Tēnā koutou katoa.

Ko Anna tōku ingoa.
Nō England ahau
Ko Southampton tōku turangawaewae.
E noho ana ahau i Aotearoa mō ngā tau e waru.
Kei Wellington au e noho ana.
Ko Rosie tōku mama. Ko David tōku papa. Ko Dom tōku hoa rangatira.
Ko Isaac raua ko Asher aku tamaiti.

No reira tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa.

 

Hi! I'm Anna (she/her). I am originally from Southampton, England;  famous for the Titanic! (from where it set sail on the maiden voyage). Daughter of Rosie and David. I live with my life partner, our 2 little humans (who amaze and inspire me everyday) and a bossy cat. I am little sister to two brothers, a niece, an auntie of 6, a cousin, and a friend to many. My wider family are all in the UK, and I luckily have some cuzzies in beautiful Waikato, too.

I am privileged to be a Registered Health Professional working in Primary Health, and a Self employed Birth Worker specialising in hypnobirth preparation and postnatal emotional wellbeing . Outisde of that I love music, hot bubble baths, the great outdoors (camping, mountain biking, snorkelling, bush walks) and the great indoors (board games, playing with my kids or curled up under a blanket enjoying a good series on Netflix - recent fave Schitts Creek). I am a pescatarian and flirt with being vegan. I like a Yorkshire tea/flat white in the morning, a glass of red in the evening.

What's My Story? 

I have always been drawn to being around and working with people. Connection and relationships are important to me. Before having my own babies I loved being a practicing Social Worker, after completing a post grad Masters in with Distinction. My first job was in the nothern city of Sheffield (UK); supporting vulnerable children and families in need. Before that, I was a student volunteer and personal care worker for adults with head injuries. An adventurous move to NZ led to me continue my social work practice with adults experiencing acute and chronic mental illness. I had nearly 4 happy years working for CCDHB, both at Te Whare O Matairangi psychiatric inpatent unit at Wellington Hospital, before moving to a community mental health team. I currently work part time in Primary Health.

So I have always loved, and thrived from working with people in an empowering and caring capacity!

Going through the monumentous transition of pregnancy, birth and parenthood myself, really opened my eyes to this huge life event, and really honed in the way I wanted to continue empower and care for people.

  • I became driven to support and empower people in the lead up to and preparation for birth, in a way that would maximise them having the best experience possible - for them.
  • And I was passionate about supporting the emotional and mental wellbeing of parents who sustained psychological injury from a traumatic birth experience, experienced loss, or struggled with anxiety.

So I sought out the best education providers I could to allow myself to support people in this way, and Anna's Birth Services was born.

I am always learning, and would be immensely privileged to support you through your parenthood journey, whether it is for the first or tenth time!

I look forward to hearing from you,

Anna xx

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Qualifications and Skills

2002 - BA (Hons) in Language and Communication

2004 -  Masters with Distinction in Social Work

2013 - Accredited Birth Doula with the award-winning doula (Pregnancy and Birth Magazine Doula of the Year 2009) and author of Secrets of Birth, Kicki Hansard of BirthBliss Academy.

2014 - Diploma in KGHypnobirthing . I am the ONLY qualified KGHypnobirthing teacher in the lower North Region so please book early to avoid disappointment!

2016 - When Survivors Give Birth workshop for birth workers, with the Grandmother of Doulas; Penny Simkin

2018 - I was thrilled to join the team of facilitators for Wellington's 25 year running quality antenatal icon, the holistic-focused Birth Wise Wellington 

2019 - Spinning Babies® Workshop, taught by NZ midwife and educator Claire Eccleston

2020 - Certified 3 Step Rewind Practitoner with TBR College of Perinatal of Emotional Health

2021 - Supporting Baby Loss and Miscarriage with TBR College of Perinatal of Emotional Health

2022 - Understanding Perinatal Anxiety - How to Build Emotional Reslience In Ourselves and Others with TBR College of Perinatal of Emotional Health

2022 - Trained in Focussed Acceptance and Commitment Therpay, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and an endrosed Health Improvement Practitioner.

Also...

  • In April 2021 I hosted Wellington's first and hugely successful screening of Birth Time: The Documentary with Little Shadow and the support of Vida Rye, Suzi Hume
  • I am well established and have great connections to and among the birth and health community of Wellington.
  • I am actively engaged with our growing whanau of doulas both in Wellington and across the country, so we can protect and promote our role, strengthen our connection, and best support the new parents of Wellington.
  • I volunteered my birth doula service to young Mums at House of Grace and am police checked.

Birth Wise Team 2018