Birth Stories

Glynis was so gracious and such a delight to work with.  Although I only met her a couple of months before my delivery, she made time for labor/delivery and breastfeeding classes with my husband and I.  She is incredibly knowledgeable not only of the prenatal and labor process but also what to expect when giving birth in a hospital in Asia as it is a bit different from the West.  Glynis answered all of my questions with helpful information and even helped me consider things that I never would have thought of or known to ask about!  She also helped me create a birth plan, which gave me confidence in knowing what I needed and what to ask for during my delivery. Her many years of experience are evident in the support she offers.

My labor was uniquely long and difficult, but Glynis was an encouragement and calming presence for us every step of the way.  When unexpected situations arose during the labor process, her listening ear and gracious advice gave us the reassurance we needed as we made decisions.  She even offered support to my mother, who was anxiously waiting outside the delivery room!  I truly believe the delivery of our son was much less scary and intimidating because Glynis was on the journey with us.

After the delivery, she offered advice on breastfeeding, bathing baby, helping with gas, and so many other things we weren't sure about as first time parents.  I truly am so grateful for Glynis!

My husband and I are American expats living in Penang. As this was my first pregnancy, we were excited to meet our first child, but also a bit nervous about giving birth outside of our passport country without the support of our family nearby. It was a real blessing from God that Glynis happened to be our next-door neighbor (literally), and that she was able to help us as our doula. Before the birth, she provided us with information about what to expect and gave advice on how to prepare for the big day. Her guidance helped ease my anxiety tremendously by helping me feel better prepared and informed. During labor, she was incredibly supportive and had many ideas to help with pain management that I wouldn’t have known to try or request. As the labor progressed, there was a complication that led us to need an emergency C-section. Glynis was very helpful in communicating with the doctor throughout this process and advocated for me by asking that I not be put under general anesthesia but that I instead be allowed to be awake for the surgery. This request was something that I would have had no idea to ask for, but I am beyond thankful that she said something because being able to hear my son’s first cry is a memory I will cherish forever. After the birth, Glynis visited us many times in the hospital and then later at our home when we returned. She helped me learn how to breastfeed for the first time and was a great emotional support during this time.  Overall, we felt very supported by Glynis and safe in her care from beginning to end. Her knowledge about giving birth in Penang is extensive and very valuable, especially to those who are doing it for the first time in this location. We thank God for bringing Glynis in our lives, and she comes with our highest recommendation!

I don't think I sufficiently expressed my gratitude to you yet for the dramatic role that you played in the arrival of our  baby.  Yes -- I know that much of your coaching and support was naturally directed to my wife (who needed every second/minute of it), but the reality is that I can't even imagine trying to welcomer baby  into this world without your constant support and guidance.  You are BEYOND special and BEYOND gifted.   Truly -- from walking/talking us through things weeks ahead, to helping Amy relax/breathe during the pre-labor on Tuesday, to helping her push that baby out, to now offering check-ups and advice as we get this baby girl (and mommy) up to speed, you are just BEYOND incredible.  I want you to know that.   Again -- I know that I have not always been the most communicative, but I hold you in awe and I can't thank you enough for all the support you have offered our family.  THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!   I am so blessed and grateful.

Though we were not able to meet until a few weeks before the delivery of our little girl, we were very pleased with her doula services. We were able to get to know each other a little bit before the birth, and we feel as though she understood what we wanted to be able to guide us in the delivery room. She made sure to bring some things that we didn’t have already to the delivery room the day of which was super helpful. We also appreciated the fact that dad could be alongside mom the entire labor process without ever having to leave. This was super helpful. While pushing, we also appreciated the encouragement she could give where dad wasn’t quite sure what to say. Her keeping calm kept us calm throughout the whole delivery process. It was nice to have someone there to encourage us where the doctor was just there for another procedure. It made us much more comfortable. Thankfully Glynis also handled boundaries with the Doctor and midwives well. She made sure to let the staff do their job while she did hers.

After birth has been a great experience too. From the very beginning we loved that she helped to encourage breastfeeding right out of the womb. She was there to help mom learn how to help baby latch and suck for the first time. After moving out of the delivery room we were also very much encouraged and calm having her alongside us to answer any questions. I’m sure the nurses and midwives would’ve been good at helping mom, but Glynis was a more personal helper. Someone who understood what we wanted in regards to mom and baby. After arriving home, a little nervous about being on our own, it was great to know we could text or call Glynis at any time. Questions about breastfeeding, sleeping, weird things in her diaper... hahaha We love that we were able to count on her after leaving the hospital as well. She was very available to us, and was even there to pick up baby things and medicines as needed. As a doula her services were great! We also were calmed in knowing that she is a midwife and had the ability to do things like vaginal exams if needed throughout the labor process and after birth as well.

I so appreciated Glynis’s supported of me and my family, surrounding my baby’s birth. This support came in so many ways. Her prayers also meant so much to us, and the peaceful environment she created made a huge difference in our welcoming our daughter. The way she went beyond my hopes by bringing me for a massage a week before the birth, and caring for me after the birth, almost like she was my own mother, helped me to feel so well-cared for, when I most needed it.

The lovely ‘Love plaque’ with my babies footprints she made as a gift, is a pleasure to see every time I walk past it. I am grateful for the ‘love’ she even put into that. I appreciated the intentional following of the Holy Spirit and I am inspired by her ministry and love. Our lives and birth have been impacted by her loving contribution to us. We are deeply thankful for her as a Doula and now a friend.

Having Glynis as my doula was one of the best decisions I made for my delivery. As this is my first baby, I had no clue what to expect and what to do during labor, neither did my partner. Frankly, I cannot imagine how I would have managed a natural birth without Glynis. She did everything for me, from holding my hand to massaging and heating my back to help ease the pain. She did this without ever asking for a break and with a sweet and caring smile throughout. She made my partner and me feel confident and calm, she helped us stick to our birth plan, she answered professionally all the questions we had about the labor and the birth, she guided us on how to evaluate the risks of certain procedures, and she respected all our choices. I feel very fortunate to have found Glynis to support me through such a significant moment in my life and I will be forever grateful to her.

My husband and I life as Expats in Malaysia. As we are foreigners we are not familiar with how it works to get a baby here. I was very afraid that the pregnancy and the birth wont be good because of the cultural and the language border. Thats why we contacted Glynis. She supported us from day one, gave us an unbelievable amount of helpful tips and accompanied me even in difficult times. The birth was very long and intense, but with Glynis help I didn't need any medical interventions. Giving birth to my son was an incredible experience and I'm very thankful that Glynis was by my side. I thank you so much!