Walking With You Private Midwife

This is something I feel is extremely important to discuss with new parents. I certainly co-slept with my children as babies - it was the best way for us all to get sleep and the easiest way to breastfeed. Every healthcare professional should be sharing this sensible information.

So very glad to know that Brighton Sling Babies is back!

*** WE'RE BACK! ***

We are SO excited to share that, after a longer than intended hiatus, Brighton Sling Babies are BACK!
Thanks to the generous folk at Blue Lagoon Warm Water Centres we have a wonderful new venue, and will be meeting on the THIRD Friday of the month to support you with all your baby carrying needs!
Tickets are FREE but booking is essential, see our Eventbrite link for details.

I will be attending this event (if I’m not at a homebirth!!). If you are interested in homebirth, please grab a ticket for the film and then do come along to this free after film event.

Born at Home - after film event, Brighton Come join us for a cosy evening of connection and film discussion after watching the Born at Home documentary film in Brighton.

I am both astonished and humbled to hear that I have been shortlisted as Midwife of the Year by the Mariposa Trust During my career I have worked with many people facing the reality of baby loss, in a wide range of circumstances. Walking alongside them as they make heartbreaking decisions, and then being one of very few people ever to meet their precious child, is an incredible privilege and responsibility. I remember those little lives. Each one has affected my life in their own unique way.

If you are facing uncertainty about your baby’s growth or development in pregnancy, please know that I’m here. I have a specialist background working with those facing unexpected news in pregnancy. Sometimes a single conversation can really help clarify your thoughts. Sometimes you need a midwife who will be there for you through your journey (whatever that journey ends up being). My website offers more information about my specialist work. It is always ok to reach out. First consultation is always free. If ongoing care is appropriate I try to offer reduced rates in cases of financial need.

If your pregnancy is labelled as “high risk” what does that mean? Does that mean you can’t have continuity of care with a private midwife? Personally I think that when things get complicated then continuity of care is more important than ever. Read more in my blog today Link in comments.

Lots of people ask me about the difference in qualifications between private and NHS midwives. I’ve just published a blog post explaining a bit about this. Spoiler alert - we all have the same basic qualification!

Read more here:

Midwifery in the UK - Walking With You Midwifery in the UK is very different to midwifery in Malawi, and to midwifery in many other countries. For those who have grown up in the UK with the NHS, there is a general acceptance that healthcare is freely available, and an acceptance that the system is under a great deal of pressure and there...

A question I am often asked is “what is the difference in qualifications between midwives in the NHS and those working as private or independent midwives?” In my blog today I explain a bit about this, including the role of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Spoiler alert - we have the same basic qualifications! Link to my blog in comments

Important information- please share

🚨IMPORTANT! 🚨

Phone lines are disrupted at Royal Sussex County Hospital (Brighton), and Princess Royal Hospital (Haywards Heath) and are being urgently worked on to restore communication.

🔹Maternity Triage (MAU) at Brighton Hospital

Call: 07917751742

🔹Maternity Triage at Haywards Heath Hospital

Call: 07436040094

Please share widely to make sure birthing women are aware of the temporary emergency numbers for maternity. 🙏

So I’m back in the UK! It’s certainly quite a shock to the system.
I will continue to add posts to my website in the coming months, sharing
Some of the things I think about as I drive around the Sussex countryside.
As you can imagine, after 3 months away my diary isn’t completely full yet, so I’m happy to chat with you if you want a single visit (before or during pregnancy or afterwards) or if you would like to find out more about a full midwifery package with me.

The end of an incredible trip. I have learned so much, seen many wonderful things (and some heartbreaking ones) and made many new friends. Somehow I suspect this may not be the end of my adventures, but for now I am heading home to be a midwife in the UK again, mindful of the many privileges we have there

Family spacing is a crucial health message in a country where the population has doubled since 1990. In my blog today I share some of my experiences in Malawi and thoughts about contraception. Link in comments

Carrying and holding babies is what every woman does here. Why don’t we do the same? In my blog post today I share some thoughts. Link in comments

Carrying and holding your baby - what’s right for you and your family? In my blog post from Malawi today I share some thoughts and observations

Midwife in Malawi (part 10) - holding and carrying your baby Holding and carrying your baby is something that every woman in Malawi does. No complicated baby carrier, just a simple strip of fabric. All day, every day.

I often have detailed discussions with my UK clients about food choices and how your BMI can be used as a reason to restrict choices for birth. In Malawi, there are few choices and often very little food at all. Find out more by reading my new blog post

Midwife in Malawi - food Food security is something we take for granted in the industrialised world. How can we address this in a sustainable way?

Feeding sick and premature babies when there are almost no resources means being creative. You can read more about my work as a volunteer midwife in Malawi on my blog. Link in comments.

This week in Malawi (amongst other things) I’ve been working on basic hygiene and handwashing with staff in the local preschools. An example of minimal cost project which could have vast benefits to the whole community.

Midwife in Malawi (part 7) - hygiene and handwashing Basic hygiene and handwashing can save lives. Helping preschools in Malawi develop good practice to reduce infection

Well baby clinics offering weight checks and immunisations look rather different in Malawi to those I have run in the UK! You can share in some of my experiences through my blog.

Midwife in Malawi (part 6) - children’s health care Children’s health care clinics offer weight monitoring and vaccination service. Major concerns are malnutrition and malaria.

My blog post this week is about “kangaroo care” of premature babies in Malawi. Some stark reminders of the privileges we have in the industrialised world. https://yourmidwife.org.uk/blog/kangaroo-care-for-premature-babies/

I’ve been thinking about managing the third stage of labour in Malawi and comparing it to UK practice. Read about my experiences and reflections in my blog Again I am reminded of our huge privilege in the UK. Link in comments

Week 4 in Malawi. I’ve just posted a new piece on my blog about managing the third stage of labour

Midwife in Malawi (part 4) Management of the placenta and the third stage of labour. Differences between decision making and risk factors in UK and in Malawi.

I’ve just updated my blog with a new post in which I have been reflecting on fetal positions prior to birth and differences between my experiences in the UK and in Malawi.

Midwife in Malawi (part 3) - Walking With You What factors influence fetal positioning? Does it matter? What is the “best” position for a quick birth?

Week 2 of my trip as a midwife in Malawi. My first week at the hospital. Read about it in my blog

Midwife in Malawi (part 2) My first experience as a hospital midwife in Malawi. No soap, no sterile gloves and no swabs. 160 women every month. Trying to work out how to help.

I’m currently working in Malawi, one of the poorest countries in the world. If you are interested to know more about my experiences I am aiming to update my blog on my website each week while I am here. Link in comments.

Baby loss awareness week is October 9th to 15th. As many of you know I have organised a Wave of Light event for the last few years in Keymer. I am away this year, but I am very grateful that Father Alex has offered to host and lead this year’s event on Sunday 15th October at St Cosmas and St Damian church in Keymer. It is open to anyone affected by baby loss, whatever the circumstances and however long ago. No religious affiliation or belief is required. Please arrive by 6.55pm , ready for the lighting of candles at 7pm, in memory of the babies we hold in our hearts. I will be with you in my thoughts from 5,000 miles away

Day 6 of my trip to Malawi as a volunteer midwife. I’ve just posted an update on my blog if you want to know more about my experiences https://yourmidwife.org.uk/blog/midwife-in-malawi-part-1/

I’m away working in Malawi for the rest of this year. I plan to share some of my experiences through my website blog www.walkingwithyou.org.uk if you want to know more