It was during my pregnancy with my son in my mid-twenties that I first became interested in the field of childbirth. Initially I trained as an antenatal teacher with the NCT and helped at a local Active Birth class. During this time I also co-founded a homebirth support group in Hackney and tried to improve the maternity provision as a consumer representative. Looking back at that time, it was while attending births of friends and women I got to know during classes, that the desire to train as a midwife was born.
After training in two London teaching hospitals, I worked initially in Tower Hamlets providing care for women in the community and in hospital. It was the shortage of midwives and frustration with the lack of continuity in the NHS that made me choose an independent way of working.
During the years in independent practice I have found that labours that follow the textbook are non existent, every woman and baby write their very own story full of surprises and I have not ceased to be moved and amazed by this.
The majority of women I have cared for have given birth in an out of hospital setting and more than 80% gave birth in water. Feeling safe, relaxed and supported aids the birthing process tremendously and women are often amazed when they tap into their instinctive powers in labour and as mothers. My expertise lies in facilitating this process; making suggestions when necessary, helping with breathing, and keeping the focus on the positive power of the birthing process.
I am bilingual in German/English and can help clients from German speaking countries to feel more relaxed in the British birthing culture
In my free time I enjoy my garden, nature, reading and the company of my friends.