Birthjoy - Joy Horner Independent Midwife

Antenatal appointments are unhurried and last aproximately one hour, giving you plenty of time to ask questions.
All appointments are at a mutually convenient time, in the comfort of your own home.
We have plenty of time to develop a trusting relationship with each other.
I provide support and information to help you make informed choices about home birth, waterbirth, VBAC (vaginal birth after caesarean) etc.
You will get continuous support from a known midwife throughout pregnancy, birth, and the postnatal period.
Your family can be involved in appointments and be present at the birth if you wish.
I provide continuity of care for a minimum of 4 weeks postnatally, and support you with feeding and caring for your baby.
You receive a full set of your notes on discharge.

"There is evidence to suggest that women with one-to-one care throughout their labour are significantly less likely to have caesarean section or instrumental vaginal birth, will be more satisfied and will have a positive experience of childbirth. This impact becomes more apparent when non-professional staff members, rather than professional staff members, care for them." (NICE Intrapartum care guideline Sept 2007. Page 74)

"There was a lower rate of all clinical interventions associated with one-to-one care and rates of satisfaction were higher." (Clinical outcomes of one to one midwifery practice. Lesley Page, Sarah Beake, Andy Vall, Christine McCourt, Jenny Hewison British Journal of Midwifery, Vol. 9, Iss. 11, 01 Nov 2001, pp 700 - 706)

A group of midwives working in a deprived area of London has great outcomes based on one to one midwifery care. At the Albany Practice in 1999 there was:

It has the highest home birth rate in the country (43% vs. 11%) Higher breastfeeding rates at birth (93% vs. 70%) Lower induction rate (5% vs. 20%) Lower overall assisted delivery rate (5% vs. 11%) Lower caesarean rate (18% vs. 21%)