|
|
| <<Previous story |
Sara Keel says it was her kind and understanding midwives, coupled with her supportive husband that led to the positive and happy home birth of daughter Lauren.
Our midwives were gentle, knowledgeable and encouraging. But above all, what made them extra special was their attitude, approach and understanding that it was me having this baby, not them. Qualities sadly lacking in most midwives I encountered before I had the good fortune of meeting midwives from The Birth Centre.
I did not want to have any scans during my pregnancy. A decision for which some midwives gave me a hard time, with one reducing me to tears as she tried to bully me into having an ultrasound.
The
team at The Birth Centre gave neither me nor my husband any such pressure;
they welcomed our decisions and respected our personal choices throughout.
The midwives, Gillian and Alex, assigned to look after us and our growing baby were highly skilled and had no hesitation in using manual techniques, and their vast knowledge of pregnancy to check our baby's progress and to monitor her position. They knew what they were doing and as there were no complications, they did not need a machine.
They
were extremely compassionate and calming, and gave us every confidence
in the natural process of pregnancy and becoming parents. So much so that
just 8 weeks before our baby was due we decided on a home birth.
I felt extremely comfortable in this choice and knew that between my midwives and my husband I was in the most wonderful hands.
My husband, Julian, a chiropractor, played an active role throughout my term, treating me with his invaluable chiropractic and cranial techniques. Treatment which undoubtedly was a key factor in me having a comfortable pregnancy, free from aches, pains or discomfort and which allowed our baby to develop, without restriction, in the optimum position in utero and to be born smoothly and without complication.
Julian was the most wonderfully supportive and caring partner
all through my pregnancy and an amazing help during labour as he aided
me with breathing techniques (getting me back on track whenever I lost
my focus), administered arnica, and made me feel safe, loved and strong.
He and Alex were an amazing team as was Gillian when she joined just after
Lauren emerged.
All went brilliantly and it was just four and half hours from established labour to the end of the third stage. Every step of the way I was cocooned in wonderful support and care and our beautiful baby girl is the most joyous, happy little bundle.
She has settled quickly and easily into her new world, feeding and growing well and also sleeping through the night from just a few weeks. Lauren was born into water at home on her due date with a happy start to her life which I do not hesitate in saying is thanks to our great midwives, the positive environment into which she was born, and the wonderful settling cranial treatment she has received from my husband.
Three cheers to Alex, Gillian, Julian and our delightful daughter Lauren.
Midwife Caroline Flint comments on Sara's birth:
Again that word - feeling "cocooned" at home with supportive midwives and a loving partner. This is a story about some of the midwives that I work with, they are indeed knowledgeable, supportive and calming, the qualities which midwives need to go through a labour with a woman. These midwives really trusted Sara's instincts.
Interesting that she had had pressure to have scans from other health professionals before she met her Birth Centre (www.Birthcentre.com) midwives who were completely unfazed by her decision.
There is still no evidence at all to suggest that ultrasound scanning is of any clinical benefit at all, it is nice for couples to be able to see their baby and many people say that it helps them to realise that they really are pregnant and to bond with their baby. But in countries where there is no scanning people seem to manage perfectly well to bond with their babies.
Scanning although fascinating and a great joy could be seen as an expensive toy to an overburdened Health Service. It is the marketing skills of the scanner manufacturers which has ensured that every woman in the UK is scanned, not the clinical needs of women.
| <<Previous story |
Where to next?
