Tracy Thomas, Director P.B.C

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.

Jennie Mearns, Midwife

BSC. (Hons) Dip H.E. (midw).

Registered Midwife, Hypnosis for pregnancy and childbirth practitioner.

I moved to Liverpool in 1999 to complete a degree course at Liverpool University and it was during this time that I found my passion for midwifery.  So upon completion of my degree course and a successful application to study midwifery I began my training with a desire to provide women and their families the best experience of natural childbirth possible.  I feel that the best way to achieve this is for women and their families to get to know me and vice versa and this is the reason I am passionate and proud to be part of the Private Birth Centre team and to be able to practice midwifery within philosophy I believe in. 

I am currently based at Caroline Flint’s birth centre (The Birth Centre Ltd), in London managing her Midwifery Team; I am also working alongside Denise Tiran (Expectancy) to set up a Holistic Therapy Centre to provide the women in the South of the UK the option of a more natural and complementary approach to pregnancy and childbirth.

Verena Burns, Midwife

Registered Midwife, Aromatherapy & Baby Massage Practitioner

I have always wanted to be a Midwife. I trained in Germany and qualified there in 1991. I worked in a small hospital in the Black Forrest gaining my first experience and learning much about natural aids to normal childbirth. I came to England primarily, to learn English. I started working in some smaller and some bigger Hospitals around the country and finally settled in Chester. However, with so many changes in the NHS, it is becoming increasingly difficult to practice in a caring way that is individualised and I believe every woman deserves this.

I believe that parents need support and encouragement in the first few weeks after their Baby's arrival as it is such a wonderful upheaval of life! I have seen the value of complementary therapies in Germany and would like to implement it in the care that I give. I am qualified as an Aroma therapist and continue to study other valuable complementary therapies to aid normal birthing. I am also qualified to do the Baby's first Examination after birth.
In my free time I like to be outdoors, Paragliding, canoeing and hiking.

Sarah Fitzsimmons, Midwife

Bsc (Hons) Midwifery

Registered Midwife; parental education practitioner, Hypnosis for Pregnancy and Childbirth Practitioner.

I have always enjoyed caring for people in both my personal and work life. When I completed college I knew that I wanted to pursue a caring profession where I could make a difference in people’s lives. Instinctively I was drawn to Midwifery. I rapidly fell in love with the subject, the people I cared for and the amazing capability of a woman to bring a new person into the world.

In my spare time I enjoy reading, jewellery making, caring for my pet chickens and volunteering at my local church.

 

Tammie Massey-Ford, Midwife

BSc (Hons) Psychology, Dip HE Midwifery

Registered Midwife

For as long as I can remember I have wanted to be a midwife, but it was four years ago, once I had gained a few life experiences, that I felt my time had come. I was really excited to hear about the birthing centre and was thrilled to gain a place on their preceptorship after completing my training at Nottingham University.

I share so many of the beliefs and philosophies about childbirth with the Private Birth Centre and feel privileged to be involved in a family’s life during this special time surrounding childbirth. Working at the birth centre enables me to provide holistic care for women, by using contemporary research and evidence combined with choice, support and continuity that they deserve during this extraordinary and emotional time.

I am fortunate not only to be a midwife with the birth centre, but to have also been a client, as we had a fantastic water homebirth in May 2009 when I gave birth to Sebatian Bodhi. When I am not involved in midwifery, I enjoy swimming, cooking for friends and family, mountain biking, walking our dog, generally being outdoors and more recently, pilates for pregnancy.

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.