Birth In Motion

After giving birth to her first-born daughter, Veronica Aphane was left with feelings of discontentment and failure. From that moment on she knew that there had to be more to birthing and she wanted to experience this with all her other births. This is her story…

- Veronica Aphane

I fell pregnant with my first-born during my third year in varsity. The pregnancy was unplanned. And although I was under my mother’s medical aid, she was uncomfortable with the additional uncovered medical costs that might arise with the birth of a baby so I had to deliver my daughter at a public hospital. The experience was one of trauma and neglect. Instead of compassion and support, all I received was curses and insults.

So when I found out I was pregnant with my second daughter, I wanted this experience to be intimate, safe and in a secure space surrounded by people I love. I also wanted my partner to have the freedom to love and support me during the labour and birth. And I also wanted the midwife who would assist with the delivery to be someone I had built a relationship with, someone I was comfortable to let into my intimate space, and someone who would offer me not only physical but emotional support. So when my friend referred me to Midwives Exclusive’s birth units at Femina and I met Sister Guineve de Jager, I knew I had found my birthing place. The birth units were fitted with a beautiful double bed and a good-sized bathtub for a water birth experience. Guineve had a beautiful and compassionate spirit, and you could see her love for pregnant and birthing mothers shine through her eyes.