Here at UK Birth Centres we think you deserve an individual approach for your birth support. We believe whole heartedly that you deserve to have the continued support of a midwife, so that you get to know her and she in turn learns about your hopes and fears and helps you to feel relaxed and cared for throughout your pregnancy and birth, and of course into those special early days with your newborn.
I believe that women are wonderfully designed to give birth so when they are supported by midwives with whom they have developed a relationship of trust then amazing births will happen. My philosophy of trust in the physiology of birth differs from the Medical model of child birth that proliferates in our health care system. The medical model believes that birth is only normal in retrospect and is fraught with potential problems that need fixing at any moment! This form of care appears to disempower women and leads to the use of phrases such as “I was not allowed” or “I had to have and induction” evidence that the women did not have any choice in the matter.
I have been an Independent midwife for 9 years and have noticed that there are many things I view as essentials to my home birth kit that were absent when I was a community Midwife for the NHS. I am not talking about the standard equipment sonic aid, sphygmomanometer and stethoscope, thermometer, sterile gloves, etc.
Exposure to midwifery practice where the midwife is fulfilling her role allowed me personally to regain myself as a practitioner – focussing on the important elements of practice and skill; adapt to the environment (what is actually essential?); accept criticism and praise; be taught and teach; assume credibility as a practitioner with renewed belief in the central role and importance of the midwife.
Birth is a very instinctual process and could be described as a big “jigsaw” every piece needing to fit tightly to create the full picture.
On International Day of the Midwife, Midwife Jo Watson explains how UK Birth Centres can meet the needs of mums-to-be.
I have enjoyed the recent BBC drama series “Call the Midwife” that featured a group of Midwives in the 1950’s, who worked in the Docklands region of London. It has led me to reflect on the changes that I have seen during my career as a Midwife in Cheshire.