Has Covid increased the desire for out of hospital births?

I have had the opportunity to work with some truly wonderful midwives and doulas over my years as a birth photographer. Watching these trained professionals at work is always rewarding, whether at a Mediclinic, Netcare, Life hospital, or other birthing centre, as well as in the home birth environment.

I recently felt compelled to really touch base with some of their work in a deeper way. There are some careers that you seek and there are some that find you. I believe midwifery is a calling. It’s this calling that drives and sustains you during the unforgiving hours, late night labours and high stress environment.

In these troubling times (with the Birth Industry suffering along with so many others), I thought it a good time to show appreciation to the women who play such a big roll at a crucial time in a parent-to-be’s life.

I’ve been privileged to work alongside Angela Wakeford, Cape Town-based Independent Professional Midwife, both in past years and more recently during Covid times.

Angela recently did a beautiful podcast for Baby Brunch with Elana Afrika-Bredenkamp, entitled A Midwife – Everything you need to know about Pregnancy & Birth. It’s packed full of information that may help you through your pregnancy. Have a listen here.

Angela has certainly noticed a rise in interest for home births during Covid times. Suddenly, moms-to-be discover that their partners cannot be with them at the birth of their child, due to safety protocols instated at their hospital or birth centre. This leads to the decision to rather spend some additional funds to be able to birth at home.

The pressure to be induced for Covid reasons is another factor that drive parents to look into safer birthing options that lower the risk of infection.

The interest in home births is increasing. Parents who were originally planning on birthing at their maternity hospitals, are now seeking alternative options, even if a home birth was not something they would have considered pre-Covid…

See Angela in action at one of my latest births:
Natural hospital birth at Christiaan Barnard | Nala

Check out this emotional film of a home water birth:
Magical home water birth | Cornelia