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2nd September 2007
Paula Wills, Methven, NZ
Home birthing is such a natural way of bring
another member into the family... our boy Ethan was born at home in
our house bus...it felt so comfortable and calming being at home...
i will definitely be having the next one at home!!! or maybe outside
26th February 2007
Jennie Ferguson, Wellington
My first daughter- Olive, was born at the hospital
and my second daughter-Aster, was born at home. What a life changing
experience Homebirth is!!! Birth is such a natural, amazing event,
and it just felt so right having my girl at home. I am so looking
forward to birthing more babies at home :)
9th February 2007
Anneke Dellaway, Lower Hutt, Wellington
My first child was born at home (pretty much where
I am sitting which is kinda cool!) and we are planning to have
another home birth with our second child who is due in three months.
The birth stories written by first time mothers on this website, my
supportive midwife and husband gave me the courage to do it too and
I am so pleased that I did! It felt natural.
24th January 2007
Kiley Turner, Matangi, Hamilton
Hi, I am so thrilled to be able to say
I had a
beautiful homebirth, it went very well. I was in the birth pool
surrounded by candles, a salt lamp, my affirmations on the wall and
love from my partner and midwifes, I had a perfect boy who came in
the world weighing 11lb 13oz. I would do it all again tomorrow
exactly the same. I think we all need to keep talking about
homebirth, and help other woman to realise that it is the 'normal'
way to give birth.
21st December 2006
Ines Winz, Auckland, NZ
I've had a great homebirth just a short while ago.
Thanks to all homebirth midwives - what you do is just beyond the
normal call of duty.
15th October 2006
Angie Duff, Kerikeri NZ & Brisbane Australia
Lovely site. I've had two planned home birth's in Australia, and
would love to have the integrated system New Zealand enjoys, there.
Hopefully all in good time!
8th August 2006
Tui Wagstaff, Christchurch, New Zealand
I think the world would be a
better place if all families could experience the joy of home birth.
Mothers and babies would bond and breastfeed better and families
would make the transition more smoothly - its just such a pity there
is so much fear associated with birth. Both my boys were born
beautifully at home as planned and so will any further children we
have. PS So nice to see people from other countries using this site.
14th July 2006
Chelsea Grootveld, Harima cho, Japan
My husband and I are only 8
weeks pregnant but we're feeling very excited and positive about the
birth of our second child and have decided to homebirth this time
around. We return home to New Zealand in a few weeks and I look
forward to joining the local homebirth association. The homebirth
stories are a fascinating read and I feel I've learnt a lot from
these deeply personal stories. A very empowering and nurturing
website - thank you!
28 October 2005
Angie Sharp, Nelson, New Zealand.
I'm all for home birth. I have 3 children: my first born in
hospital (only because he was 4 weeks early) and my other two born at home.
28 October 2005
Keri Davis-Miller, London, England
Hi there. Really enjoyed reading through messages on
this web site, thank you. My partner and I are going to have a home birth this
coming January. We are being realistic and understand that at the last moment,
worst case scenario, I may have to go in to hospital. That said, we are really
determined to stay at home. Hopefully after some training it will be a
hypnotherapy birth as well, little intervention and just some good deep
breathing and visualisation. I am really looking forward to the experience. The
stories I have heard and read about just convince me even more that we are doing
the right thing. As soon as you enter a hospital here you have to play by their
rules, be hooked up to their machines and give birth according to the staffing
schedule. I’ve visited three hospitals where I live in London (and they
definitely are not all like this) but there was no facility for either of us to
make a tea or prepare a drink without going for a long walk to the hospital
canteen. That in itself put me off. We checked that the record our midwife
had on completing a homebirth at home rather than taking the mother to hospital
at the last moment. She worked with 15 homebirths over the last year with two
ending up going to hospital which I think is a good record. I have read that the
things that we should have at home include plastic sheets, nappies and clothing
etc, ice cubes of juice, chocolate biscuits for mid wife and prepared music.
Does anyone have any suggestions on items/things they found very useful to have
at home but that we wouldn’t necessarily think of?
23 October 2005
Grace Phiri, Zambia
Very educative site, especially for some of us who are expectant mothers for
the first time. It gives us an over view of what to expect experience when our
time comes
06 September 2005
Sheena Peihopa, Raglan, New Zealand
What a cool website, expecting our third child in 3-4 weeks and looking
forward to the home birth experience again. Birthed our beautiful daughter at
home with no midwives (contractions started and baby came really quickly),
everything went well, husband caught her and midwives arrived soon after (10 pd
7oz's). I never felt worried just went with the flow and tuned into my inner
self. Our first child a darling son, was a hospital affair and even though the
midwives? (and there were many as the day/night went on) were marvelous. We had
planned a hospital birth but hypertension throughout the pregnancy became too
much at 38weeks, big decision made by midwife and us to be induced this brought
a lot of poking and prodding along with an epidural, episiotomy and a forceps
delivery. Not at all what I wanted but a safe birth eventuated. There was never
a doubt in my mind that a home birth would be the option again and as written
above the birth of our daughter was the complete opposite and everything was
fine. Can't wait to go through this awesome experience again soon. As already
noted in previous postings. We had an awesome midwife for the first two Paulette
Whitford with Jo Simpson assisting and now our Third is on the way, Jo Simpson
is taking over the reins. Amazing people with nothing but the best intentions
for you and your baby. Choosing the right midwife can make your birthing
experience a magical moment.
20 July 2005
Sally Whitson
I am a midwife ( new to Nelson - from Australia) I would
prefer to give birth in my own surroundings with well known friends and my
partner and a supportive midwife.
02 May 2005
Gideon Clewlow, Auckland NZ
My amazing partner birthed our son in 6 hours into water at
home. He was 5 kg, that's 11 pounds 1 oz. A real contrast to our first birth, 50
hours at home and then transferred. My partner was exhausted and needed a little
oxytocin (I think). She birthed our daughter naturally but the hospital
experience left us pretty hollow...Unlike having Noah, absolutely perfect...
26 April 2005
Fiona Hall
Gave birth to my baby boy Jamie at home in a birthing pool -
was a wonderful experience ! Quick too - he arrived within 8 hours of
starting contractions !
26 April 2005
Kelly Dempsey, New Zealand
I put Georgia's birth story over two years ago not only
to inspire other woman to have the courage to have a home birth after a
c- section but as also as a reminder for my self of how strong I had to be
to carry through with it. I still read it often and through the hard
times my little girls birth still warms my heart and I feel like the most
powerful woman on the planet when I read that story. I am now looking
forward to the home birth of my forth child with out fear and read Georgia
birth story for inspiration, she is my hero. Since her birth I look at my
role as a parent in a way different light and my whole life become so rich
and full of love. That's the power of home birth, its life changing, its
makes you strong. Thank you for this site its wonderful and I will look
forward to writing my fourth baby's birth story in here for all to read.
21 April 2005
Katherine Walker, Auckland, New Zealand
What a godsend finding your site! Really informative and have
spoken to a midwife on the list who was just brilliant and put my mind
completely at ease regarding my wish to have a hba2c. Fantastic site will
recommend it to anyone wanting a home birth.
7 April 2005
Rosalie, Dunedin, New Zealand
Mauriora. I am mother to 3 children all of whom were born at
in the comfort of home! Being strong in yourself and in your family, along with
a wonderful midwife, creates a truly amazing environment for a truly remarkable
experience! I absolutely support homebirth as a positive & natural way to
welcome babies into the world.
25 March 2005
Dee Rolston, Hamilton, New Zealand
Great website. Refreshing to have relevant NZ info for a
change. My first birth was a lovely un-medicated waterbirth at a birthing centre
but am really excited to go for a homebirth next time... although I will miss
the pampering and 6 meals a day I had at Waterford!! Thanks
16 March 2005
Yvonne Vincent, Rotorua, New Zealand
Great website. Bringing homebirth to 'the norm' is very
important and this website helps to do that. I am a member of the Rotorua Home
Birth Association. My son was almost born at home, we planned to but it didn't
work out that way, nature huh! I am still planning on a homebirth for my next
one though. Keep up the good work, thanks.
9th March 2005
Sharon Johnson, New Zealand
Great site. I am a 2nd year student midwife, I have yet to
attend a homebirth, but am looking forward to it. My Auntie has had 2, in 1992
& 1996.
18 December 2004
Jessica Richards, Auckland, New Zealand
GREAT to see a site just for ladies like me! It has given me
more ammunition for talking to my uninformed friends about my impending
homebirth.
16 November 2004
Whetu Whaiapu, Auckland New Zealand
We have had all three children at home and lucky for us we had
the same midwife for all (Paulette Whitford). Homebirth is the way to go, we
wouldn't do it any other way.
10 October 2004
Kieran Young, New Zealand
I needed some information for a presentation on the advantages
of Homebirths for a first year nursing paper at Otago Polytechnic. Your website
is great, easy to follow and attractive, I have definitely changed my opinion on
homebirths - they sound so much more comfortable and appropriate than hospital
births, if I have another child I will be having a home birth!
28 September 2004
Gretchen Jones, Maryland, USA
A really great site, with lots of useful information. Thanks
for your efforts. I particularly appreciate the links to articles on the safety
of homebirth in mainstream medical journals, as these are the most persuasive to
those who doubt the safety of home birth. As one of your essays points out, not
all home birthers are "granola" types who burn candles. I am one of
those (I don't even buy organic foods necessarily!). I had my first (and so far)
only birth at home, and it was an incredible experience. Thanks again.
27 July 2004
Deanne Norris, Auckland, New Zealand
I have had one hospital birth (first child) and two
homebirths, our fourth child is due in March 2005 and will be born at home. All
of my children were birthed without pain relief intervention and I believe this
is best for your body and child. Birthing at home was by far a much more
pleasant experience, I highly recommend it!
14 July 2004
Belinda Shaw, Hamilton, New Zealand
Home births are the way to go. I had my son Korrin at
home. It was amazing and I will do it again at home. Jo
Simpson (midwife) you are the best.
29 May 2004
Joanne Morrison, N.S.W Australia
I am A mother of five children and I have had all of my
children in hospital, I am moving to New Zealand in June 2004 and look forward
to having my sixth child at home, thanks to a great website such as this one to
help make my decision.
18 May 2004
Marie-Louise Chambers: Preston, Lancashire, England
Your
web site is very interesting and informative. As a midwife I am
interested in how other midwives use I.T. to pass on information, also looking
at practicing midwifery in NZ in the next few years.
02 May 2004
Kiri & Ross Johnson, Auckland, New Zealand
Loved your stories and info
30 April 2004
Kim Oldham, Cromwell, New Zealand
Great Website - I belong to the Central Lakes Homebirth group
and enjoy all information on your site.
25 April 2004
Sarah Bartlett, Auckland, New Zealand
I am 15 weeks down the track and in the
those of considering
my options as to where and how I birth. I have always known I would lean heavily
towards a natural birth in a non-hospital setting and this website has helped
along with some good books (like Homebirth Bound) to gel my thinking. Thanks and
keep up the good work. More women need to be exposed to the homebirth philosophy
so that it becomes the norm and the medical approach the abnormal.
20 April 2004
Natasha Delgarno, Auckland, New Zealand
Thanks for your excellent website. I have had 3 homebirths -
in 1993, 1995 and 2004. With the last one I have found it hard to make contact
with other home birthing parents. It is good to know that homebirth is still
alive and well in New Zealand.
