Chris writes: My partner was positive she wanted a home birth. I was sceptical, as surely hospital was the best place to have a breech baby. However, after discussions with Jane, it became apparent that this was not necessarily the case, and a decision was taken to proceed as my partner had desired.

Jane offering Bethany her first feed

And what a great decision this proved to be. Jane was on hand 24/7 to answer any questions, willing to move at a moments notice (which proved handy as the labour was only 40 minutes long and Jane was a 30 minute drive away), totally devoted to helping us achieve our ambitions and not phased by anything. Her ability to cope with everything was a wonder to behold (all the way through til 3 in the morning), and all I can say is if we do have another one Jane will definitely be receiving a phone call from one of us.

Chris' partner Jane writes: What more can I possibly add to the above………..

This was my 3rd pregnancy; the 1st two girls were both premature and born in hospital. Both births had their own issues and given these I thought a home birth this time was just a dream of mine…….

I contacted Jane around 34 wks to discuss my options for birth as my baby was breech and I was very keen to have a natural birth and to have minimal separation from my baby this time around. It was my 2nd breech and I wanted to avoid the negativity and opposition that I experienced during my last pregnancy, and I was aware that even though I had a vaginal birth with Isabella it was not “given” that I would be as lucky again within the hospital environment.

I knew after our 1st meeting that Jane was going to be the one that would help me achieve my wishes. After lengthy discussions with my partner and Jane we agreed that if this pregnancy reached 36 wks Jane would be happy to support me in a home birth. I remember feeling like a weight had been lifted when 36 wks arrived, and a home birth was planned.

The hardest part of labour was waiting for Jane to arrive, it was like a wave of calm for both my partner and I as Jane walked through the door. Bethany arrived shortly afterwards, it was just magical; Jane gave me the confidence to trust my body and baby.
Having Jane on hand in the weeks after birth was invaluable, and being able to share my delight about the birth with Jane during this time was very special.

I feel very proud of my daughter’s “birth” day, it was a truly amazing.

 Chris, Jane and baby Bethany • 2010

I had an unexpected and fantastic home birth with my second baby. This is something I didn't think I would ever experience because I have type 1 diabetes. I decided to have an independent midwife for my 3rd baby because I hoped for another home birth but in reality I didn't know where I would give birth this time. I had lots of interventions in hospital with my 1st baby and knew I needed a strong and knowledgeable advocate with me if I were to give birth in the hospital. I felt fairly confident I would be able to birth at home, but this depended on my diabetic control throughout pregnancy and even more so in the last weeks.

Em and baby Hetty 2009

I contacted Jane after a recommendation, and after meeting her my husband and I felt confident that she would give me well balanced information and support.

Later on in my pregnancy I had some hospital appointments that I felt happy to attend. Jane came with me to these and I valued her support. We were able to discuss 'risks' and plans with my consultants. Jane also made various phone calls for second opinions and for more information to base decisions on. Between myself, my husband and Jane I felt we were able to make our decisions and plans about the birth with up to date information. I found it invaluable to meet with Jane monthly and to know she was reachable by phone or email between meetings.

On the Monday Jane came over to do a belly cast. I'm really pleased I did one, it wasn't something I'd thought about, but I really quite like having it. My children enjoyed smoothing the plaster over my tummy too. On that Friday I began labour at home at 37 weeks... At least a week before I was expecting it! I phoned Jane to let her know I thought labour had started and she popped round at breakfast to see where I was at and told me to call again when I needed her. By midday I felt I needed woman around me so I called my mum and Jane.

I felt more uncomfortable during this labour than I did with my previous one which surprised me. Jane suggested I get in the bath which was a wonderful idea and really helped. I got out when we ran out of hot water! Jane arranged cushions and made comfortable spaces for me. She prompted me to check my blood glucose levels regularly throughout my labour - we were all pleased to see they remained nice and low which was important for my baby. Any checking of my baby's heart beat was quick and unobtrusive - I didn't have to change position while Jane did this. A second midwife arrived late in the day and it kind of added to the excitement and anticipation.

Finally after being in various positions with pillows and stools Jane suggested it was time to have a dance! Well, I opted for a walk around the bedrooms instead... After a few more contractions I felt immense pressure in my tummy, then with a loud pop my waters broke on the landing in an awkward space. What a relief! and Jane managed to catch every drop on a mat! Up until then my baby's head wasn't engaged... well it did now! my body started pushing at this point, I dropped onto my knees with my arms around my husbands neck. I wanted to know if my scar was ok and jane reassured me it was fine, so I felt I could just go with it and birth my baby. A few more involuntary pushes and out she came - a fantastic feeling! Wow! There she was, Jane slipped her through my legs so I could see her and pick her up.

I love to see the photo above of me holding Hetty just after she was born, and Jane is there smiling in the background. Jane was vital for me and this birth, she knows how and where a midwife should be - I could feel her presence reassuring me throughout my labour and birth, and not once did I feel secondary in this experience. Jane continued to be in close contact during the days after Hetty was born and her visits continued for a few weeks, I felt quite sad once her visits stopped.

If I were to have another baby Jane should expect a phone call from me!

Em and baby Hetty • 2009

How can I ever thank you enough for what you did for me….. boy, am I glad I found you, you were perfect for me and what I needed; someone calm, highly skilled, controlled and trustworthy. You instilled confidence in me for something I had never done before and wasn’t sure I could even do. You gave me choice and control over the most important

baby Matilda 2011

thing in my life, the birth of my child and our safety. There was never a moment where I felt panicky or unsafe, in many ways you were the most important person to me at that time. I was able to connect with my baby and labour in my own natural way without the fear of anyone stepping in and taking over, free to be in the moment taking it one step at a time without any other stuff entering my space.

The results were beyond what I could have ever imagined. I will never forget the care you gave me and how you were part of the start of my beautiful daughters’ journey.

 Jo and baby Matilda • 2011

We decided late on in our second pregnancy to ask Jane to be our midwife as we really wanted someone who shared our ideas on what birth "should" be like. We couldn't have been happier with our decision as she was really tuned in and helpful the whole time.
We'd hoped to have our baby at home, however, baby was happy hanging on and on, and after

Stanley helping out at the antenatal check!

my waters went at 14 days past my due date and still no proper labour at day 16, I chose to have a c-section. I’d had an emergency caesarean with my first child, Stanley, and didn’t want to be induced. I felt I was able to carry on waiting after 14 days as Jane was realistic about the risks and remained positive at all times. Our little girl Ruby was born happy and healthy and Jane fully supported us for weeks afterwards. Jane is a fantastic midwife and has become a friend too. She has a way about her that makes you feel at ease at all times. .

 Karen Hughes • 2010

We chose to have care from Jane because we wanted a midwife who would help us to have the birth experience we wanted, rather than making us part of a medicalised process.

I had experienced complications midway through my pregnancy, and it had been rather a sad and anxious time. I had been expecting twins, but lost one of the babies through twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome. I had spent a lot of time going for additional scans and hospital appointments, but as the pregnancy progressed perfectly normally, I began to feel strongly that I wanted to give birth at home if at all possible.

Belly casting in progress

The NHS wasn’t able to support us in having a homebirth, but Jane made it possible for us to stay at home and have a wonderful normal delivery, using the pool during the pushing stage, and homeopathic remedies given by my mum. I was so happy to be able to crawl into my own bed with my partner and baby Fred to start our new life together at home! I felt Jane really ‘held her nerve’ in keeping us safely at home, despite Fred having passed meconium and me having quite a long pushing stage (he turned out to have the cord wrapped twice round his body).

I felt completely safe with Jane because she achieved just the right balance of careful attention, and trust in the natural process. She did not interfere by constantly examining me to see how I was progressing, but she monitored Fred’s heart rate often without intruding. This was fantastic as I discovered that in labour I mostly wanted to be left alone by everyone!

Jane was sensitive to our need to acknowledge the twin baby we had lost. I had been fearful of losing control over this aspect of the birth, but we were able to plan it together, and when it happened it all felt very natural. I am so lucky to have had an amazing experience: I know it could have ended up very differently without Jane.

  Kate and baby Fred • 2010