Testimonials
"I had planned for a beautiful home birth with Anette, but a medical condition made it necessary to change plans and have an induced hospital birth. Anette’s experience and knowledge of both natural and hospital births was truly a blessing. She helped navigate all the different procedures and interventions, which can be overwhelming, especially for a first-time mother. I said then, and I still feel now—I couldn’t have done it without her! No matter the place of birth, you’ll be in the best care with Anette by your side."
— Laura, first-time mom
"Dear Anette ~
birth witness, compassionate soul, doula, wise woman.
Five weeks ago, you supported us through the birthing portal.
As time passes, my gratitude deepens. You helped me find confidence in the decision to give birth at home. Mario already had it! It gave us the peaceful, undramatic start to life with our baby and as a family we had dreamed of.
Thank you for not reassuring me in our first conversation months ago—I realized I had to find that confidence within myself.
Thank you for always being available to talk, any time, about big or small matters. That meant so much!
Your knowledge, experience, and respect for the birth process (and the time before and after) shines through. You've been a doula since before the term even existed in Norway. And maybe because of that, you have the skill to only bring in your knowledge when it’s truly relevant. Or when we ask. I felt you trusted us completely throughout.
Thank you for letting me be at peace during the birth. What I wanted most was to be in my own bubble. The way you quietly attuned yourself in the living room before joining me—and how you calmly bore witness during the final hours—was wonderful.
Then, your shift in focus after the baby arrived. In the ecstatic moment, your calm, practical guidance was exactly what I needed.
We couldn’t have had better support. I hope many others will receive that gift. It's with us for life.
We need to hear each other’s stories to remember what is possible and what choices we have.
My hope is that someone reading this will remember that giving birth is entirely normal. It can even be an everyday event. And yes, we were made for this.
Do your own research.
Make informed decisions.
Give birth where you feel safest.
That may be at home.
And if you want to be supported by someone with deep love, respect, experience, and knowledge of physiological birth—contact Harmonisk Fødsel, Anette L’Orsa"
— Ann Kristin and Mario, first-time parents
"During this pregnancy, it became clear to me that I wanted to give myself the best chance to fully own the birthing process. I wanted to give birth at home, where I feel safest. And I wanted an experienced support person with me, someone who knows natural birth, because to me it was unfamiliar territory. A big part of me feared I wouldn’t manage it, that I would back down when faced with intensity and pain.
How could I bridge all the fear I had learned to associate with birth, and the dream birth I wanted? A part of me knew I was 100% capable of giving birth naturally.
You were the one who could mirror that inner knowing, Anette. With your steady presence and solid competence, you became the bridge I needed.
I wanted my birth to be a rite of passage, a journey inward to draw out the qualities I knew were there. I knew that with you present, I could make it happen.
With you there, that part of me could bloom and guide the birthing process.
I felt fundamentally safe with you because I knew you value my freedom to choose as much as I do. It is rare to find someone I can invite into the most intimate space of life, knowing you would never override me. And it’s rare that someone with so much knowledge about birth can sit still and observe while the birthing person finds her own way—one contraction at a time—without suggesting, steering, or interfering.
You can do that. You were with me the whole way, from the beginning until little brother was safely in my arms. When I doubted, I could borrow some of your calm and confidence.
I am forever grateful that you exist, that you choose to work with birth in the way you do, and that you have so much competence while still allowing the birthing woman to own the process. I wholeheartedly recommend you to any woman who can and wants to birth her child at home, with support and without interference."
— Marthe, second-time mom
"After a traumatic first birth during COVID, it was clear to me that a good doula was exactly what I needed to feel safe enough to give birth again. I'm so glad I found Anette!
Throughout the preparation, the birth itself, and in the post-birth follow-up, Anette was a safe buffer between me and the healthcare system. Someone I had gotten to know beforehand, not just another new face on duty. Someone with competence and experience. Someone with care, patience, and compassion.
Anette supported both my partner and the rest of the birth team. She asked the control questions I didn’t have the strength to ask myself. She came up with solutions we could try when challenges felt overwhelming. She had such strong belief in me and my ability to give birth that it helped me dare to stay the course and stick with my plan for a redemptive birth—even when things got difficult. This experience healed something in me!
I was reborn, again, as a mother, with my second child, and Anette was a vital part of that. Thank you so much ❤"
— Ingerid & Sigurd
"Anette was a wonderful support to us during the pregnancy and birth of our second daughter. The knowledge we gained through courses and conversations made both me and my partner feel safe and well-prepared. She was there when we had questions and spent a lot of time with us in the days leading up to the birth. We especially appreciated that Anette was present in the delivery room when I had to be admitted to the ICU after the previous birth (cesarean), which caused a lot of worry and uncertainty for the father who was left in the maternity ward with our daughter. This time was a fantastic birth experience where we could focus entirely on the job at hand. Anette gave massages to relieve pain and was a super supporter all the way. She worked very well with the midwife at Rikshospitalet.
We’d like to highlight that Anette was a very important resource for the father both before and during the birth. It made it much easier for him to stay calm and allowed him to be fully present as a father and partner.
Everyone should have an Anette in the delivery room!"
— Ingrid & Bjørn
"Anette radiates kindness, stability, and knowledge. She is both grounded in herself and believes in the birthing woman and the innate power that lives within us. This is something we women need more of! I believe it is vital for us to be surrounded by this kind of security during birth, as many of us have forgotten that we are indeed capable. Safe surroundings, support, and the presence of other women are some of the most important things we can have in such a vulnerable situation. Anette definitely offers this kind of support to both the birthing woman and her partner, and with her knowledge, she can offer valuable techniques that will give you the belief that you too can do this. I warmly recommend Anette."
— Julianne, first-time mom
"We are so grateful that we had Anette with us at the birth of our little son. Anette is a positive, knowledgeable, and warm doula who was a wonderful addition to both pregnancy and birth. She listened to our wishes for the birth and helped us with advice and conversations when we felt uncertain. There are an overwhelming number of thoughts that arise day and night as birth approaches, so having someone you trust and who responds quickly during that process is a huge source of security. No question was too small or too big, and Anette calmed, explained, and advised when we needed it. At the same time, she made room for our own thoughts and opinions and supported our choices.
Especially when the hospital stay became longer than expected, it was very helpful for my partner to take breaks without guilt. He felt confident that I was never alone and always had support and energy by my side. It was also heartwarming to see that the midwives appreciated Anette and her contributions, and recognized how important she was to us.
Anette helped me stay positive throughout the birth, and even when it took an unexpected turn and we had to go for a cesarean, she remained a crucial support. We couldn’t imagine doing it without her. When my partner left to be with our newborn son, Anette stayed with me in the operating room, held my hand, and gave me calm and strength. It meant the world to me and us. I highly recommend her. Anette is truly exceptional!"
— Henriette, first-time mom
“Anette's prenatal classes were worth their weight in gold! It was so wonderful to be welcomed by such a down-to-earth and reassuring woman in her fantastic yurt. I felt reassured that I would be able to face the upcoming birth with confidence and strength, even though there would be pain involved. In addition, I felt that my partner understood everything that was explained, and he also feels more confident about the birth and the time afterwards. Which in turn makes me feel even more confident!
Thank you so much for the great tips, your belief in natural birth, and the power of birth! I'm very excited!"
— Isabelle, first-time mom
“A sense of calm descended as soon as we arrived at Anette's charming farm on Tjøme. Tucked away in her safe and cozy yurt, we learned about what happens before, during, and after birth, both in the body and mind, and from a purely medical perspective. We experienced a sense of calm and security after the course that helped us through the birth itself. A bonus was that Anette was able to teach the course in English for us, and that our dog was allowed to join us. We also wanted her to be present at the birth itself, but didn't have time as the baby arrived three weeks early. We highly recommend Anette's course! ”
— Lulla & Hektor
“We will be forever grateful to Anette for the way she supported me and my husband during the birth of our son. Things began as planned at the birth centre, and while there, she helped me to stay calm and naturally manage the pain in a way that would not have been possible without her. When I was moved to the hospital for reasons that were outside of our control, she continued to support me and also ensured that what was best for me and our son was not overlooked in the fray of shift changes and hospital protocols. Her presence throughout the process felt completely natural; she knew exactly what to do and when to do it, and she had a way of being fully present while also not taking up space. Every birthing woman deserves to have someone like Anette supporting them during their birth. We really can’t recommend her enough!”
— Elise (& Balder)
“I felt very comfortable with Anette from the start. She is positive, energetic, and knowledgeable, which made me realize immediately that she would take good care of me during childbirth. She responds quickly and is available in the days leading up to the birth, and when labor began, she arrived immediately. In addition, she understands the emotions surrounding childbirth well, and I felt that she gave me security and confidence in myself. I had the birth I wanted and felt very good afterwards. Last but not least, I felt energetic after the birth and very satisfied with the work we had done. This is my second child, and I highly recommend a doula to help you through childbirth."
— Laia, second-time mother
“I have twins who are five months old, and we are lucky to still have Anette's support once a week.
During my pregnancy, I could call her whenever I needed to talk about something, and she helped me enjoy the process of being pregnant and giving birth. She also made me aware of what was important to me. I received thorough birth preparation.
In my case, the father couldn't be present at the birth, so I had Anette with me as a doula. It's a special time right now, which made it so good to have Anette as a doula. Otherwise, the experience of being pregnant and the postpartum period would have been poorer.
I experience Anette as a safe, strong, warm, and present doula. I also received a rebozo massage, which was a beautiful ceremony. ”
— Kari, first-time mother
"My wonderful, warm, kind, and reassuring birth doula, Anette!
She came to our home for a prenatal consultation to prepare for what I, the mother-to-be, and we as a couple wanted and needed during the birth.
She is available during the anxious time before birth when thoughts are racing. She helped me through difficult thoughts and stress when the baby was ten days overdue.
With her strong hands, she helped me through contractions. She is present without taking up too much space, and she was right where I needed her throughout the birth. She is full of knowledge, care, and humor.
She comes for maternity visits during the first few weeks, dries and encapsulates the placenta if desired, and answers questions about the baby, carrying, breastfeeding, and sore tears.
All women in labor need a doula like Anette.”
—Andrea, second-time mom and home birther
"We are so grateful that we had Anette with us at the birth of our little son. Anette is a positive, knowledgeable, and warm doula who was a wonderful addition to both pregnancy and birth. She listened to our wishes for the birth and helped us with advice and conversations when we felt uncertain. There are an overwhelming number of thoughts that arise day and night as birth approaches, so having someone you trust and who responds quickly during that process is a huge source of security. No question was too small or too big, and Anette calmed, explained, and advised when we needed it. At the same time, she made room for our own thoughts and opinions and supported our choices.
Especially when the hospital stay became longer than expected, it was very helpful for my partner to take breaks without guilt. He felt confident that I was never alone and always had support and energy by my side. It was also heartwarming to see that the midwives appreciated Anette and her contributions, and recognized how important she was to us.
Anette helped me stay positive throughout the birth, and even when it took an unexpected turn and we had to go for a cesarean, she remained a crucial support. We couldn’t imagine doing it without her. When my partner left to be with our newborn son, Anette stayed with me in the operating room, held my hand, and gave me calm and strength. It meant the world to me and us. I highly recommend her. Anette is truly exceptional!"
— Henriette, first-time mom
