Dublin Homebirth

Myself and Ruth at an empowering Homebirth today with a first time mum. What a privilege to witness #homebirth #SECM

Last visit with a lovely family that I have cared for over the past few months. Continuity of care not only benefits parents but also midwives. Such a joy looking after them and getting to know there other little ones. Thank you for this very thoughtful gift ❤️

Just received this today. Looking forward to reading it.

The returning to normal physiological birth conference has been postponed until November

Taking the opportunity to soak up this beautiful moon tonight. On call for an amazing mama expecting her third baby. #oncall #callthemidwife

Fabulous conference this Friday on normal physiological birth. With some fantastic speakers.

Amazing hamper to come home to. It was such a privilege to be part of this wonderful family’s life for the last 7 months. Wishing them all the best ❤️❤️❤️

Lovely catch up with these amazing midwives #homebirth

So nice receiving such positive feedback ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ At a point when I thought our breastfeeding journey might come to an abrupt end when Noah was just two weeks old, I found Carolyn in a desperate attempt to get some much needed help. I was in a lot of pain and was really struggling with feeding our little boy. My nipples were bruised, cracked and needed a lot of healing. I just about ready to give up but really wanted to continue breastfeeding Noah especially because I had breastfed our first little boy for a year. Carolyn came to our house to see us the day after I messaged her. I was so relieved and grateful to see her so quickly. She was very approachable and had a lovely calm presence which put us all at ease. After listening to our birth story with kindness and compassion and getting to know us a little, she then had a look at Noah. It was then that we realised he had tongue tie which was affecting his feeding and causing me a lot of pain. Thankfully as suggested by Carolyn we got a last minute appointment to see Dr Alan O’Reilly to assess Noah’s tongue tie further and have the releasing procedure done. Carolyn also suggested getting a prescription nipple cream which we did and which helped my nipples heal while still feeding Noah, without the need to use nipple shields or pumping. She also observed Noah feeding to check his latch and she reminded me of a few different feeding positions. She answered all of our questions and spent plenty of time with us. A few days later and we were already on a different path. Noah was feeding much better, more efficiently and I was in much less pain. A week or two later and my nipples have completely healed, I have practically no pain and our feeding experience is so much better. We are very grateful to have met Carolyn and would recommend her to anyone looking for some support. She has been a wonderful, crucial part of our breastfeeding journey and thanks to her support I think we can look forward to what I think will be a very special breastfeeding relationship. Thank you again Carolyn for the amazing work you do, Emma

Received some beautiful words from this fabulous family I looked after #### 🥰😍From the first moment, when I saw Carolyn, with her colorful skirt, loosed on her back a rich dense hair, a gentle look, straight away I knew she is a special human. I resonated with her from our first consultation and thanked God meeting her in this life. Carolyn has a holistic approach regarding pregnancy and births. Those aspects being so important for a pleased birth. Carolyn instills confidence, because she knows her profession so well ‘up to the bones’ you feel secured and relaxed. During the whole pregnancy period she showered me with advices and answered all my questions with patience. Each time she made sure that I understood all what she was telling me, as she knew and saw that my English was average. During the labor time she gave me space, so I could live that moment in the best relaxed way possible. Encouraging to focus on my breathing, and right away I felt the difference and thoughts came through my mind, how amazing that she is near and reminding me what I am supposed to do. The birth itself it was magical. I am blessed and thankful for having Carolyn close by. That feeling of security in those moments make a difference. At the same time labor being an intimate moment, Carolyn knew when to intervene if it was the case. The consultations after birth were as well full of love and encouragement. Only that idea that she is there for you to give me a hand keeps me at ease and brings tranquility for the mind. I am grateful to the Supreme Divinity that brought Carolyn on my way. It’s not enough to be good at your job, but also to have compassion and to be a human - the true human!

A new definition of midwife from a wonderful family I cared for. Such thoughtful gifts.

We are hosting an open evening for midwives looking for information about the homebirth service

I had always wanted to have a home birth but I had been afraid to take the leap. However as the Covid19 pandemic began to take hold in Ireland my fears of not having good support in the hospital gave me the push I needed. I met my Carolyn several times before birth. Those visits felt like a five-star, luxury service. Instead of waiting in our run down, over-crowded maternity hospitals, with countless other people, I was in my living room, my bedroom. Carolyn was amazing. During those visits I got to know and trust her. She was so calm, knowledgeable and reassuring. She always offered me information and choice. And made sure I was aware that all the choice were mine. On the day when Carolyn arrived she was able to tell me that my contractions weren’t doing much. At this point I thought I would go into hospital and get an epidural. I was in pain. If this was nothing, then I wasn’t going to be able for whatever something was. I told Carolyn as much. She reassured me that I was going to do this and asked me if anything was holding me back. I told her that I couldn’t get my head around actually giving birth to my baby and she asked if I wanted to watch homebirth videos with her. We watched the videos and something clicked for me. I’d a little rest and my contractions started to feel more intense. Carolyn suggested either to have a shower or get into the pool. I opted for the shower thinking I’d better save the pool for later, but I’d hardly made it into the bathroom before I changed my mind. I wriggled out of my tens machine and hopped into the pool. There was a moment of peace. Once in the water, I relaxed. And then my labour really began. Powerful surge after powerful surge. It was unstoppable and I felt surrendered to it. I totally trusted my Carolyn. I was calm. I felt light in the water and I could move with ease. My labour lasted 51 minutes. I delivered my baby myself. No one touched him but me. That felt important. He was born in the caul, underwater. Nine months later I’m still in awe that I did that. And I’m still overwhelmed that I was given the opportunity to do it by the incredible midwives, Carolyn and Niamh that were with me

This is such an amazing course on the biomechanics of childbirth. https://www.optimalbirth.co.uk/index.php/blogs/biomechanics-for-birth-a-labour-of-love

Loving the fabulous blanket and book which I received from a beautiful first time mum who had a Homebirth - Really thoughtful presents.

Lovely walks within 5km of my home. Spending some time with what I’m told is the oldest sycamore trees in Ireland. On call for a mother close by.

Fabulous feedback from our service users of the HSE Homebirth service. Thanks to the CMA for compiling the figures

The lovely midwife Brenda Campion O’Toole assisting a wonderful labouring mother with hydrotherapy. Such a peaceful atmosphere.

Beautiful gift from a lady who gave birth on Christmas Day. Lovely reminder to breathe.

Getting in some fresh air on my way to see a beautiful first time mum and baby