It could have been a very different experience if it wasn’t for Yorkshire Storks.
Chris I’m so grateful and feel so lucky that you, Tracey and Kim were able to support me in the births of Tristan and Mathilda, now aged 13 and nearly 11.A 10 1/2 lb baby and then subsequent small for dates but growing perfectly at own pace baby could have been a very different experience if it wasn’t for Yorkshire Storks.
Yvonne
These truly inspiring ladies enabled me to trust my body.
These truly inspiring ladies…enabled me to trust my body, let it grow big healthy twins without time limitations, and birth them myself, naturally, with minimal intervention. Going with them was the best decision ever made, I just wish every woman could experience their care, compassion and expertise.
H – Spontaneous physiological birth of twins, one at home and one in hospital
Chris was a reassuring presence and didn’t make me feel as though I was under observation.
We’d already built a good relationship during my previous pregnancy and Chris’ visits were like social calls since she understood what sort of birth I wanted having attended me at the gentle birth of my second son. On the big day, Chris was a reassuring presence and didn’t make me feel as though I was under observation.
Barbara
I was able to have all my Storks appointments in my own home – so much more relaxing and stress free.
I wanted to avoid the hospital as much as I could as it gave me terrible anxiety – especially near the NICU. I had shared care with the Storks and the NHS. I was able to have all my Storks appointments in my own home – so much more relaxing and stress free. I got to know them all really well. They felt like a little family to me. Sophie and Thomas could be there and Frankie the cat. I had no restrictions at all or any hospital policy to conform to.
In early labour, we were alone just the 2 of us, the kids asleep upstairs and it was quite sureal – so different to the other births I had had and then Chris arrived first followed shortly by Sharyn. I was in the pool by the time they arrived. They started knitting and chilling out and I continued my breathing and relaxation. They were there but not there if that makes sense. I felt completely calm if they were knitting – everything must be alright then and I didn’t need to worry if they weren’t.
Caro 4th
Some of our clients
We both visibly relaxed, knowing that we weren’t alone in this.
Once we contracted Chris, David and I felt tremendously relieved – we both visibly relaxed, knowing that we weren’t alone in this, knowing that we no longer had to fight the uninformed NHS midwives we had already argued with.
I do remember some visits around Christmas from Chris and Michelle and how I had all the time I wanted to discuss my concerns with them.
Chris once said to me, “you pay us to do less”. And this was exactly how I saw it. She talked about watchful waiting, about knowing from observing the labouring woman which stage of labour she is in. (It’s like paying for organic food – you pay to avoid the unwanted, harmful additions!)
It was a lovely feeling to be cuddled up in bed with the babies. I only then saw the oxygen canisters that Michelle had discretely got ready once they had realised Corem was breech. The four of us had cake and champagne and it felt like a little party. It was only later that I found out that it was Chris’s daughter’s 18th birthday! And Chris was with us instead!
I still couldn’t believe the babies were born. After all that fear about separation and special care. I will never be able to quantify what Chris did for us in supporting us to delay intervention and therefore postpone labour for as long as possible. I can’t bear to think what would have happened if I had had to have the hospital’s invasive examinations and possible procedures after my waters started leaking.
Caroline and D
I was able to have all my Storks appointments in my own home – so much more relaxing and stress free.
I wanted to avoid the hospital as much as I could as it gave me terrible anxiety – especially near the NICU. I had shared care with the Storks and the NHS. I was able to have all my Storks appointments in my own home – so much more relaxing and stress free. I got to know them all really well. They felt like a little family to me. Sophie and Thomas could be there and Frankie the cat. I had no restrictions at all or any hospital policy to conform to.
In early labour, we were alone just the 2 of us, the kids asleep upstairs and it was quite sureal – so different to the other births I had had and then Chris arrived first followed shortly by Sharyn. I was in the pool by the time they arrived. They started knitting and chilling out and I continued my breathing and relaxation. They were there but not there if that makes sense. I felt completely calm if they were knitting – everything must be alright then and I didn’t need to worry if they weren’t.
Caro 4th
More of our clients
It was lovely to have our appointments at home that fit round work and a very busy home life and meant my husband could be there too.
Chris was very down to earth and listened and was a wealth of experience, we had Chris and Jo as our midwives and Sooz also who was gaining some experience and Kim who also came along. It was lovely to have our appointments at home that fit round work and a very busy home life and meant my husband could be there too. I also found whenever I went to the doctors my BP went through the roof so it was much better being at home.
I had a large residential planned with the brownies I run in July to the Lakes, Chris was fantastic and knew that I was best busy and instead of putting me off, said if I needed her she would get to the Lakes.
At 3 weeks old willow seemed a little stuffy, I tried to get in the doctors but the receptionists were a nightmare. Chris in the end worked her magic and we got an appointment. Willow was diagnosed with bronchiolytis and very poorly, we were told to go straight to the hospital and she was put in a oxygen tank.
All the storks came to visit but I will never forget Kim visiting . It was agreed Willow wasn’t settling in the tank and with Kim’s support they agreed to try me holding her, straight away she settled and her sats were better. I was alone in hospital as Andrew was with Theo and besides myself, Kim came in and sat with me, sent me for a shower and a walk, promised to watch Willow. When I came back she had tidied my hospital room, and had also brought home made cake.
T first baby
They prepared us in such a way that we were able to feel confident in our own individual ability and as a couple to birth our child.
Meeting with people who didn’t make us feel as though we were asking the impossible was relief on a whole new scale! Their antenatal support and encouragement were second to none, and for us informed choice was paramount, and we were reassured in this every step of the way. They supported and respected our decisions.
This has been our first pregnancy and we were extremely anxious as we moved into the unknown. As a couple, we have very specific needs, and these were greeted without hesitation by all four of the Storks. We felt extremely safe and happy for any of them to attend the birth, even though only two were nominated. They prepared us in such a way that we were able to feel confident in our own individual ability and as a couple to birth our child.
J and G
I could not have imagined how dedicated, professional and compassionate the Yorkshire Storks are.
When I first thought about independent midwives, I could not have imagined how dedicated, professional and compassionate the Yorkshire Storks are. They supported us every step of the way, practically and emotionally, devoting so much time and effort that we really felt as though we were their only clients. They answered any questions we had, and were never patronising or dismissive of our worries – and as first time parents we had a lot of concerns. Our wonderful son was born at home in the living room, where we felt comfortable and safe.
P and G
Our ante natal visits were a chance for discussion and support, and we never felt under pressure to have medical intervention from any of the Storks.
From the initial meeting we had with the team we felt perfectly at ease with the Storks team, and knew that they would support our wishes through our pregnancy and birth journey. We were right! Our ante natal visits were a chance for discussion and support, and we never felt under pressure to have medical intervention from any of the Storks.
More like family members than midwives
The Storks were like Ninjas – quiet, hidden, but there when needed and highly professional.
The transition between the comforts of home and the midwives care, highlighted the differences in styles between the Storks and the NHS. The Storks were like Ninjas – quiet, hidden, but there when needed and highly professional, whilst the NHS were more like Squaddies – brash, capable, and full of humour, but high volume and in your face.
Ninjas and Squaddies