"Wonderful Know your Midwife program."

When I first registered with the Box Hill Hospital to eventually have my baby there, I tried to get into the Know-Your-Midwife program. Unfortunately there was no place there for me. During the course of my pregnancy, the program received more funding, enabling them to expand the program and I got a call asking if I would still like to participate. I was not disappointed! My midwife, Nicola, was amazingly supportive and helpful. She got to know me, my body, my child-bearing history and my family ensuring that my care was designed with my needs and preferences in mind. She patiently and graciously answered every question and listened to every concern before, during and after delivery. The ability to have just one mid-wife focusing on my case made me more confident and relaxed. I really felt as though I had an advocate - like she was on my team. As someone who lives very far from any extended family or support network this was a tremendous gift. But honestly, ALL women would benefit from this type of care. I would like to express my appreciation of my particular midwife, Nicola, but also to say that while I was lucky to get into this program in the middle of my pregnancy, women should not have to rely on luck to get this type of personalized, individual care. Please, please do whatever you can to expand this program so that more women can have the same excellent care that I did.