QUOTATIONS FROM WOMEN ABOUT THEIR BIRTH EXPERIENCES

"I can`t thankyou enough times to convey my real feelings about the support, care and attention you have given me over the past 6 months and for your confidence in my ability to birth at home" First baby born at home in water.

"Both of us feel that thankyou is not adequate enough for just how much we`ve appreciated your support. Your warmth, generosity and wisdom was instinctive and
I can`t tell you how comforted we were in the knowledge we knew we could trust you 100%. You are stars and we not only have a wonderful daughter but also the memory of a beautiful calm birth" Third baby born at home.

"I want to thank you for being there for me and for everything you did for us. What a great team you are! This birth was`nt the easiest but I remained confident that all would be well and i just don`t think I could have done it without you. You were so strong for the whole way through. My confidence is now restored because I definately did wonder if I could do it all. Big Thankyou." Third baby born at home.

"Your sensitivity, reassurance, caring and support were priceless throughout pregnancy, the birth and especially in the month afterwards. Your help in those early weeks was so important and appreciated. You provide a superb and precious service to women and their children. I hope that one day all women will be given the level of care you provide across the board". First baby.

"Thankyou for your calm reassuring manner, which made what was going to be an amazing experience, as perfect as if we'd designed it" (1st baby - waterbirth)

" Having had an emergency caesarean 3 years ago I was keen to avoid intervention this time…we were shown kindness, love, understanding, respect and empathy, we were encouraged to use our natural remedies and were supported in our quest for a natural, active birth" (2nd baby - VBAC)

"your quiet understated and professional ways enabled us to have the birth we'd dreamed of" (1st baby - waterbirth)

"you helped make our birthing experience so special" (2nd baby)

"it was amazing giving birth in the pool, thankyou Laura for not giving in and letting me go the whole way without other drugs (at the time I wanted to kill everyone but I'm so grateful now)!" (1st baby in water)

"you were wonderful, when number two comes along you will have to be there!" (1st baby)

"all women agree that giving birth is painful but many of the other things complained of didn't happen to me because of your caring ways, I felt in control and I did not feel any loss of dignity" (2nd baby)

"thankyou for all your kindness and support throughout the births of our two babies" (1st & 2nd babies)

"…she is so good, I really think that having such a calm birth has made her a calmer baby…." (2nd baby in water).

"If it wasn't for your patience and motivational skills I'm sure we would still be here waiting!" (1st baby long backache labour).

"it was one of the most incredible experiences of my life (2nd baby - VBAC) You provided me with the continuity of care I needed and flexibility for antenatal visits. Your sensitivity and ability to listen meant that I felt you both knew exactly what we wanted and needed at the birth. A perfect balance between being hands-on as needed without unecessary proceedures. Thankyou!" (Homebirth of 2nd baby)

"Thank you for the support you offered me in the face of hospital opposition which enabled me to pursue my desire to birth my baby at home.Your commitment to us helped establish a positive, caring relationship with me and my partner (and my family during my preparation and at the birth).You coached me through the birth process and had every confidence that I could do it! And no interventions!You nurtured me and met my needs completely. I just could not have done it so beautifully without your expert guidance, encouragement and support. Thankyou!" (1st baby born at home in water).

"The fact that you have total experience in home and waterbirth made us feel secure. It was great to get the chance to all really know each other due to all your lovely visits, giving me the chance to discuss all on my mind. You have a manner that is so relaxed and cheerful that you gave me real confidence about the birth. And of course, need I say the fantastic, professional and experienced way you dealt with the birth giving me all the confidence I needed." (2nd Baby born at home)

"You enabled me to give birth the way I wanted to and empowered me. I wanted the birth to be a relaxed and sacred experience and you allowed that to happen by
getting to know us, believing in us and working with us. You supported my partner as well as myself and treated us as a unit rather than just focusing on me, which would have not benefitted our unity. Your high level of committment to midwifery and the constant communication throughout labour, especially at the times I was starting to panic was invaluable. Thankyou for being there. It was FAB!" (1st Baby born at home in water).