Jonathan's story
It’s unfortunate that as a partner, you don’t often get the chance to tell your side of the birth story. Understandably, the woman’s experience is paramount but for me the birth was certainly the most extraordinary experience of my life, intense, emotional, difficult, exhilarating, beautiful and life-affirming. And it is usually those positive adjectives that cut short my story when I tell it to other people. They smile wryly and interrupt to ask if Marianne found it so positive. I feel chastened and shut up. But perhaps the partner’s story is valid also.
Hana's story
Two
weeks overdue, a little bit desperate and anxious to meet our baby, we decided,
on Tuesday (Jan 8th), to go to an IMAX cinema to see an evening show
of a 3D movie called "Beowulf". I had a sort of idea that, eventually, sound and
visual effects of the 3D cinema can help to explain to my baby, it’s time to
leave the quiet place of my womb. Perhaps, it had worked. We left the cinema
earlier, after about 45 min, because noise agitated my baby, who started to move
frantically. Never mind. The movie wasn’t great after all.
Beate's story
My due date was September the 13th, a Thursday- the evening before
should have been pregnancy Yoga at the Angel. I had some contactions during the
day which were not Braxton Hicks, I was picturing more contractions on the
Northern Line and decided not to go.
Instead we opted for a local curry place, the old traditional curry method!
Stephanie’s story
When I fell pregnant with my first child I found out that I would benefit from the Midwife in the Community (one-to-one) Scheme. I liked the idea of a personal service and felt very lucky when I had my first appointment with Marijn. It was a great start to the adventure and made me feel confident about the future. Throughout the pregnancy I had regular visits during which all examinations and necessary tests were performed, always accompanied with full and extensive information. Marijn had the time and presence to explain things and was always available on the phone if I needed more details (I used to come up with questions after the appointments!)
Paul's story
Our little
baby girl Sofia was born in mighty quick time - actually on the bathroom floor
in the early morning of 22nd June, before our midwives could be in attendance.
We later realised that it was my wife Helen who had delivered her own baby
herself !