Meet The Midwife

Funny story…I never wanted to be a nurse! I just completed the course because I got accepted, and I’m a firm believer that, if you start something, finish it. As a nursing student I would always say:” I’m never working in the labour ward”, but God is clever, Ha-Ha and clearly, He had other plans. He is, after all the One who wrote my life story.

As a 19-year-old, second year nursing student, I had our first baby. And on the night I went into labour, I had two very contrasting experiences. The nurse who was my first contact that evening was very rude and probably treated me that way because I was a teenager, and in her mind I didn’t belong there. At the second hospital it was a different experience. Everyone was nice and made me feel so at ease. To this day, I can clearly remember how both these instances made me feel. I believe God allowed me to have both the good and the bad experience, because He knew that one day, Crystal was going to be a midwife and He wanted me to know how my behaviour towards a mother, would affect her birth outcome.

I will never forget the 3^rd of October 2005. The first day I walked into Elsies River Midwifery Obstetric Unit (MOU), which is a midwife-led, government facility. It was a busy day in the labour ward, everyone was screaming and I thought to myself “What am I doing here? I don’t belong here.” But it was while working there that I realized my innate love and passion for midwifery and where I gained invaluable experience in the field. I loved every moment of working in the community and meeting new and different people, from different backgrounds and cultures.

While doing my Advanced midwifery training in 2014, my lecturer would always say “As a midwife you’re an independent practitioner. You are the one with the woman, you know her needs. Treat each mom as an individual, holistically and don’t just blindly follow the protocols.” When I returned to the MOU in 2015, that’s exactly what I did. I tried different birthing positions, gave moms more time to progress, and as the years went by, I realised that this is not enough anymore. I can do so much more as a midwife. I needed to break away from the hospital environment and start my own practice. After 16 years I resigned from the government service.

While planning the practice I had my doubts and one day, while walking in the shopping mall, a man came up to me and said “I don’t know why, but God sent me to you today. And He wants me to give you this verse, Philippians 4:13 ‘I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength’” That’s when I knew, this is my calling! And what made this decision easier is the enormous support I have from my family, especially my husband, Jeremy and my children, Jerene & Jaidan.

I completed numerous courses, including Neonatal resuscitation, Basic Life Support, Breastfeeding courses and ESMOE training (Essential Steps in the Management of Obstetric Emergencies).

My qualifications include:

• A Diploma as a Registered Nurse (General, Community, Psychiatry) and Midwifery.
• Post-Graduate diploma in Advanced Midwifery & Neonatology

I am a newly certified “My Birthing Kit” practitioner. My Birthing Kit uses relaxation and breathing techniques (similar to hypnosis) to promote Mindful Birth and prepare mothers to feel calm and in control during the birthing process.

I am registered as an Advanced Midwife with the South African Nursing Council, a Private Practitioner with the Board of Health Funders as well as an Independent Midwife with the Sensitive Midwifery Academy.