"My experience of care with the Family Birth Centre"

During my recent pregnancy I was cared for by Georgia, a beautiful midwife from the family birth centre at KEMH. As a clinician myself I was apprehensive about being on the other side of clinical care however from the very first phone call I knew I had made the right decision to go with the midwife led model of care at the family birthing centre.

I found Georgia was warm, welcoming, laid back and full of knowledge around the natural process of childbirth which made me feel relaxed and confident throughout my pregnancy. I valued the rapport I was able to develop with my midwife as I saw her regularly antenatally. My antenatal appointments where all extremely relevant, educational, well organised, never rushed and Georgia and her team always kept me informed. I found they were also very easy to contact outside of routine appointments when any concerns arose no matter how small. 

The environment at the birthing centre was relaxed, the setting non clinical and I cannot say enough about how valuable all the holistic antenatal care and education was. 

I did not end up birthing at the family birthing centre due to having an induction but even with this change my midwife from the centre was able to be present for my labour and birth at KEMH which I am so grateful for. Having continuity of care with a midwife who I already knew and had a rapport with was amazing. It helped to put my mind at ease when my initial birthing plans where drastically changed. Myself and my partner cannot praise her highly enough for the care she provided antenatally and throughout my labour and birth where she was supportive, encouraging and advocated for me when I couldn't. Her care had such an impact she even unknowingly helped us name our gorgeous baby boy! 

I felt the top level care continued with our post natal home visits where we were given amazing support, education and follow up with a lactation consultant when I had difficulties with breast feeding.  

I could not recommend the family birthing centre service highly enough and feel extremely lucky to have had such a positive experience and have had such an amazing midwife.