Anna Driver
Birth Doula
KG Hypnobirthing
3 Step Rewind Program (for symptoms of trauma following a difficult birth)
Antenatal course facilitator (Birth Wise Wellington)
Kia Ora! I'm a super passionate and friendly parent-centered birth worker in Wellington. I have instinctively trained in services that prioritises your emotional and mental well-being through pregnancy, birth and beyond.
As an experienced accredited BirthBliss birth doula and member of The Doula Association, I will provide you with continuous emotional, physical and practical support; walking alongside you (and your partner/siblings if applicable) and working cohesively with your LMC, and as you grow in confidence in your ability to have an empowering experience, whatever choices you make.
As the only qualified KGHypnobirthing teacher and member in the lower North Island, I run group and private courses that will support you to release fear, get informed and build trust, leaving you and your partner (if applicable) feeling equipped and ready for a more calm, and comfortable birth.
And as the first member of the Traumatic Birth Recovery College of Perinatal Emotional Health in NZ, I specialise in trauma recovery with 3 Step Rewind. I safely, gently and effectively offer therapeutic skills to meet your needs if you have experienced a difficult or traumatic event in pregnancy, during the birth, or the days afterwards, including loss.
I hope you enjoy looking through the variety of services I offer. If there is something you want to know that you cannot find the answer for, I welcome all questions and inquiries! I am already looking forward to hearing from you - you won't regret it!
Aroha nui, Anna x
Birth Doula Testimonial
“In the antenatal period, Anna provided fantastic reading material on positive birthing and parenting, and different methods of preparing yourself for birth, including addressing underlying fears of birth. She coached my partner Mark and I through different labouring poses, routines, and methods for breathing - which got me through my 50+ hour labour!! During labour, Anna was exceptional. If felt like she never left my side despite going through the night and well into the afternoon of the following day. She made me feel safe, comforted, strong, resilient; she encouraged me through some of the toughest moments of my life! She ensured I was hydrated throughout my labour, massaged me, guided my breathing, held my hand when I most needed her, listened and was the most humble and incredible being I could have hoped for. Cannot stress enough how crucial Anna was to my successful natural birth that felt empowering and strong. After the birth Anna was caring, emotionally engaged, helpful and captured the most intimate and beautiful photographs of my mother, partner, midwife and baby. We are so grateful to have these images, and without Anna they wouldn’t have been possible.If I have another baby I would have another doula a hundred times yes, but a thousand times Anna.”
KG Hypnobirthing Testimonial
“Anna’s KGHypnobirthing course was hugely beneficial to my partner and I and instrumental in preparing us for the home birth of our son earlier this month. We first met Anna through our antenatal classes. When I found out Anna offered hypnobirthing courses I thought it must be meant to be! I had previously heard vaguely about hypnobirthing but knew little about what it actually involved. However, I knew it was something I wanted to look into. My partner and I had been exploring the idea of a home birth but we were undecided and somewhat hesitant as this was our first baby and we had no close friends who’d had a home birth. For me I knew I wanted a natural birth without intervention if possible. I realised that the best way to achieve this was to work on my head space and expose myself to more positive messages and stories. I’ve found that there are plenty of ‘scare stories’ we’re exposed to as parents-to-be so it’s important to try to tip the balance back toward the positive.
We did a private hypnobirthing course with Anna coming to our house. My partner and I both learned so much from the course, both practical tools and techniques and mental preparation. We learned some great breathing techniques, visualisations and affirmations to help get through each stage of labour. The course was also really valuable for my partner as he learned how to be be a great support person. After the course we both felt so positive and excited about the birth as opposed to nervous and apprehensive. We made good use of the course materials we were provided (MP3 downloads and KGHypnobirthing book) in the lead up to birth which kept us on track and in a good head space.
Overall I can say with certainty that Anna’s hypnobirthing course was highly valuable for us and made a significant difference in our birth experience. We had such a lovely home birth experience during which I used the breathing techniques Anna taught me. My partner reminded me about my breathing when things were intense and supported me with encouragement and affirmations. He also used some of the acupressure and massage techniques Anna taught him. The hypnobirthing course gave us confidence and totally reduced any fears that were lingering in the back of our minds. We went into our birth experience feeling calm and ready so for us it was 100% worthwhile. To anyone considering hypnobirthing during their pregnancy, I highly recommend getting in touch with Anna. She is wonderful!”
3 Step Rewind Testimonial
“I spent 3 years hoping the trauma from my birth would just ‘go away’ or ‘disappear’ but then when the opportunity to try the 3 Step Rewind Technique with Anna Driver came up I took it- even though I was a bit skeptical at first. Anna was so kind and gentle I was soon put at ease and felt completely comfortable sharing my story without judgement even though I didn’t have to share if I didn’t want to. The 3 Step Technique itself is remarkably simple- so much so that I didn’t know if it would work. While working with Anna I came to realise that my birth trauma had touched so many different aspects of my current life and thinking that I didn’t even realise. Within a fortnight after completing the technique I was completely in awe of how different my mindset was- I was no longer controlled by thoughts of fear, pain and failure. I could look at my birth experience without drawing forward all the pain that had plagued me for so long. I can now look forward to the birth of my second child with optimism and enjoy the experience of pregnancy without a shadow hanging over me. I know now that I can walk forward without fear and can instead continue to grow. Thank you so much, Anna, for the work you do. I never knew something like this existed and want to recommend it to everyone, no matter how small or big your trauma may feel. If it is affecting you in any way, just do it! You will be forever changed.”
Mother Blessing Testimonial
“I was lucky enough to find a doula who was able to facilitate a mother blessing too. What luck! I very much enjoyed the mother blessing Anna organised for me. It was professional yet easy going. It was grounded and the space was held so we were able to express ourselves fully in a safe manner. Looking back at mother blessing makes me thing I did a favour to myself. I now have a memory which marks a really important part of my life. I have a positive memory of being pampered, heard and seen by my closest friends. A memory to balance and acknowledge my pregnancy, the beauty of it and also the harder moments pregnancy brings. It has been very joyful experience.”