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Stephanie's Birth Story continued...
Marijn was very helpful in
planning the birth, clarifying the different stages and what different pain
relief was available and generally guiding me in my decisions. With my first
child I didn’t have much idea, but expected to give birth in hospital with the
help of an epidural…. After having discussed the details with Marijn, I was
confident that she would support me in my decision when the day came.
As it happened, the epidural
was not an option on the day, but I trusted Marijn to do everything she could to
get me through the birth with the least pain and would respect my wishes as far
as was possible. She got me into a room with a birthing pool and although the
birth felt (and was!) painful, I was grateful for the relief of being in water.
Throughout the birth Marijn was very calming and supportive, totally in charge,
and I feel that by getting to know her through the months of pregnancy, my
midwife became a real partner in the birth, someone I could comfortable relate
to. My partner found that she was very much in charge but with a light touch and
appreciated that she involved him in the work and helped him being fully part of
the experience.
After Miles was born,
Marijn’s support was also priceless. I had to stay in hospital for 24 hours and
was very grateful for her presence and expertise when a flow of staff midwives
were pushing me to do things and confusing me with contradicting advice.
Likewise, when I got home, the follow up visits were very welcome, and as well
as checking Miles up and helping with the first bath, first nappy rash etc… she
was here too to give me intense courses in breastfeeding! She was a big part in
our success … and it didn’t look good at first!
When I was pregnant with my
second baby it was a relief to find I could be followed by Marijn again. I had
the regular visits at home and this time I was considering a home birth. I
thought that if the epidural wasn’t going to be available again, I might as well
be at home – the pain had been manageable after all! I discussed it extensively
with Marijn over a few months as it was a big decision for me, but finally felt
confident all would be well, I knew I was in good hands.
On the night, my labour
progressed quite quickly. Unfortunately, Marijn wasn’t there but another great
midwife (someone I had also met before) was standing in, and when I started
pushing, Viv arrived. I was in the pool and remember being aware of her
presence, but she was very discreet and totally unobtrusive, I went on with the
pushing. Until the baby’s shoulders got stuck. This was a very scary moment for
me, but before I had time to panic, Viv took over and told me to lean forward
and get up. She was clear and firm and her confidence reassured me and I
followed her instructions. The movement released the shoulders and Arthur was
born. She took him to the area she had prepared to check him and he was in my
arms within a few moments. I then moved to my bedroom to be checked myself while
my husband and the midwife were packing things up.
A couple of hours later, my
husband and I were cuddled up in our bed with our new baby! It was a wonderful
experience, and I’ll always have a very fond memory of Jo and Viv for being so
supportive and warm as well as efficient and professional. A human dimension is
so important: although it is a natural process, if you only deal with anonymous
doctors and midwives it could sometimes become quite a technical process. Viv
and Marijn did the baby’ first full health examination and the follow up for
both of us for a month after Arthur was born. Again dealing with people who know
you and your history well saves you from having to describe the birth endlessly
to new doctors or nurses.
So in conclusion, I have had
two wonderful experiences, and Marijn and her team are greatly responsible for
that: for sharing their expertise and being very professional, straightforward,
honest and generous. And for being so dedicated to us, they make very happy
parents and happy babies.
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