Genesis Clinic

Hi Sarah,

I saw Marilyn for most of my appointments, and she ended up assisting with the birth.

As for the c-sec - my LB was quite big (3.89kg), and more importantly - his head circumference was quite big as well (can't remember the exact figure). By the time I was induced, I was already a few days over my due date. That morning, both the gynea (Dr Mia) and Marilyn examined me, and both mentioned that my pelvis was narrowed at the top. In spite of this they still allowed me to attempt a natural birth - hence the induction.
By that afternoon I asked (yes, I asked, they didn't insist ) for the c-sec, and when they took my LB out, his head was stuck in the birth canal.

I've never had any doubt that the c-sec was necessary, and if I fall pregnant again, I will 100% go back to genesis, and Marilyn.

I decided to use Veronica and Marilyn specifically, because they were highly recommended by a LOT of my friends - and one of them had a successfull VBAC with them the next year as well. (her c-sec was also at genisis, but a different midwife)

Hi Janine,
I also had a cesarean section at Genesis Clinic and my midwives were Marilyn and Veronica. Well actually i ended up with Veronica. Which one was with you while you were in labor? I have struggled with the outcome of my first little one's birth and am not sure if I want to try Genesis again, even though I want to go for a vbac. Have you had a 2nd baby yet? and i know this is a very personal question but were you ever unsure of your trust with Marilyn/Veronica? Did you ever feel your c section was unnecessary? My email is sarahnicole545@gmail if you want to answer my questions more privately, i Understand.
Thanks so much for your time.
Sarah Patrick

If you have any doubts on midwife led care, I would suggest you watch a documentary produced by Ricky Lake called "The Business of Being Born". I wish I had known about midwife led care when I was having my first!

Millivanilli,

after reading you I feel like getting pregnant again and getting a midwifery/Genesis experience. Very touchy

I had a water birth at Genesis.
My baby ended up being induced, and had problems with oxygen intake, and the staff were amazing, keeping him on oxygen, and making sure that my baby was ok. they got the paed to see him first thing in the morning.(he ended up going to hospital, and in icu for 3 days). it was very scary, but all the staff there were very nice, friendly and supportive.

as for a midwife delivery - i would HIGHLY recommend them. They are so much better than a doctor, as in friendlier, and they treat you like you are your only patient, they'll spend an hour with you if you need them to, or if you have lots to ask... (as apposed to a doc, who after 5 mins makes you feel rushed and like they're ready for their next patient).

as for my midwives, we called Genesis and asked if they knew of any midwives that were closer to our area (we live close to atlasville, boksburg) so travelling to genesis was far for us to go every month. Genesis gave us the name and contact details of the midwives who work near us, Sr Karen and Sr Lindsay... My midwives were awesome, when my baby was born, he was small (2.7kg) and in icu for the first 3 days, because they thought he had an infection or so, so he was in there getting tests done. i could not stay at the hospital, and it was the hardest thing i've ever had to do leaving my son in a hospital and i have to go home.

my midwives came to my house for his first weigh in, and everything when he was a week old. they also saw me every week in the first month or so, to check up on him (they never charged for all these visits - they just wanted to make sure my baby was ok) because of this, they noticed his head growing too fast too quick - so sent me to get a scan, he ended up with hydrocephalus, or 'water on his brain' so had to get surgery done. my midwives would call me, and check up on me and my little boy - what other doctor or gynae would generally do that? midwives care about you. They also took out his stitches after they had healed.

i still see my midwives for my son's injections, and i go for checkups with them every month. I trust them much more than i would anybody else with my child.
sorry this is so long, i get carried away sometimes, but my main point is I really would recommend a midwife led birth, (oh, also, it was just me and my husband in the room while i gave birth, and my husband was holding me in the bath, there were two midwives, the one was helping me give birth, and the second one grabbed my camera and took pictures of the birth - something i am really really greatful for! if she never had done that, i would never have any pictures)
i would also recommend Genesis! I'm planning on going there for a waterbirth as well when we have our second child, and any more that come along.

i will say, just quickly, there was only one thing i was upset about - i had specifically gone and bought his 'first outfit' (i bought two, one warm, and one cool, cause i wasn't sure what the weather would be like - just being overprepared)... after i gave birth, they told me to go have a shower, which i did - when i got out - they had already weighed my baby, cleaned him up and dressed him in some other clothes, and i was really sad about that. i only saw a picture of him on the scale. (atleast i have that) - if i had known they were going to wash him, i would have waited with the shower! but for my next child, now i know- - but if those moments will be precious for you, let the midwife know beforehand that you want to be present for that!

if anything does go wrong with the birth, they do have a theatre where they can do a c-section - either emergency or if you choose that as your birthing option.
also, they do have a small neo-natal unit for the baby if anything is wrong after birth.

as for a birthing place, you'll feel like you're in a holiday resort, nothing like a hospital! also, your baby stays with you - so no chance of your baby being switched out!

i loved genesis, the water birth, and my midwives, and would highly recommend all three!

Dinky, definitely go and visit Genesis.

I am also jealous because if I was in SA in time for my due date I would absolutely go there! (My physio used to work from Genesis and I fell in love with it just from visiting - bright, airy, stunning environment.) As it is, it will have to be for the next baby, God willing!

I havent even been to genisis and I'm jealous. 3 of my joburg friends have had the most awesome experiences there. I keep on wishing that something similar would open in Durbs! I landed up choosing to home birth because there wasnt this option!