In accord with my independent colleague, I believe
that choice and birth belong to the women and not to an establishment. I tried
for many years to facilitate this through the NHS but the constraints and fear
generated through this model of care put me in the position where I had to
leave to allow me to practice ‘woman’ centred care in the full sense..
I truly believe that you know what is best for you,
your family and your baby.
My own
birthing experiences were the most rewarding and fulfilling events in my life.
I was supported throughout, by
compassionate, woman-centred midwives with whom I found the confidence to trust
my body to gently birth my beautiful daughters. These life-changing experiences
awakened a desire to support women at this magnificent time in their lives and
eventually led me to entering midwifery training. Since then, I have had the
privilege of sharing the journey to parenthood with many couples and have
learned something new from every woman. Each woman, each couple, and each
pregnancy and birth is unique. I
recognize the need for women to birth with love and in safety, where they feel
protected and where the focus is on meeting their needs. It is this strong
commitment to providing each family with the appropriate support, trust and
respect that is underlying principle of my philosophy as an independent
midwife.
Becoming an ‘independent’ was like re-birthing as a midwife!. Through this individual and
intimate care provision I feel I am now able to meet the unique needs of women
and that I can truly give birth back to women.