Birth Story 20

Our Story

I fell pregnant during the first pandemic, April 2020. I knew I wanted a home birth, and with everything looking so uncertain regarding NHS home births, a private midwife seemed like the sensible choice. I also was keen to know my midwife, and more importantly for them to get to know me, and wanted my birth to be very personal and intimate. NHS midwives work in teams so there was a chance I may have never met the woman birthing my child before labour, which I wasn’t keen on.

After meeting Leonie I knew instantly that I wanted her to be part of my experience and bring my baby into the world. She was personable, caring, loving, super professional and obviously very experienced without being overly clinical. She cares so much about a woman centred approach to birth, giving me all the info I needed to make informed decisions.

When my labour started she was always on the end of the phone. When my waters broke and I had meconium in them, Leonie came over right away to assess. Sadly, it meant I had to go to hospital and as it was at the height of the second wave, she wasn’t able to come with me. Even though she wasn’t there physically, she was very much there in spirit and I felt 100 times more confident armed with the info she gave me and knowing she was a phone call away. It was REALLY helpful being able to talk to her the day after the birth, telling me what Dr’s should be doing, what I could ask for (get that catheter out of me please) and what I could expect. I am thankful for her every day, and can’t wait to use her again in the future.