The Jeffries Family – Julie, Ron & baby Joyella (born 10/7/09)
Sept 08 (pre-pregnancy) - The only previous birth experience I had was of a close family member and it was extremely traumatic. This had left me in fear of what happens in the NHS system and dreading the prospect of going through a similar experience myself. I therefore knew, even before becoming pregnant that I needed extra support giving birth.
As with any similar situation I researched extensively on the internet. It became apparent that there aren’t many private facilities (except in London) and that is only for hospital births. It really seemed that everyone generally seems to put up with the treatment through the NHS and generally people do not expect having a choice about the level of care received. There was a glimmer of hope though when I saw the web site for the Private Birth Centre. After reading the website and sending off for a brochure it was like a breath of fresh air as the philosopy sounded just what we were looking for.
Oct 08 – I had an operation to remove endometriosis and then shortly after discovered that it had obviously done the trick as I was now pregnant!! Yippee
Feb 09 - We contacted the Private Birth Centre and had an initial meeting with one of the midwives. Ron and I were really impressed with everything we heard and I just wanted to give the midwife a big hug as it was such a relief to hear that support of this kind was available to us. We decided to book in from about 30 weeks and aim for a natural home water birth.
May 09 – Tracy was our main midwife with Verena as support. Everything was going really well with my pregnancy, in fact I felt better than I had done in years (as my pelvic pain had disappeared). We put things in place to help with my fear of birth, through both counselling, birth preparation classes and hypnotherapy. These really helped to turn around my perceptions into a much more positive one. Ron and I had also attended the NHS labour antenatal classes, where we watched a dreadful 70s era video showing a birth where everything went wrong and the lady ended up with an epidural, forceps and strapped to the bed with monitoring equipment – great! Just what we needed to see…. In contrast, Tracy did our birth preparation class at the Centre and it was amazing how much more information we gained from it. Tracy explained the process in detail and what is aimed for in a normal natural birth. We both came out of the session with smiles on our faces – in fact Ron was even fairly confident that if needed he would be able to support me giving birth!! It was great to feel much more informed and both our minds were put at rest. Our hypnotherapy sessions with Sarah were also great and helped us remain calm and positive. We listened to the CD on a regular basis and really gained a lot from it to help keep calm in those last few weeks of pregnancy.
June 09 – Oh no!! It felt like our world had shattered – our baby was in a breech position and didn’t appear to want to move. We tried everything...and I mean everything… from yoga positions, light therapy, swimming, moxibustion, ginger on toes, homeopathy, etc. etc. The baby was happy where she was and was not going to move. After lots of discussion with Tracy we decided to discuss with the consultant about having an ECV and still going ahead with natural labour. I read a book by Meana Beans about Breech Birth (that I can highly recommend) and also scared myself looking up the topic on the internet. Our appointment with the consultant was disappointing as he sided towards having a C-section and highlighted all the potential risks. We spent a lot of time after this meeting thinking about what route to take and Tracy really helped us make an informed decision. Eventually we decided to have an elective caesarean, although had it not been my first pregnancy with a background of fear of labour I would have tried going into natural labour first as we had no fears that I would be looked after 100% with the Birth Centre.
We did try having an ECV in a final attempt to turn our baby. Sarah came with us to this appointment to use hypnotherapy during the procedure. Sarah was a tremendous support and helped us remain calm through the ECV – it was amazing what a difference Sarah’s use of hypnotherapy made to us. Unfortunately the ECV didn’t work – but at least we felt we had tried every avenue.
By 39 weeks our baby was still breech so we decided to go ahead with the C-section. Tracy came with us for support at the hospital and explained things to us when we weren’t sure what was happening. It was funny to see Tracy and Ron dressed in the green gowns in the operating theatre and they were both trying to cheer me up and take my mind off what was happening. The operation didn’t take long and was surprisingly a really calm environment. After a few scary moments where there didn’t appear to be any noise – Joyella arrived safe and sound. Ron was able to cut the cord and also held Joyella in theatre as I didn’t feel able to in the environment as it only felt like my neck / chest area was exposed. We were soon transferred into the recovery suite and Tracy quickly stepped in to help with me breastfeeding. I had been worried about this as thought it may be difficult after having a C-section. Tracy stayed with us and showed us so much support and patience to help with getting the breastfeeding started.
We were then transferred back to the ward to recover and get to know Joyella. The hospital was good but they were short staffed and unable to spend much time with us. Over the next couple of days Tracy was an amazing support. In addition to getting my breast feeding established Tracy also helped and supported me in so many ways. Tracy came to help me first thing in the morning the day after, helped me out of bed and gave me a bath. It made such a difference to be cared for in this way and it was like having a true friend with me. I had lots of questions about how best to care for Joyella and Tracy was there to support me and built up my confidence in those early days.
On day 3 we left hospital as Ron and I felt we would be able to look after each other better in our home environment. It was painful getting out of hospital as I was still struggling to walk, but we both felt ecstatic to get out. During the first week Tracy came to visit daily to make sure that we were doing OK and to help us with the breast feeding and anything else we needed. For a further 6 weeks Tracy, Verena or Sarah visited and helped us out with any of our concerns or questions.
We also decided to have doula support for the first few weeks at home. Lynne was our doula and was an absolutely amazing help in so many ways. It made a world of difference for Lynne to be able to look after Joyella for a couple of hours while I caught up on some much needed sleep. Lynne also helped me get more confident with breastfeeding and generally being a mum. She also kept the house beautifully clean and tidy which was such a treat and great help at this time when we were just finding our feet. When I started to feel a little stronger it was great to have the support and friendship from Lynne to venture out for a walk and coffee down in the nearby village. Help at this early stage really helped us enjoy these first few weeks of being parents and treasure this special time.... and Joyella was happy that we were happy too.
Even after ‘signing off’ from our care under the centre they have been fantastic support and genuinely care for the well-being of our family. When Ron was ill in hospital Tracy was at the other end of the phone to offer support, and Lynne kindly offered to look after Joyella whilst I was visiting Ron.
The Private Birth Centre has helped us in so many ways and we feel like they are part of our family. We know that anyone using the Centre would be looked after in safe, trustworthy and caring hands from start to finish. We have been telling everyone at any opportunity how great the Centre is and would 100% recommend for others to use their services.
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Sara & Baby Max:
I was 6 months pregnant with my second son, when I found out about natural and active birth from a parenting magazine. I was completely unaware of the existence of this kind of care for women giving birth. Through quick research online, I found out about the Private Birth Centre. I was amazed! From the moment I knew I was expecting again, I was determined that this time everything would be different and the Birth Centre was exactly what I was looking for.
My first son was born in an NHS hospital. I realized that the midwives have the best intention to offer a good service; however problems such as to pre-established protocols, a shortage of staff and financial restrictions, amongst other things, prevent them from providing the best quality service to mothers and their new born. In the end, everything turned out fine, but I wasn’t happy with the experience at all. The breastfeeding was hell and the support that I needed just wasn’t there. I only just managed to do it.
When I first visited the Private Birth Centre, I had so many questions. I wanted to know what really happens during labour. I wanted to know what had gone wrong in the past and what could be improved on this time. I also explained about my determination to breast feed and enquired about the kind of support I would have. My midwives were Tracy Thomas and Tammie. I was very satisfied with their honesty, clarity and kindness. Tracy even managed to talk round my skeptical husband, who wasn’t really convinced by the whole idea.
I felt that due to good prenatal assistance, I was totally prepared and confident to give birth again. My son Max was born at the Birth Centre and his delivery was just perfect! During the labour, I was always listened to patiently and guided with kindness and respect. I was in control of my body and mind. That was what I wanted. Max was born so alert and calm. Afterwards, I felt so happy and energetic and started nursing straight away, looking forward do going back home to look after my two sons. I had the best support I could ever have to get started breastfeeding.
Giving birth to my second baby was an amazing and fulfilling experience! Max is the most chilled-out and smiley baby! I’m so proud of myself and sure that he had the best start in life. I wish every mother and every baby could have the same treatment.-----------------------------------------------
Emers Story:
I went to the Private Birth Centre in March 2009 two months pregnant with my second son. I was looking for an alternative to the NHS and a friend who lived in the area had mentioned the Birth Centre. I had an emergency C-Section with my first son after a very long and traumatic labour which had left me very fearful the second time around. I also had a very strong desire to have a natural labour.
The Private Birth Centre assigned me a midwife called Verena. She spent time working through my worries and fears left by the first birth and also set about a plan to try and achieve my hope of a natural labour. She also thoroughly looked through my notes from the first birth which helped to see if there were any complications concerning a natural labour (which, thankfully there were not).
My antenatal appointments were always thorough and there was plenty of time to talk through any fears I had. Verena gained our trust which I believe paid a very big part in having my baby at home with no complications and in a very relaxed atmosphere (the complete opposite of the first birth). A home birth was not something that would have entered my head before visiting the Birth Centre. Having one Midwife throughout the entire pregnancy and labour and also the time she invested in me as an individual was fantastic. I believe this care was beyond anything I would have found elsewhere.
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Kathryn’s story:
Even before I was pregnant for the 6th time, I did a lot of research on the internet about independent midwives.
I had felt very let down with the care that I had received at my previous birth. I only saw a midwife once every 2 months through most of my pregnancy and even towards the end only once a fortnight. The actual birth in the hospital was fine except they insisted that I had a cannula which I did not need- just in case I started bleeding. They would not take it out until the next day and I had pain in my hand for the next month from a swollen vein. After the birth the midwife rushed away. She left me in clothes that were wet and dirty as my daughter had wee’d and poo’d at delivery, and we just had a single sheet to keep us covered. The after care at home had been almost none existent. The day after I arrived home, I was told that my tummy was not going down as expected but no-one ever checked it again and my 6 week check was with a practice nurse who only did my BP and my weight and then worked out my BMI!
I wanted this pregnancy and birth to be special. My sixth baby was due on my 40th birthday and I did not want to be treated like a geriatric. I am so pleased that I found the Private Birth Centre. I went to have a look around at 6 weeks. It had just opened and they had had their first birth the night before. I was booked in at home at 9 weeks. My midwife Verena was lovely. She came to see me every month, then fortnightly and weekly towards the end. I paid to have private scans as I wanted to be totally out of the NHS. The scans were in depth and much more personal than my last one, when I had to wait at my local hospital along side a man in his bed with a nasty cough and a lady with a broken arm. They took there time and did extra screening.
I looked forward to Verena’s visits. I heard the baby’s heartbeat much earlier than I would have done with a local midwife. I was very uncomfortable at times with this pregnancy but this was baby number 6 and everything had stretched. We used Aromatherapy to combat varicose veins with excellent effect and there was always time to talk through my concerns. As my pregnancy continued our 2 year old was diagnosed as autistic and Verena was also understanding of her special needs. She introduced an assistant, who was also going to be here for the birth, so there were going to be no strangers around.
My 40th birthday came and went. Three days later I started to get irregular contractions. I walked 1½ miles to toddlers group but still they were not regular at all. By that evening I was still having mild irregular contractions. As they got stronger I decided to call the midwife, knowing that she was an hour away. When Verena got here the contractions were still short but sharp. I knew that I needed a good walk. My daughter had severe sleeping problems and was still wide awake. So at 1.00am I went for a walk to the beach, pushing my daughter in the buggy with my husband, Verena and her assistant. As we stood on the prom we saw a police car on blue lights speeding from 3 miles away, along the coast. It then stopped and looked at us and drove off!
My contractions became much stronger on the way home. My labour lasted 1 hour and 40 mins. Gethin was born in the birthing pool, upstairs at home. There was no interference from Verena. She did check the baby’s heartbeat under water but there were no internal exams and no one telling me to push. It was all very natural with aroma candles and music. Gethin weighed 10 ½ pounds and came out so easily in the water. The other children soon came in to see their new brother. After 40 mins I pushed the placenta out myself. I did bleed a little later and Verena gave me an injection, straight into my leg. It slowed the bleeding and confirmed to me that there is no need for painful canulations.
My after care was wonderful. Verena came several times the first week and then weekly until Gethin was 6 weeks old. I really missed her when she stopped coming but we are still friends. The whole experience was very positive and I am very proud to have such a lovely family.
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Hugh’s Arrival:
I guess my birth story would have to start at around the 39th week of pregnancy. It was at that point, after much tossing and turning that my baby decided to settle himself into the breech position. Of course at the time we knew he could turn, but we started to think about a breech birth and its implications.
I had never considered having this baby anywhere but home – to me that’s where a baby should be born, with hospitals only for emergency cases, where there is a medical need. A breech baby didn’t fall into these categories for me. Verena, who I can’t praise enough, was in support. If it came to it, we would go for a breech homebirth… We could do it…
On Monday 24th November Verena called for an antenatal check. I was 40+5. Along with the usual routine stuff she was updating me about a meeting she had had with the Supervisor of Midwives at our local hospital. It seems that breech homebirths are not the norm and procedures were to be followed to ensure I was aware of all my options and the risks associated with each.
These options, as put to Verena by the hospital were - caesarean section, hospital birth and homebirth.
I have to say that I wasn’t overly concerned about a breech delivery. Having birthed two children I felt quite confident and I had absolute faith in Verena. I saw no reason why with a healthy mother and baby it couldn’t be possible and so was quite positive about it all.
One concern however was that my baby had been hiding his feet for a few weeks. We knew that feet-first was less than ideal and that is posed more risks of complications. Yet again Verena’s examination of my stomach was inconclusive. She couldn’t feel his feet. He might be sat on them or have them pointing to my back. Either way his bum was firmly in the pelvis – more settled than the week before for sure. Breech looked likely for birth.
Verena, Sarah (second midwife), Jerry and I talked for a while. We discussed the possibility of feet coming first, one slipping through the cervix too early, my waters breaking prematurely etc. etc. As a result we decided that an internal examination would be beneficial at the onset of labour, to see what was coming first. We talked about the hands off approach to breech delivery being essential and the extra challenges that this sort of childbirth might present. In short we were discussing the risks and potential problems, but not focusing on ‘what ifs’. I was healthy, my baby was healthy. What if nature knew what she was doing?
The outcome was, to no-ones surprise that I would be continuing with my homebirth plans. In any case he could still turn; I had days to go…
I woke more than usual during the early hours of 25th November. I was so uncomfortable and felt a need to walk around as a result. Labour never crossed my tired mind until just before 6:00 am when a pain made me get up and not want to go back to bed. Not a though familiar to me at this point in my life I have to say.
I woke Jerry and told him I was in labour. He started tidying and timing contractions. We called Verena just after 6:30 am with contractions 8-10 minutes apart. They were quite sore and of course we wanted her to be aware of what was happening. She said to call again in an hour. I called her again in 40 minutes. They were 2-4 minutes apart and hurting. She was on her way.
In the meantime the children were up, fed, watered and on their way to my parents house. I could concentrate on birth…
Verena arrived at just after 7:30 am and had a feel of my stomach. He was “definitely breech.” An internal and she reported that she couldn’t find my cervix!?!? “You must be fully dilated” she said. “What’s coming first?” I asked, “I feel feet and toes” was her response. I wasn’t concerned. I was 10 cm. He could fit through!
Verena contacted Sarah and her boss Tracey who was to be at the birth too due to her having more experience of breech birth. They set off.
During antenatal appointments Verena, Sarah and I had talked about the added challenge of a breech delivery, as the baby had to have fully descended through the pelvis prior to pushing. Verena had stressed how important it was that I breathed through contractions until she could spot the baby en route. I must say it was hard work. For almost an hour and a half I was breathing through very intense contractions. I knew that I would feel increasing pressure to my rear (!) and that this was good. I shouldn’t push… not yet…
During this time text messages flew back and forth between midwives. Tracey offered Verena NHS back-up. She deemed it unnecessary. We were ok and they could spoil things (her words, but my thoughts). I now know that Sarah and Tracey were cursing the fact that midwives are not equipped with blue flashing lights and sirens when on their way to breech births(!)
At about 8:40 am the pressure I was feeling was almost overwhelming. I had been keeping Verena updated as to its intensity, but I imagine my face told the story better than I could. The optimal position for birth would be on my knees and so I knelt down on duvets in front of the couch with my head resting above on pillows. Verena and Jerry were behind me – him with a torch and her with a mirror. I recall thinking it was like some sort of comedy sketch going on, but of course I wasn’t laughing. Verena reiterated that I should breathe deeply through the contractions, but not push. The urge was overwhelming with each contraction, but I had to wait. He had to be fully through…
Several contractions later and he was spotted. A foot was coming. I could push, only gently, but push a little. I did. Jerry got the camera out as the excitement behind me intensified. A few more pushing efforts saw his left leg descend out causing my waters to break, then his right leg. No doubt sensing the excitement, little Hugh paused to do a wee at this point! The next contraction saw one arm and his stomach make its arrival and at 9:05 am, with the strongest of contractions and a big push the whole of baby Hugh was born… He was immediately passed through my legs where I scooped him up for our first cuddle!
We settled down for a drink, whilst we waited for the placenta, more midwives and Houdini dog Boris to return. All of these happened pretty much at once about half an hour later.
And so that was that – a wonderful, calm and gentle birth… Hindsight tells me that it was pretty wonderful and his first week has left me in no doubt that such a special little boy deserved to make a special entrance and that’s what he did…feet first and all!!!