Gentle Birth
Birth in Port Elizabeth

Leigh-Anne Perelson A Gentle Birthing Choice Midwifery care tailored to suit your specific needs throughout your pregnancy, labour, birth & beyond.

Midwifery care tailored to suit your specific needs throughout your pregnancy, labour, birth & beyond. Homebirth carries enormous responsibility, but also a tremendous amount of achievement and satisfaction. There is something so awesome about arriving in a home where there is an air of expectancy, the woman is in pain but seems so calm and strong in her own environment. This qualifies me as a registered midwife as well as a registered nurse in general nursing, community nursing and psychiatry. There are a number of capable midwives in the Port Elizabeth area that may be able to help you. You can choose to stay at home for most of the first stage of labour and be intermittently monitored there and then accompanied to hospital when you are ready. Your midwife will remain with you once you are in established labour and will monitor your progress and deliver your baby. Birth with a midwife is for the client wanting an active, natural birth usually without medical pain relief. You will be accommodated in your choice of birthing position and will be consulted before any interventions are undertaken. After birth, you will be settled and assisted with your first breastfeeding before being left in the capable hands of the hospital midwives. A doula package includes two antenatal visits to discuss your birthing plan; labour & birth support; initial breastfeeding assistance; and two postnatal visits to help with your adjustment to motherhood. During labour you will be visited at home and accompanied to hospital. A doula assists with breathing techniques and natural pain relief measures such as positioning, movement and massage. You will receive information to help make informed decisions throughout labour and birth. Clinical decision-making rests with your primary care-giver. After birth, your doula would stay for an hour or two to help with breastfeeding and settle you into the postnatal ward. Two postnatal visits are done, one in hospital and one at home. Monitrice (clinical) services are offered for first-stage monitoring at home before admission to hospital. Postnatal Care Adjusting to motherhood can be a difficult time. You have many questions and are often bombarded by well-meaning people with conflicting advice. Home visits are offered to check you and/or your baby including the six week checkup (with Pap smear). All women are eligible for visits, regardless of whether they delivered with a midwife or doctor. Visits are about an hour long and during that time your baby is examined and weighed. Elia Parsons Breastfeeding consultations Often, in the early days of motherhood breastfeeding is not as easy and as natural as you feel it is supposed to be. Before discontinuing, consider a consultation with a professional to provide you with assistance in terms of positioning and improving your baby’s latch. You will also be advised regarding healing of nipples and recognising problems. A little help goes a long way and breast milk is one of the best gifts your baby can receive! Frank A Clark Well baby visits Appointments are offered for well baby checks. During these 30 minute consultations your baby will be weighed and measured and baby care advice given according to you and your baby’s specific needs.