Jo Taylor, in previous lives a special needs teacher and psychologist; also turned midwife after the powerful effects of the births of my own children 10 years ago. Both were planned home births and were wonderfully positive experiences, despite the first eventually taking place in hospital after a transfer in labour. I also received one to one care from a midwife I knew well and trusted and this relationship was key in enabling me to achieve such fulfilling birth experiences each time, let alone a complete career change.

I trained as a Direct Entry midwife at the University of the West of England and since qualifying, have worked in Southmead Hospital and as an NHS community midwife within North Bristol. Until recently, I worked within a midwifery team, providing antenatal, intrapartum (labour and birth) and postnatal care to women within a locality known for its high home birth rate. I am experienced in home birth, the use of water for labour and birth and vaginal birth after previous caesarian. I have good working relationships with local NHS midwives, doctors and other maternity care providers. My fundamental beliefs about pregnancy, birth and parenting stem from my upbringing on a farm, my training in psychology, personal experience and my work as a midwife.

Sally Randle. Both my children were born at home, with one to one care from a midwife I knew well. During my own pregnancies and afterwards I became more and more fascinated with how well a woman’s body can work, if allowed to, and how strong women are during this time in their lives. Because of this belief and my desire to continue to be involved with women at this important time in their lives, I decided to give up my previous career in TV production to become a midwife.

I trained as a Direct Entry midwife, which means I trained solely as a midwife, at Kings College and Guys Hospitals in London. After qualifying I worked as a community midwife for the former hospital. Because of the way maternity care is set up there, I was able to work in a Midwifery Practice with my own caseload of clients. Now, in Bristol, I wish to continue working this way: caring for women I can get to know during their pregnancy, be with during their labour, birth and help them make the transition to parenthood afterwards. I believe this system offers women the best care and gives me the greatest job satisfaction. I am experienced in homebirth, vaginal and homebirth after a caesarian and water birth at home as well as caring for more complicated pregnancies and births.