Sophia Russell

I have three children and I’m a birth and postnatal doula. I believe childbirth is a natural and healthy event and women should be able to give birth at home if they so choose. We founded this group to provide informational support and friendship to other women who are thinking of birthing at home. Come and see if home birth is right for you too!

Anja K-Metzner

I am a mother of two teenage boys and an Independent Midwife. I specialize in homebirths and am passionate about supporting women and their families to have an empowering birth experience and positive transition to parenthood. After supporting several women in the Haywards Heath area, I realized that a Homebirth Group would be a fantastic support network for women considering a homebirth.

I want to be available to answer questions, give ideas, reassure and help to support the women and their partners planning or considering a homebirth.

Sam Bell

I am 34 and live with my husband Steve and daughter Francesca in Haywards Heath. Francesca was born safely at home in a birthing pool on December 13th 2006, after a healthy pregnancy. Our decision to opt for a home birth followed my growing general awareness of the crisis in the midwifery service locally. I then saw reports that this was not the only area where maternity care was under incredible strain. Not wishing to become a C-section/Epidural/MRSA statistic and having found the perfect home birthing duo in Anja K-Metzner (independent midwife) and Sophia Russell (Doula), at 36 weeks of a healthy pregnancy we knew we had the every chance of having Frankie delivered in the safety and tranquility of our own home, and the decision was made. This happy event came to pass, thanks to Anja and Sophia, and I wouldn't change anything the next time around! 

Gabs de'Ath

I'm a 33 year old first time mum who had my baby, Otis, at home.  Other mums always say I'm brave to have had my first baby at home - I say they're brave to have gone to hospital!  My husband Richard and I both felt we'd be happier at home, and therefore a homebirth was the right choice for us.  When I was pregnant, we would have both appreciated a Homebirth Group where we could meet like minded people and find out more about homebirth, so helped found the group in the hope that we could help others decide if it's right for them.

 

Liz Evans

I am the mother of three daughters aged 5, 3 and 2 years, and I used to be a doctor.  The evidence that home births are at least as safe, if not safer, than hospital births for uncomplicated pregnancies, convinced me to try for a home birth with my first baby.  Unfortunately after a long labour I ended up going into hospital for the birth of Sophia but my experience further convinced me that I would prefer a home birth for any subsequent babies.  I delivered Francesca and Isabella successfully at home.  Isabella was born in a birth pool.  Both births were beautiful and empowering experiences and I passionately believe that all women should be given the opportunity and support to give birth at home if they choose to.  I am the Mid Sussex NCT Home Birth Coordinator and have been pleased to play a part in establishing the Mid Sussex Home Birth Group which gives information and support to help women make the right decision for them about their birth.