Lucy and Adam with 18 week-old Maisie
Lucy: "There was no way I was going to have my baby in hospital. I wanted a home birth right from the start. The midwives were lovely - they really took care of me, before during and after the birth. Even though the shift ended at 5pm, Sue stayed to deliver Maisie at 10.35pm, and didn't leave until 2am the next morning. She was fantastic!"
Adam: "Maisie was born in a water pool at home. It was amazing. She is a very calm baby - and really loves her baths! The experience must have had an effect on her. The aftercare was great too. The midwife gave Lucy a bath and made sure that we were all OK before leaving us.
I can't stop smiling - it was the best experience in the world."
Dawn with her daughters (Lolita & Paquita)
"My first daughter was born in hospital - not St. Helier - and it was such a traumatic experience that I still feel nervous when I walk into a hospital. Without going in to too much detail, I felt neglected and then treated without compassion or respect in a cold and frightening environment.
I wanted a home birth for my second child and I can't praise enough the care and attention of the midwives who came to my house. Having a child at home means that you get to choose exactly how you want to have your baby in the comfort and cleanliness of familiar surroundings. You aren't strapped to machines on an uncomfortable bed with stirrups! And no - there isn't any mess to clear up afterwards. You are given a large bag full of supplies, including soak-up mats, and the midwives take everything away at the end to be disposed of at the hospital.
The whole experience was fantastic - I was on cloud nine for weeks afterwards!"
More testimonials
These are just some of the comments new mums and families have made following their homebirth experience:
Thank you for coming out to the birth of Amelia. I couldn't have done that last bit without you. You guys are amazing and I thank you for making it possible to have the home birth I always wanted. Love Ruth, Rich and Amelia
We know you're just doing your job, but you're fantastic at it. We just wanted to thank you for making the whole experience so calm and relaxed. Thanks again, Daniel, Gina and Isla xxx
Thank you so much for delivering our precious bundle safely to us and giving us the special homebirth we dreamed of. It was absolutely perfect and a time we will cherish forever. With love from Sarah, Bruce and Jack x
Thank you very much for letting me experience such a wonderful home (+ water) birth earlier this year. I still remember it well and been recommending it to everyone! Love Akiko, Richard, Akira and Kai
Thank you for the wonderful care that Nathan and I have received over the last couple of weeks - we don't think we could have had better care anywhere! It certainly made me reaffirm all the reasons I wanted him to be born at home - everything has been so personal and has involved the whole family. Thank you, best wishes, Bev and Nathan!
Thanks for your wonderful care and support before, during and after the birth. I feel truly blessed to have had such a positive experience. Kendra xx
I am so glad we chose a home birth, we felt in such safe hands all the way through. Neil thought it was wonderful - despite his initial reservations - he's a true convert! THANK YOU!! Lots of love, Lucy, Neil, George, Tom, Eve and Cecilia xxxxxx
Thank you for looking after Mummy, Thomas x
Thank you so much for all your care and support throughout my pregnancy and labour. We were thrilled to have the home birth we had hoped for, With love Catherine and Jim
It's hard to express in words how grateful we are for your support, understanding, patience and time in allowing us to bring Toby into the world as close to the way we wanted as possible. There is no doubt in our minds that it would have been the fantastic experience it was without your involvement. We will always look back on the 17th February with profound happiness that our wishes were respected and protected every step of the way. Thank you so much for being so fabulous!! Love Tim, Jodie and Toby
I wanted to thank you firstly for listening to what I wanted for Isla's birth. You didn't just fob me off with "hospital policy" but you went out of your way to look into what the recommendations were and you gave me a choice. You allowed us to experience the most amazing birth of our daughter that we wouldn't change in any way.
I believe that experience will make us stronger as parents and brought us even closer as a couple. Without wanting to sound too sentimental I feel that my birth experience with Isla has empowered me as a woman and strengthens my trust in the innate intelligence of the human body when it is left to its own instincts. For making all that possible I thank you! Much love Clare, Toby, Lucy, Austen and Isla x
