Birth story and testimonial
Janine and JC homebirth their rainbow baby“Trying to navigate a sensitive pregnancy was very challenging for me and I felt the support with achieving my desired birth was limited by my midwifery team. From the moment we first spoke, I knew I had someone on my team. Someone that wanted to do everything possible to ensure I had the birth of my dreams…”
BIRTH STORY
Janine and I met later on in her pregnancy. She was planning a homebirth for her rainbow baby, but her local trust did not have a normal homebirth team. It was staffed by midwives from the obstetric unit, so there was no guarantee that when the day came they’d be midwives to attend her birth. This made Janine very anxious, and so she asked for my support with ensuring her wishes were understood and supported. Janine, her partner and I did a lot of planning around what to expect during birth, the trust’s legal obligations and plans for what happens if there are no midwives to attend her birth and the options around this. Janine decided to throw caution to the wind and to trust that when the time came a midwife would be available. And, of course, I supported this as an informed choice.On the day I was away, which we knew was a potential risk, so I attended virtually. Sadly, the unit were not keen on sending midwives out to Janine, but after a few conversations and many tears & emotions we managed to get some midwives - Yay! The birth was beautiful. The midwives were respectful and gentle and we all worked together as a team. This always makes my heart so happy - contrary to popular belief, doulas and midwives can work well together! Janine gave brith to her gorgeous daughter after a clinically straightforward labour. Although the emotional aspect had been a lot given the practical challenges, Janine looked completely overjoyed by what she had managed to achieve and it was absolutely magical to watch her and JC in the moments after brith coming to the realisation that they were parents to a little girl. See Janine’s testimonial below. TESTIMONIAL
“I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the help and support you gave me throughout my pregnancy. Trying to navigate a sensitive pregnancy was very challenging for me and I felt the support with achieving my desired birth was limited by my midwifery team. From the moment we first spoke, I knew I had someone on my team. Someone that wanted to do everything possible to ensure I had the birth of my dreams. Your knowledge of birth, my rights, the biology, physiology and practical aspects are second to none. You are so incredibly passionate about providing accurate statistical information that enabled me as the birthing mother to be completely informed.
Whilst we only started working together at the end of my pregnancy, you made trips to see me regularly, plus regular texts and phone calls. I have felt supported, I felt listened to and I felt heard. I felt that I could make decisions that I already wanted to make but was nervous to do so without having backing from a medical professional. The continued support and dedication came whilst you were on a family holiday and I went into labour. We had to navigate a challenging home birth team (or lack thereof) so that I could have the homebirth I desired. You gave support to my mum, my partner JC and spoke to the midwives on site when my birth preferences were not being listened to.
I will forever appreciate what you helped me to achieve, and whilst it was not exactly as I anticipated, I am excited to give birth again and will definitely hire a birthkeeper or doula for that birth.Thank you so much, from my family to yours. I couldn’t recommend you enough to work with people that feel overwhelmed at the prospect of birth, or where they are not being supported.”