The Business of Being Born Message Board

My son was born May 10th, 1978 at a tiny local hospital on the Isle of Sheppey in Kent England. His birth weight was 11 lbs 8 3/4 ozs. He was the largest baby born at that hospital (not sure if anyone has beat the record yet). The only people present for the birth was my husband and the midwife. This was my first birth, I had to be induced as I was 2 weeks overdue and was experiencing a lot of discomfort. I had two other children, a girl (natural) and another boy (induced) at a hospital with a doctor. I can honestly say that my experience with the midwife was much more enjoyable. After you have your baby, and are released from the hospital the midwife comes to your home and helps you with breast feeding and any issues you might have with a newborn. As I was a Canadian living in England I did not have my mother there for support, so having a midwife was fantastic.

Now, I am going to be a grandmother for the first time. My daughter is expecting in September 2008 and she was lucky to find a midwife. There is actually a waiting list here if you can believe it. We are in the midst of a huge baby boom they say. She will also deliver at a small local hospital in Alliston, Ontario. The maternity ward only just re opened recently. When my daughter tells people she has a midwife they ask her a lot of questions. So many people still do not know that you have a choice of a doctor or a midwife, a home birth or hospital. My daughter is having a boy and we are very excited and relieved that her baby will be brought into this world with the help of a midwife.

Also, my niece in England is now a midwife and she was fortunate to have been at the hospital when her younger sister gave birth to a girl on September 1st (Labour Day!!) of last year. Wish she was here but I do not think she could handle watching two family members having babies.

So, here in Canada I can say you have two very loyal supporters of midwives and we are glad that they are here and hope we get more.