Birthing at Genesis clinic

Hi Jmaz,

I would have loved using Marilyn again, even phoned them first.
Unfortunately they don't do VBAC's (first birth one ended in emergency c-section).

That's how I ended up with Phindi - Marilyn suggested her, and she comes highly recommended on the forums for VBAC's - and I also loved her to bits!!

As for the doula - I never got a private Doula, but was lucky enough to get assigned one of the Genesis staff Doulas for my second birth - she is the one that pushed me through (managed to have 100% natural, water birth - no pain medication at all)!!
She literally spent hours sitting with me, rubbing my back, talking me through my contractions, telling me what to expect! Was REALLY worth having her there.

@JeanineK - I've seen old posts of yours as well - you used Marilyn Sher & Veronica for your first birth right? Can you tell me why you chose not to use them and to use Phindi instead for your second? Also, did you use a doula at either as well and was it worth the extra expense?

@jehtha I have a sort of similar issue with the gynae's as I can't deliver at Parklane or Linkwood because my insurance doesn't cover it (or more accurately, we'd have to pay 30% of the hospital bill as they're not associated hospitals). So I'm debating if we should see a gynae at Sandton (where I am covered) at least once to make sure we have someone there. But then will still need to see a backup gynae that's associated with Genesis at least once as well. Not awesome as those gynae visits are expensive.

@wide-eyed thanks for so much detail!

Glad to hear they'll give you gas if you ask for it in the birthing pool because I'm a bit scared of going without anything and not being able to handle it. I'm planning to do hypnobirthing classes now which hopefully will help with that.

Hi Jehtha, yes there is a booking fee of about R1250 (if I remember correctly) at Genesis for downstairs beds, that needs to be paid before birth, and this is not covered by medical aid (well at least not on ours - we are with Discovery Classic Saver option).

Hope this helps?

Hi Everyone,

it been a whole, hope everyone is good.

just a quick question, has anyone paid the core payment for using the downstairs room at genesis? while on medical aid, this is besides the booking fee, so to book a room itself apperantly there is a payment over and above that, has anyone experienced this and what was the charge.

thanks

@Lee_N xoli is quiet nice, i had her as my midwife when i had my first baby even though i ended up with c section..

@Vendah I've just about cyber-stalked both Phindi and Xoli and still cant make up my mind - they both seem so lovely. I hope they're at the open day at Genesis on the 22nd (i think that's the date) so I can meet them personally and make my decision based on the personal interaction. Else I'll just toss
a coin.

hi Lee_N

She said the same thing to me, so i went with Phindi