Why a midwife?

Before deciding on using a Midwife it is important to know that Midwifes only care for low risk moms, with low risk pregnancies and healthy babies. It is important to see your doctor for sonar checkups at 12 weeks, 20 weeks and 32 weeks. The modern midwife is a health professional who provides holistic care to the childbearing woman and newborn. She respects a wide range of women's needs, including personal and cultural values. Focusing on the natural processes of pregnancy, labour and birth, she combines traditional skills and modern medical techniques to safeguard normal childbirth. The midwife maintains associations with physicians and other health care providers to ensure that mother and child have the best available knowledge and technology at their disposal. Midwifery is based on a strong belief in partnership with childbearing women and respect for birth as a normal life event. Midwives strive to empower parents with knowledge and support their right to create the birth experience which is best for them. Midwives respect intimacy, privacy, and family integrity, and draw on their vast experience, extensive knowledge and understanding to provide care and support during pregnancy and birth.

Birth is a natural, safe and normal life event.
Midwifery is based on the belief that childbirth is a natural, healthy process and that most women are fully capable of giving birth normally. Midwives see pregnancy as part of the full spectrum of life's experiences, and they believe women have the right to a fulfilling, as well as a safe, childbirth experience. Midwifery care involves judicious use of technology thus avoiding the risks, discomfort, and disruption that unnecessary procedures impose, yet have the opportunity to use available technology if needed.

Midwives improve the outcome of labour and birth.
Research shows that midwives achieve the same outcomes as physicians without disrupting the natural birth process as often. Research also shows that midwives have reduced cesarean section rates by more than 50% with no compromise in safety. In fact, care from midwives has significantly lower rates of induced labor, episiotomies, and forceps births. Midwives are most actively involved in a woman's preparation for childbirth. That kind of support reduces the length of labor, avoids unnecessary interventions and improves birth outcomes. Midwifery care is proven to be safe.

Midwives take time to offer care.
Midwives recognize that clients are individuals and because of their personal, cultural, and religious beliefs, every birth experience is different. Midwifery care is ongoing and involves education, health promotion, social support, and clinical assessment. Midwifery encourages mind-body connections, recognizing the spiritual and emotional aspects of birth, allowing women to birth with strength and dignity. Midwives encourage women and their families to make informed choices, creating an atmosphere in which they can celebrate the miracle of birth, wherever they choose to be.

Insurance covers midwifery care.
Most health insurance plans cover midwife care. Midwives are cost effective and improve outcomes. Midwifery care reduces costs through sensible use of technology and tests, and low cesarean section rates without compromising quality or outcome. Midwives contribute to cost savings. With the option of out-of-hospital care, families can reduce costs as must as 30-50%!

Why Gail?

Gail de Vos midwife practice is an independent practice operating in the Johannesburg Area. I do consultations and deliveries at the Genesis Clinic, Linkwood and at Parklane Hospital and also at my client's homes for home births. I am passionate about birthing options supporting VBAC and water births in particular and I also support moms through unexpected Caesarean Section.

I've been a midwife for many years. During my general nursing training I found my calling in midwifery and haven't looked back since. Each family, birth and baby is unique, it brings me great joy to meet each family and it's my privilege to be a part of each birth.

I believe that women's bodies are naturally capable of giving birth and that trusting and listening to your body at every stage of labour will insure a healthy, natural and positive birthing experience for you and your baby. No one said labor is easy hence the name labour, but I will be there every step of the way guiding you and helping you interpret what your body and baby needs you to do.