Passionate Births

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I, Dr Candice Roberts, a gynaecologist in private practice in Bailito, have on numerous occasions had the pleasure to Work alongside Virgina (Ginny) Oosthuizen.

Ginny, is a professional birth attendant (doula). In all aspects I find her to epitomize the definition of a perfect doula. I admire her quiet presence, empathetic support and firm encouragement of the Iabouring mothers-to­be. Ginny has decades of experience in her role and although tempting, I’m sure, she never interferes with medical decisions made by the hospital midwives or doctors. She is in fact fully supportive and reassuring of the management.

The pregnant women and their partners strike up an antenatal relationship with her privately and after numerous visits during this period, they feel well supported and motivated to achieve their ultimate, a normal vaginal delivery. Unfortunately, the current local private obstetric system does not render itself to a personalized, pre delivery patient-midwife relationship development and the busy obstetricians are unable to be continuously present during the labour process. This is where the doula plays a vital role. lt is a well-known fact that births attended by a doula have better outcomes with less need for pain relief, lower recourse to Caesarean section and better neonatal Apgar scores. (1)

Ginny is absolutely passionate about birth attendance (her birth stories and success statistics pay homage to that). She selflessly gives generously of her time and energy to those that have been fortunate to seek her assistance.

I recommend her doula service and antenatal classes at every opportunity.

Ref: 1: Cochrane Database System Review 2011 Feb 16;(2):CDOO3766.