mental battles of labour, alternative pain relief etc. I believe through all of this though, Kate’s greatest success was helping me to relax and appreciate that even if my birth didn’t go as planned - everything would still be alright.

Along with many other suggested tips and techniques, Kate introduced me to the Rebozo. I had previous health professionals suggest the use of this before, but none had the knowledge or familiarity that Kate showed. She was very thorough in demonstrating each position, and importantly, was very clear to point out positions that should be avoided in certain situations.

After learning from Kate, my husband and I would make time each night to try out the techniques. This became a beautiful ritual at the end of a long busy day with two little boys - I will always treasure those tranquil moments - and feel that doing this each night helped me to get through those final weeks in a calm headspace.  

We used the Rebozo at various times throughout my labour - initially for relaxation before eventually switching over to pain management - in fact at one point I remember tugging on it as a lifeline to get me through some particularly tough contractions!! The sensations of the Rebozo helped to keep my mind off the pain and I believe it benefited my husband as it gave him something useful to do!  

I am thrilled to say that I was able to achieve my natural birth and truly believe that, along with a fabulous support team, the tips and techniques that Kate showed me were instrumental in assisting the safe delivery of my third son.

Thank you Kate. Not only for the tips and techniques, the strategies and suggestions, but for the genuine interest and care you showed in my journey. I will be recommending you to ALL of my friends

Brigitta Gleeson

Kate's Role: Lamaze Labour & Birth + Comfort Measures and Pain Relief in Labour Classes

Jade and I reached out to Kate for our second pregnancy. We felt like we needed the extra support due to losing our first baby at 24 weeks.

From the moment we met Kate, we felt extremely comfortable and confident in her knowledge and experience. She helped me discover ways that I could support Jade. We were so fortunate to have Kate with us at the hospital during Jade's labour. She was able to slow everything down for us and help us understand everything that happened.

As a male and new father, I would highly recommend Kate's services to other couples and to other Dads that are perhaps unsure.

Will Bennett

Kate’s Role: Birth Doula

I have known Kate going on 5 years now; since the birth of my daughter. Since then I have had also had a son and Kate has always been there with a listening ear, and when needed (quite a bit!) sound, practical and really helpful advice.

She is my number 1 speed dial when the kids crack their head open, need advice on how to put eyes drops in a 2 year old, when my sleep deprived self needs someone to whinge to about getting no sleep; or the late night ‘I have no kids pain relief left- please help’ phone call!!.

Kate is always willing to help out- and her kind and generous nature is a wonderful trait. Her dedication to her passion is inspiring- and I wish her well in this new chapter.

Kate Skehan

Kate's Role: Postnatal Doula

Georgia’s Story

My Mama Blessing didn't quite go to plan. Sage decided to come 8 weeks early which meant my Mama Blessing didn't quite meet the timeline BUT that didn't mean I missed out... Far from it thanks to Kate working with my beautiful Sister and Best Friend to make sure I knew I was supported like no other.

One week after I had given birth, a parcel arrived in the mail. A parcel packed with love and one special Mama Blessing. Kate helped the girls mould the Mama Blessing which was planned into a Virtual Mama Blessing - and it didn't miss any of the emotional and supportive punches. It was that and MORE! I opened a box which had a Birthing Bead necklace with beads handmade by my good friend, all selected by my tribe along with an encouraging and supportive message with each bead from each person. It honestly blew me away... but wait it gets even better! I open up the next box and it has two red threads, with rose gold handmade beads with an 'S' embossed in it - one for me and one for Nic, my partner.

Once I called my Sister to thank her and cry a little at how incredibly overwhelming (in a good way) this all was - I suddenly heard my phone receiving multiple messages. all my tribe had been notified that I had received my Mama Blessing and everyone had a picture of them wearing their own Red Thread and 'S' Bead in support with a little message of 'you can do this' 'we are behind you every step of the way' and I was in tears… happy of course! Knowing that all my tribe were there with me virtually during those early, scary weeks meant the world to me.

I still haven't taken my Red Thread off yet and Sage is 5 and a half months strong. Kate created a platform for connection which made a new Mama like myself not miss out on celebrating motherhood with my nearest and dearest who thanks to her, were able to be with me every step of the way.. virtually ;)

Georgia Duff

Kate’s Role: Lamaze Parenting Classes & Birth Doula & Mama Blessing Support

We had four very useful and enjoyable classes with Kate, that covered all important topics in pregnancy from prenatal to postnatal, leaving us feeling very well informed and confident.

Even though we had read a lot of books Kate's classes offered further scientific based information, along with verifying and clarifying any questions or doubts we had. Kate is very professional and friendly and her classes were a lot of fun. We really feel that we now have a firm foundation in becoming parents and feel very supported.

Anne-Marie Szabo

Kate’s Role: Lamaze Parenting Classes

Kate has been what I didn't even know I needed!

Of course I appreciated that the transition into motherhood was going to be a transition - but I really could not have seen the pockets of quicksand. With each one I knew I could connect to Kate, and each time she always responded right away with helpful questions and advice.

Kate's style is thoughtful, caring, non-judgemental and very resourceful. Nothing ever felt prescriptive and she always took the time to listen (really listen) and understand what was at hand - whether related to our baby's development, motherhood or family life.

I am quite humbled at how big a shift parenting is and I am so incredibly grateful for the layer of support Kate has been. There is something really unique and valuable about the long term support that Collective Wisdom offers.

Kate has been there both before birth in helping honor and prepare for the weeks and months to follow, and certainly after, as I negotiate stepping back into work, living away from family and watching this little human change before my eyes!

I can't say enough how valuable it is has been to have a safe and resourceful space to figure this all out - Kate Drew is the best!

Courtnae Dunn

Kate's Role: Online Postnatal Doula

Often so much emphasis and preparation, surrounds the birth that the newborn phase and how one copes, can be neglected. Kate’s hands on approach, encompasses caring for both the mother and the baby.  She would patiently listen to me and gave me practical, achievable advice. She showed empathy and genuine concern for helping me seek balance with an unsettled newborn.  As time passed, Kate would check in on me to make sure I didn’t have any lingering concerns surrounding the birth.  Something I still reflect on today with appreciation.

Kate it is clear, you are an extra ordinary midwife whose passion for the job is second to none.  Kate you have a wealth of knowledge, which eases ones transition into parenthood.  The support, empathy and expertise shared by you exceeded all my expectations, and to that, I will be forever grateful.

Jo Bonney

Kate's Role: Postnatal Doula

We completed the Labour and Birth and Comfort Measures classes with Kate as part of our doula package. The class has helped us feel prepared and informed, as well as armed with some practical strategies that we were able to take home and practice straight after the class. Having access to these one on one classes, including the opportunity to have all our questions and ideas explored, has been particularly valuable as other supports have been disrupted with Covid-19. The consistent communication with Kate has made us feel very supported as we prepare for our first baby.

Greta Wieland

Kate’s Role: Lamaze Labour & Birth + Comfort Measure & Pain Relief Classes

Thank you Kate, for helping us prepare for the birth of our first child and to learn what to expect during labour, birth and the early days of breastfeeding. We feel much more confident now with understanding the basics and when we should make our way to the hospital which takes some stress out of the lead up to meeting our son. Kate's education is straight forward and evidence-based. We would recommend her services to anyone who is going to have a baby and needs some help with preparation.

Brianna & Benn Baker

Kate’s Role: Lamaze Labour & Birth, Comfort Measure & Pain Relief & Breastfeeding Classes

Kate is extremely friendly and makes you feel completely at ease in each class. Even my husband keeps talking about how much he learnt about breastfeeding!

Steph Smith

Kate’s Role: Lamaze Breastfeeding Classes

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