"MGP4 Continuity of care"

I wanted to publicly acknowledge and thank Kailey and her Buddy midwife Chloe for being an amazing part of my pregnancy, birth and post birth journey. I also want to thank them for welcoming student Midwife Katie onto our little team so warmly.

I found that Kailey is a calm, kind, funny and personable midwife who although can have a casual and fun vibe, when she is in midwife-mode she is reassuring, confident, clear, supportive and empowering.

I loved having her support during times when I felt overwhelmed at East Wing. The MGP continuity of care model was paramount in my wellbeing during pregnancy and birth. Knowing I had a team of support on the end of a phone and the same smiling face each appointment was so comforting especially as the months went on. Kailey helped me plan a date for induction. On the day I felt overwhelmed and she talked me through a short term plan on the day of induction and spoke with the hospital team for me. She made myself and my partner feel like we were a little team - along with my student midwife Katie.

During birth Kailey was awesome. When things got hard for me she remained positive with clear instructions and continued to cheer me on and bring me back to what I was trying to achieve. She gave me confidence. She supported me. She heard me. My partner also felt confident under her care especially when things felt difficult for me and when he was trying to support me when he felt stress. I felt so much care in the room and I felt like everyone had my back. I loved just having Kailey, Katie and my partner with no strangers intervening. It really helped me push anxious thoughts down having familiar faces in the room during a vulnerable time.

During the last parts of my birth, a hospital midwife who had to be present during the last stage (baby coming out) intervened and proceeded to touch me when I nor Kailey wanted this. This may or may not have resulted in my needing surgery post birth. It was a really scary thing to have to be told you need a spinal tap for surgery and be away from your baby. Even so, Kailey was there. She came with me as far as she could to the surgery. She walked beside my bed and she made me feel so much better after a very hard day. She even came and saw me in hospital and called the day after.

Kailey and Chloe both visited at home post birth which was so comforting. The same familiar faces understood how I felt, they knew my surgery, they knew my story and could offer guidence and also I trusted them to hold and handle my baby.

I can’t thank my lil team enough and believe my whole experience was so positive because of the team I had, lead by Kailey, but because of the MGP care model. Thank you thank you.

P.s little mention to Dr Shin for being part of my journey again, I loved having you there at the important parts and seeing you at MFAU that night was so awesome. You’re a legend!

And also to Wendy for understanding and knowing how important MGP / continuity of care was for me. A thousand, million thank yous for your help! It made a world of difference as you know.