The Private Birth Centre can provide maternity care across the UK.  We are constantly looking to recruit and welcome new members to the Private Birth Centre team, across all regions, so please feel free to call us from wherever you are based.

Director and Head of Midwifery:

Tracy Thomas

Dip H.E. (Midw), R.M. BA. (Hons).

Head of Midwifery & Consultant Midwifery Advisor for Future Health

And so dreams really do come true...

To facilitate such an amazing service is a dream of mine which I have had for many years. Like you, the women, I experience disappointment, frustration, and disbelief every time I walk through the hospital door.

I am sorry to say that it isn't getting any better, in fact it could be argued that it is getting worse in many units. I receive phone calls and Emails most days from women sharing stories which are beyond belief. Women in contemporary society are feeling unsupported, let down, cheated, upset..the list goes on. Why? Because they "dare" to ask a question about their body or baby, or may resist a hospital policy because the risks out way the benefits for them on a personal level.

The problem largely is because many hospitals are functioning with staff shortages, or lack in resources. There are some fantastic midwives out there, many my close friends, trying their best with the limited time they have with women, they meet only for the first time when they are in labour.

This isn't good enough for me, that certainly isn't good enough for you, your baby, your family. When my phone rings at 3 am, I know who it is at the end, a special person who I have met over the last 9 months, someone whom I have grown to like, respect and value. I know everything about them. I am excited to be getting out of my bed to be with that family, at one of the most exciting times in their lives. There's nothing quite like seeing that family all together, mum breast feeding her baby in the pool, while dad and big brother look on.

The hardest part of my job is saying goodbye when the baby is 6 weeks old. But if I am honest, I usually don't! When I am in the area I still pop in for a cup of tea and a chat and receive letters and photos of baby's every milestone. I now have the pleasure of being with the families to see brothers and sisters born. It doesn't get any better than that for me. I am practising midwifery to its fullest extent. I absolutely love my job.

 

At the Private Birth Centre we are committed to ongoing professional development and education. As part of this commitment we run a preceptorship programme for newly qualified midwives who join the team. We also offer elective placements for senior student midwives to enable them to experience a different way of practising midwifery.