PROFILES

Helen Sandner R.N. Midwife, Grad Dip. Nursing (Mid) MNS, FACM .

It is now almost ten years since I attended my first homebirth and working in private practice has enabled me to fulfil my personal midwifery passion and philosophy.

My belief that I strongly behold is that each woman must be at the centre of her care. I believe that pregnancy and birth is a normal life event; a time that can have a profound impact on the future wellbeing of both mother and baby; and a time when the social, emotional, physical, spiritual and cultural aspects must be met to allow each woman to prepare and move through the transition to motherhood.

Working in private practice has allowed me to develop a partnership with each woman and her family, where mutual trust and respect have underpinned the care and decisions that were made. Through these partnerships I have been humbled by the privileges bestowed upon me and I acknowledge that my greatest responsibility to these families was to ensure that I provided safe optimal midwifery care, whilst also respecting their right to self determination.

Sharing midwifery knowledge and wisdom is an immense joy. As the practice grows I enjoy friendship and collegial relationships with the other midwives, as we develop our own midwifery souls.

As I move into the next decade of my life journey I have decided to devote more of my time to mentoring and managerial roles within the practice. In making this move I remain forever grateful to the women and families who have put their trust into my care. I hope to give back to those women and families, by contributing to ensure that their choice for homebirth and private midwifery practice continues to survive in a time of political uncertainty.

Samantha Ward R.N.,Post Graduate Diploma of Midwifery.

My journey towards midwifery began when I accidentally (fortuitously!) went to visit my friend at her house, to find she was actually in labour! I was encouraged to stay as long as I was “useful”, and that amazing experience has changed my life and set my path. She was in the pool, in her lounge room, with her husband, older children, friends and chosen midwife present, and everything felt normal. Her home was calm and warm, she was free to move when and where she liked, free to follow her body, the space was held and safe to birth in. To experience such beauty and magic, to witness the birth of a baby, who couldn’t get hooked?

When my time came I chose to birth in a birthing centre, where the midwives and my support girlfriend provided me the strength and encouragement to trust my body and my baby. They took watch and supported my greatest personal challenge, never taking it from me. My son arrived peacefully through water, and I couldn’t believe I had really done it. Who would want to hand any of that over?

Later I was with my best friend, in the same birthing suite, joined by some of the midwives that had attended me. For the first time I experienced myself as an intuitive guide and support for a woman in this awesome process, both at home and when we got to the hospital. I felt
totally in my element. Another powerful, raw, normal birth. I am grateful to the senior midwife who recognised my passion and encouraged me to follow my calling.

The privilege of witnessing this birth, of seeing my friend as pure woman, intuitive, raw and true has had a profound impact on how I want to work with women. It seems to me that it is through the strength of the relationships built between the midwives and the mother that we can truly meet her needs in labour.

My personal experiences, my education and my exposure to both clinical and home environments have created strong foundations for my approach to practice. I feel passionate about supporting and celebrating women who choose to birth in their home environment, and rejoice in the invaluable partnerships we forge on the journey.