Kay Hardie exceeded our expectations!

We had high expectations of an independent midwife and Kay Hardie exceeded them! Kay was very supportive and caring, and her confidence gave me/us confidence. We were impressed with Kay in so many ways, and it is difficult to find words to express it all in a review.

For our first baby, we had a traumatic and unusual labour and birth, therefore we decided that when/if we had another baby, we would get an independent midwife for continuity of care - and it was the right decision and investment to make.

During our antenatal appointments we discussed my concerns and in a very professional, transparent and patient way she addressed them all. She lent me books which I feel prepared me better for labour and birth - particularly the one with pictures. At first, I didn’t think I wanted to see photos of birth but being able to visualise what was happening was very helpful.

Due to our previous experience with the birth of our first child, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to have our baby in the birth centre at the hospital or at home. Kay’s flexibility not to determine this in advance was invaluable. We agreed to decide during labour where I would like to give birth, based on how everything was going and how I was feeling.

I had contractions start and stop over a couple of days before they progressed rapidly the night before our baby was born. I was managing the pain with a TENS machine. We decided to call Kay at midnight, she arrived promptly and was ready. Her calmness and confidence at this point was really valuable for us - my labour had progressed rapidly and Kay agreed it was a good idea to get into the birth pool, which she had lent to us. I got into the pool and decided that since everything was going so smoothly and quickly, I wanted to stay and give birth at home and not attempt to go to the hospital. We felt ready to make that decision and it just felt right.

Labour continued to progress quickly and our baby was born shortly after getting into the pool - he was perfectly healthy and we cuddled him in the pool and waited for the placenta. Kay stayed with us until we had enough time for all of us to feel comfortable and ready.

Kay’s postnatal support and care was so very much welcomed. She took care of the things we had no idea had to be done and that gave us more time and mental space to enjoy being with our family of 4.

I am VERY happy to have given birth to our little boy in the calm environment of our home under Kay’s care.