Being born is one of the most important experiences of our lives. How your baby is greeted, first held, first spoken to can be of profound significance to his or her development. To feel welcomed and respected, to feel safe and cosy, to come out into your welcoming arms, to be snuggled against your warm body, to hear your familiar voice gently murmuring sounds of pleasure, all these must make a difference to this tiny human being’s interpretation of the world, to his sense of well-being and safety, to her development of trust and confidence.

For you, the mother – how you are able to give birth, being treated respectfully and feeling supported, being able to take up positions which are more comfortable for you, being assured of privacy – all this has a profound effect on how you feel about yourself as a woman, as a human being and as a mother.

For you, the father – being listened to; having your knowledge of your partner acknowledged and needed; being able to give your partner the best possible support and encouragement because relevant information was received ; having access to practical information to show you how to take care of your newborn child – has to ease the journey into fatherhood.

Having a baby is the most exciting adventure of your life. You are starting out on a new life – a life in which sometimes you will feel vulnerable and you will be looking for someone with knowledge and understanding to help and support you. You will be looking for a wise and safe guide who will listen to your hopes and concerns and who can suggest helpful and practical ideas to ease you into the adventure of being pregnant, of giving birth and of life with a new baby.

The midwives of the Launceston Birth Centre know and understand how important this time is, and they care deeply about how your new family life begins.

As midwives we can look after you throughout a normal pregnancy, labour, birth and newborn period. In addition you may wish to consult your GP to arrange blood tests and ultrasound scans. There are some conditions for which we would advise a hospital birth.