Testimonials

Amanda & David

I first met Denise when I was 29 weeks pregnant.  I had no idea until a friend enlightened me that independent midwives existed and after a traumatic experience with my first daughter I thought that having continued support with this pregnancy and birth would be ideal.  I never entertained the idea of a home birth - it just 'wasn't me' I wanted a hospital birth but with additional support.

Denise immediately put me at ease.  We discussed all my previous issues: long labour, retained placenta etc and she explained why those things may have happened, most importantly she gave me the confidence that it should not happen again!

Amanda David and family
Amanda and David, the lovely Isabella, and baby Olivia, born at home, December 17th 2007

As the weeks went by and the more I talked to Denise the idea of a home birth became more interesting.  We eventually decided to try and have our baby at home on the premise that if I really needed to we could always go to hospital for extra pain relief!

There were a few concerns that I was measuring small for my dates (as with my first child) but Denise did not want to take any chances and immediately arranged for me to have a scan with Mr Shehata, everything was fine and he confirmed that he was happy for me to have a home birth.

My mother, friends and family thought I was crazy but the confidence that Denise and Kim gave us overcame all of that.  In the weeks leading up to the birth Denise was fantastic, always at the end of the phone (or text - which was frequent) if I needed her or Kim.  Even when Denise went to a big party in Brighton she was texting me during the evening to make sure I was ok!!

When I went into labour Denise came over immediately and was a fantastic support, she encouraged me all the way even when I was begging to go to hospital.  I was lucky in that my labour was only 2 hrs and Olivia came so quickly that we nearly had an unexpected water birth!  There was not enough time for Kim to come over and Denise delivered Olivia perfectly, I didn't tear or have any complications this time at all.  Within an hour we were all having champagne!  I am sure that my quick labour was due to the support that I was given by both Denise and Kim and the confidence that I could do it!  It is fantastic that they also have the back up support from Mr Shehata.

Baby Olivia Olivia and Isabella
Baby Olivia and sister Isabella

After I had given birth Denise came over every day to make sure we were ok and Kim did Olivia's first check.  These two ladies are amazing; nothing is ever too much trouble - even at 3am! I am not a typical candidate for a home birth but I am incredibly proud that I did have Olivia at home, I was more relaxed and Olivia is such a calm baby.  If you are considering an independent midwife then I don't think you could have better care from anyone else.  I regard Denise and Kim as good friends and hope that we will keep in touch for years to come.