Sophie was the midwife who changed everything for us. Our first pregnancy began with disappointment and a lack of continuity in community care. When we self-referred to the Home Birth team and met Sophie, the difference was immediate. She restored our trust in maternity care with her warmth, respect and professionalism. From the very beginning, she made us feel safe, informed and empowered as first-time parents.

Sophie consistently went above and beyond. She never rushed us, explained everything clearly, and gave us the confidence to make our own decisions. As a same sex couple, this meant even more — with Sophie, we always felt seen, respected and included. Her presence brought calm and reassurance, and her care quickly became something we looked forward to.

When labour began, Sophie was a lifeline. After 48 exhausting hours at home, she recognised we needed more support and acted swiftly. She advocated for us, secured admission to the Birth Centre, and personally alerted the hospital team of our arrival. Because of Sophie’s care, what could have been an overwhelming and frightening experience became one where we felt supported, informed and safe.

That one act of judgment shaped everything that followed. When our baby ultimately needed to be delivered by emergency caesarean, we were already in the right place at the right time. Sophie may not have been physically present at the birth, but her care and foresight were woven through the entire experience. She gave us not only safe and skilled guidance but also the feeling of being held and supported at every stage.

Now that we have been discharged, we will deeply miss her visits. Sophie’s calm expertise, humanity and dedication made an extraordinary difference to our birth story, and she will always be part of it. We are profoundly grateful to her.