An exhilarating experience

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When I remember the birth of my first child, I get truly euphoric. I see the cosy birthing room, me in the bathtub, my husband on the edge of the bath, my midwives Gesche and Sabine, the midwifery student Ylva, an atmosphere of calm, concentration and joy. The experience fills me with strength and wonder and I would like to shout it to the world: it was an exhilarating experience! I want another child so that I can experience this magical moment of birth again.

I remember a quiet Sunday morning when I was woken up by contractions. I felt calm and incredibly curious. My actual midwife was Vanessa, but Gesche was assigned that weekend. I had met Gesche beforehand and the chemistry was right. After a romantic morning cuddle with my partner and a warm shower, the contractions came very regularly. I rang Gesche. She was bubbling over with good humour and told me to keep her up to date. I had to breathe out the contractions on all fours pretty quickly. So we met at the birth centre at midday. Gesche’s smile lit up. I experienced her as energetic and calm at the same time: meditative and athletic. All events were announced to me in advance and everything was done in such a way that it was as comfortable and pleasant as possible for me. Her announcements were precise. I was asked if the midwifery student Ylva, who I already knew from antenatal check-ups, could be there. I gladly agreed. She became our photographer.

I was suddenly desperate to get into the bath, which was prepared straight away. From then on, my husband was a rock. Gesche regularly listened to the heartbeat under water after a contraction, which was very straightforward. “The child is doing great, a sporty chap!” She commented quietly. In some contractions she held my hand. Apart from that, I only remember her praising us as a couple for how well we were doing. When I looked over the side of the pool, I looked into the face of the student midwife, who just smiled at us the whole time. That was incredibly motivating and gave me strength. I found it incredibly exhausting at times, but I felt totally safe. I could feel my baby’s movements and was completely focused on the contractions. I was completely on my own and everyone was sympathetic to me and the baby. I went through each contraction with long low tones, I remember how the sound swelled in the edge of the bathtub. Sound, labour pain and water combined to form a vibration, and then I floated very lightly on the breaks in between. Most of the time I lay bent forward on a nursing cushion on the edge of the bathtub.

Towards the end, my husband held me and I hung between his knees. Gesche encouraged me to feel for the baby. It was incredible to feel the head slowly push forward during a contraction. I remember the incredible moment when the head appeared between the legs. With the next labour, the baby was out. I couldn’t believe it yet when I already had it on my chest, Gesche had fished it out of the water in a flash. What had previously seemed like an insurmountable mountain had suddenly disappeared. My tiredness had vanished. Oh, was I overwhelmed by the force of nature in my body. I had made it. I had given birth to my child!

And I had the feeling that my midwives shared my happiness. My second midwife Sabine was discreetly in the background the whole time. I only discovered her later in the photos, I didn’t notice her during or after the birth. Together, the midwives helped me and the baby out of the bath, dried me off and accompanied me to the bed. The baby screamed and screamed. Ylva helped with breastfeeding. The afterbirth was uncomplicated. There was only a slight birth injury. Dad was allowed to cut the pulsating umbilical cord. As a new family, we lay in bed together for 1-2 hours. The midwives checked on us from time to time. Then they warmed up the soup we had brought with us and while I was fortifying myself, the U1 examination took place on the changing table next to me. Dad was allowed to dress the baby. Ylva helped me get up and get dressed. It had become evening. 3 hours after the birth we hugged each other warmly and the three of us got into the taxi and drove home.

S.

Universal love

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I don’t remember having experienced such an intense moment in my life. Of trust and surrender. Perhaps in my own birth! A moment to let myself be fully carried by the wisdom of my body, by the love of my partner and of these wise women who prepared the space to contain, to guide, to embrace.
Especially valuable in a society and in times where connection with nature, with true listening to what the moment is saying, is no longer so easy to find. A society based on numbers, statistics and studies, forgetting intuition, experience and wisdom and the ability through them to see things that machines have not achieved. A society where pain is not accepted and in order not to feel we are offered anaesthetics, the woman considered as weak, the arrival date too spontaneous for our calendars.
In this oasis called Maja fear is accepted, it does not need to be denied. By being able to let it out, one is not paralysed by its presence, but can concentrate on the essential. Accepting the surprise moment by moment, to meet again what we will never cease to be.
A space where we feel cared for, respected and loved. A love that can only be felt when the other has understood that we are all one, that there is no my baby or your baby, but that the love that one feels from one’s own centre expands in all dimensions, caressing everyone equally.

Wise beings.

Gesche transmits peace, connection and a lot of love. The wisdom of her hands, the experience of her senses, the knowledge of her studies fused with the experience of her life. From the first moment one notices something different in her presence, one notices the vibration of a being who dedicates her days to being reborn. What a woman! Here I am at a loss for words, it is a feeling that my soul remains in eternal gratitude and connection with her.
Susanne’s appearance in the last stages of labour was like the arrival of an angel. Without knowing each other, other than having passed each other in the corridors, she was there, full of love, putting me on the spot, reminding me of the good work I was doing, reminding me to breathe! What a beauty it was to cross this woman for 3 hours in my life, I will never forget her!
Sabrina was with us during the whole postnatal period. So much attention! Full of patience, after long days of work, she was always present with a smile from ear to ear, a very warm heart.

Thank you for being part of this, thank you for dedicating your life to give these babies and their families the most beautiful welcomes we could imagine. you will carry it with you all the way.


AMOR UNIVERSAL

No recuerdo haber vivido un momento tan intenso en mi vida. De confianza y entrega. Quizas en mi propio nacimiento! Un momento para dejarme llevar plenamente por la sabiduría de mi cuerpo, por el amor de mi compañero y de esta sabias mujeres que prepararon el espacio para contener, para guiar, para abrazar.
Especialmente valioso en una sociedad y en tiempos donde la conexión con la naturaleza, con la escucha verdadera a lo que el momento esta diciendo, ya no es tan fácil de encontrar. Una sociedad basada en números, estadísticas y estudios, olvidando a la intuición, la experiencia y la sabiduría y la capacidad a través de ellas de ver cosas que las maquinas no han logrado. Una sociedad donde el dolor no esta aceptado y para no sentir nos ofrecen las anestecias, la mujer considerada como debil, la fecha de llegada demasiado espontánea para nuestros calendarios.
En este oasis llamado Maja el miedo esta aceptado, no necesita ser negado. Al poder dejarlo salir uno no queda paralizado ante su presencia, sino que puede concentrarse en lo esencial. Aceptando la sorpresa momento a momento, volver a encontrarnos con lo que nunca dejaremos de ser.
Un espacio donde nos sentimos cuidados, respetados y amados. Un amor que solo se siente cuando el otro ha entendido que todos somos uno, que no hay mi bebe o tu bebe, sino que el amor que uno siente desde su propio centro se expande en todas las dimensiones, acariciando a todos por igual.

Seres sabios.

Gesche nos transmite paz, conexión y mucho amor. La sabiduría de sus manos, la experiencia de sus sentidos, el saber de sus estudios fundido con la experiencia de su vida. Desde el primer momento uno nota algo distinto en su presencia, uno nota la vibración de un ser que dedica sus días a re-nacer. Que mujer! Aquí si que se me quedan muy cortas las palabras, es una sensación de que mi alma se quedo en eterna gratitud y conexión con ella.
La aparición de Susanne en las ultimas etapas del parto fue como la llegada de un ángel. Sin conocernos, mas que habernos cruzado alguna vez en los pasillos, estaba ella ahí presente llena de amor, poniéndome trapitos en la sien, recordandome el buen trabajo que estaba haciendo, recordándome de respirar! Que belleza fue cruzar a esta mujer por 3 horas en mi vida, no voy a olvidarla jamas!
Sabrina nos acompaño durante todo el puerperio. Cuanta atención! Llena de paciencia, luego de jornadas largas de trabajo, siempre estuvo presente con la sonrisa de oreja a oreja, un corazón muy cálido.

Gracias por ser parte de esto, gracias por dedicar la vida a darles a estos bebes y a sus familias las bienvenidas mas hermosas que podríamos imaginar. lo llevaran consigo por todo el camino

N.

Proud and very grateful

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We gave birth to our sweet daughter at Geburtshaus Maja. When I think about the birth, I am above all proud and very grateful. Grateful that we chose this place to give birth. Grateful for the wonderful care we received from our midwife Gesche before, during and after the birth, as well as for Vanessa’s caring representation and the powerful support during the birth from our second midwife Sandra. I am proud because the birth was very long and exhausting and we all – mum, dad, baby and midwife – held out until the end and we were able to experience a natural birth that I will remember forever. And a very positive one at that, despite the extreme experience and feat of strength.

We went to the birth centre for the first time on Sunday night. I had been having contractions all day, which were still easy to breathe through but were still clearly noticeable. When we arrived at the birth centre, my cervix was only 1.5 cm – I was still in the latency phase. We were allowed to arrive first to see if the contractions would get stronger. But that didn’t happen and so we went home again after 2-3 hours to try and get some more sleep.

At 4 in the morning, the contractions became much more intense and the intervals became shorter at 4 minutes, so that we were back at the birth centre at 5.30 am. So we all had a short night behind us and a long day ahead of us. Once we arrived, we had plenty of room to listen to our feelings and do what was good for us. I was in the bathtub several times, on the exercise ball, in various positions in and around the bed and worked my way from contraction to contraction. Our midwife, Gesche, was always there for us from start to finish with full commitment, patience and positive energy. But she also gave us the space and peace we needed. I found that very pleasant. I didn’t feel left alone and yet I could sense for myself what was good for me. Personally, vocal toning helped me well during labour and I also received support from Gesche and my husband when it became more intense. They toned with me and helped me through some very intense contractions.

It was already around midday and my waters just wouldn’t break, which meant that the birth was progressing slowly. Gesche had lots of ideas and patience to get it to break naturally. However, due to my large pool of amniotic fluid, this didn’t want to happen. As a result, the contractions didn’t get any more intense for the last few centimetres of cervical opening that were still to come and my reserves of strength were getting smaller and smaller. So at some point we decided together to open the sac artificially. It was the right decision for us, because things continued to progress afterwards.

When the cervix was about to open fully, our daughter had not yet decided in which position she wanted to be born. She was in the process of positioning herself as a stargazer. This would have made the expulsion phase a lot more difficult and we were wondering whether we would have to go to hospital. But Gesche’s experience paid off here too and she had lots of ideas on how we could get the little one to turn. With different positions, patience and room for my intuition, we managed it together – our daughter turned! We were all overjoyed, because there was no way I wanted to go back to the clinic after many hours of work. Perhaps this absolute determination to give birth to our baby in the birthing centre also contributed to her moving into a better position. Now the contractions could come and the goal was close.

The pushing labour then lasted another 2.5 hours. Here, too, I had plenty of space and room to see which positions were good for me and I was also given suggestions as to what I could try. I thought it was a very nice idea that a mirror was placed in front of me. So I could see directly how the little head moved out cm by cm and I knew that the pushing was having an effect. What an incredible experience! I can still remember exactly how the first hairs of her magnificent head of hair appeared. Thanks to the mirror, I now have a real film of the birth of our daughter in my head – a great memory! Gesche also helped me a lot during the contractions by applying gentle pressure to show me which way to push. That was very, very helpful. Gesche and Sandra – the second midwife who joined us at the end – also had lots of motivating words at the ready, which really helped me through the last few hours of labour.

Our daughter’s heartbeat was checked regularly and was always great. We never had to worry about her health and were able to give my body the time it needed to stretch during the contractions. Fortunately, I was spared a ruptured perineum.

My final birthing position was on the bed, leaning against my husband, the mirror in front of us. We were both able to see the birth of our daughter and will probably never forget these images.

In the end, we were able to hold our healthy daughter in our arms and were just incredibly grateful and happy! About 13 hours had passed since we arrived at the birth centre in the morning.

I am sure that the birth would have been very different in a different place. At Geburtshaus Maja we were given a lot of support, space and time to give birth to our daughter naturally. We would make the same decision again at any time and are very grateful to the team at the birth centre.

J.

Great work by midwives

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I was a first-time mother at the birth centre. Everything was new and unknown. There were three things that made a big impression on me at the birth centre: the time for your needs, the peace and quiet to “wind down” and the serenity that everything would be fine. The great work of the midwives, who constantly educated me and showed me new things and were always ready for an open discussion. Thank you. It was a wonderful experience to give birth to my own child in this place.

Rahel

Hurrah for midwives and birth centres

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Dear friends of maternity trousers, are you having a baby? That’s a hit par excellence! Hip hip hooray, put your hands up and shout “here” if you can catch the next midwife from a birth centre: because a spot there is the jackpot for you and your little appleseed. Still unsure? “Ahhh, birth centre, I don’t know, mhhh, nah, maybe I’d prefer the sterile hospital with the reassuring beeping machines, something could go wrong and all that…” I get it! I didn’t even know – before my nephew was born – that birth centres even existed (which is a shame, as it only reflects the fact that there is far too little publicity about this topic, which would, however, be urgently justified. So now a little gust from my side).

So if you have no idea what a birth centre is, then PLEASE GO! Have a look, have everything shown and explained to you and afterwards you will either be completely convinced or you will simply be one experience richer and perhaps feel more comfortable with the decision to give birth in hospital, in a taxi or in the woods. All perfectly OK as long as you feel comfortable with it. But if you experience the same warmth on your first visit to the birth centre as I did, then you will know immediately: How lovely, my child will arrive with us in this quiet, warm, cosy room with candlelight and music (if desired) instead of in a brightly lit, in the worst case overcrowded, noisy and hectic delivery room. Then it will be with us, lying on top of us, we will have all the time in the world to understand what has just happened. And the whole time, my midwife, who looked after me wonderfully throughout the pregnancy and patiently explained everything I wanted to know (even four times in a row when the pregnancy dementia was up to mischief again) and was always there for me, will not leave my side until everything is over together. Unless she has to go to the loo. But then there’s always a second lovely midwife who rushes over to hold your hand, massage your bump or cool your forehead. If you are very lucky, you will even be asked in advance whether student midwives are allowed to attend the labour. Then definitely shout “here” again, because it is wonderful to be supported by such lovely people who are only concerned that mother and child are doing well during the birth, and in such a discreet and unobtrusive way. Midwives are very special people. It is extremely important that the relationship between you and your midwife is right. That’s why you attend a few appointments during your pregnancy to get to know each other and you have the opportunity to get to know another midwife if things don’t go so well.

Everything is great at the birth centre. The people are fantastic, both professionally and personally. The rooms are great, the beds are great, the tubs are great. The whole atmosphere is just great. I gave birth to both my children in birth centres (in two different ones due to our move) and would recommend every mum to give the birth centre a chance. Have a look at it, get to know the midwives and the facilities and then decide according to your gut feeling. You have to feel comfortable with the decision!

And please don’t let those around you make you feel insecure. Unfortunately, very few people really know what a birth centre is and how strict the requirements are to be allowed to give birth there. That’s why you often unnecessarily encounter alarming, unsettling and often very stupid comments when you talk about your birth centre plans. Don’t let this spoil it for you. You will experience your birth as something wonderful all round.

I’m not esoteric, spiritual, a greenie or globules fanatic (although maybe a bit green, like buying organic products-green), but I felt like on clouds. The girls there really know what they’re doing and the attention and help they give you during pre- and postnatal care and the birth is something money can’t buy. And the best thing of all: after the birth, you grab your little bundle and trudge home on wobbly legs, proud as punch, to your postnatal bed. Your midwife will come round every day to check that you and your baby are doing well and it will be the best time of your life. And I say that with conviction, even though I had three breast infections and considerable breastfeeding problems after my first birth. With the help, support and expertise of my midwives, I learnt to deal with every difficulty and not give up straight away.

Kudos to all midwives and birth centres! Especially thank you Sabine and Sandra for your endless patience with me and for making me feel like I was in a place that was almost more beautiful than home.

Luzie

A completely natural way

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When it came to choosing a place to give birth to our first child, my boyfriend and I quickly had the feeling that a birth centre would suit us and our needs. Due to its size, the warm interior, the familiar atmosphere and the friendly staff, we really liked Geburtshaus Maja right from the start. Our midwife looked after us during the pregnancy and so we had time to get to know each other. It was good for me that we always met at the birth centre so that I was already familiar with the surroundings. The care I received always reinforced my feeling that giving birth to a little person is a completely natural process. It also gave me great confidence in myself, which was very valuable for me before and during the birth. When the time came, we travelled to the birth centre at night with a feeling of security and returned home the next morning with our little son in our arms.

Steffi

Simply wonderful!

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The birth at Geburtshaus Maja is actually impossible to put down on paper… because it’s hard to put into words how wonderful it was. I had a really great and loving preparation thanks to my midwife! I am infinitely grateful for the birth of our son! Little things like listening to my own music, the lighting conditions, the atmosphere… simply wonderful! I would do the same again with my second child. A great experience and so enriching to have a natural birth. A big THANK YOU ❤️

Vroni

Wonderful experience, from which I emerged stronger as a woman

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After our first meeting at the birth centre, it was clear to us that we wanted to experience the birth of our daughter here. Not only did we hear the most beautiful birth reports from friends of Geburtshaus Maja, but we also felt very comfortable, well advised and looked after from the outset. I had midwife Vanessa at my side for the pregnancy, birth and postnatal period, who looked after me and us with her wonderfully calm manner and accompanied us through this time. During the check-ups, I always had the feeling that I was in good hands and receiving competent advice and that I had a great woman at my side, both professionally and personally.

The birth began very early in the morning at home with a rupture of the membranes. After briefly collecting myself and waking my husband, I called Vanessa, who invited us to the birth centre at 11am with her relaxed and calm manner. “Try to get as much sleep as possible,” she said. With so much adrenaline in my blood – easier said than done. At the birth centre, Vanessa listened to the heartbeat and asked about contractions, which were still very weak. The prognosis was that our baby girl might see the light of day at night. I was excited, but at the same time I felt well prepared to embark on this unknown, natural process thanks to the conversations with Vanessa and the prenatal class. We had got to know each other well over the months of pregnancy and Vanessa had my complete trust.

Then everything happened very quickly. At home at midday, the contractions quickly became more and more intense. After a few hours we made an appointment with Vanessa, who first checked on me again at home and examined me. It quickly became clear that we were all going to the birth centre together. Vanessa and my husband prepared the room and were by my side when the next contraction announced itself. In the end, it only took two hours at the birth centre for our daughter to be born.

I had hoped that the birth of my first child would go so quickly and smoothly, but I hadn’t necessarily expected it. At no point during the birth did I doubt that I was in the right place. Vanessa kept me up to date with how the birth was progressing and I felt safe and well supported at all times. Having Vanessa at my side as a professionally trained midwife was a good feeling and I trusted her experience and expertise. The birth at the birth centre was a wonderful experience for me, from which I emerged stronger as a woman and I am very grateful for Vanessa’s support. If there was to be a sibling, I would always choose to give birth here again.

Anna

Knew that she would walk the path with me as I imagined it

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Last year, I was looked after by a midwife from Geburtshaus Maja during my pregnancy, birth and postnatal period and felt very well looked after by her. From the very beginning, she made me feel that she was there for me completely and, above all, that she had confidence in my decisions, both with regard to medical appointments and everything to do with the birth. I always knew that she would walk the path with me as I imagined it. We had an intensive dialogue, especially with regard to the planned home birth. This meant I could be sure that we would have a wonderful birth and that it would be self-determined. During the birth, she behaved as calmly and discreetly as was perfect for me. Without much intervention, I was able to deliver our son in my hands in a relatively quick labour. I am very grateful for the support and guidance I received from our midwife and would recommend the entire birth centre without reservation to any mum-to-be who is looking for natural, self-determined care during pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period without major intervention.

Livia

Encouraged to trust

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On 13 April 2018, we gave birth to our son Neo at Geburtshaus Maja in Prenzlauer Berg. That was almost a year ago now and we have very fond memories of the time before the birth, during the birth and after the birth.

We felt we were in safe hands with the Maja midwife team right from the start. From the very beginning, I was encouraged to trust my body and my baby so that I could prepare for the birth with good feelings. The rooms at Geburtshaus Maja radiate safety and warmth. We felt comfortable there right from the start. Thanks to our trust in our midwife, we were able to embark on the birth process calmly and confidently. There was never a moment of uncertainty during the birth. It was wonderful to experience that we were able to take so much time for this event. Nothing made us feel rushed or pressurised. This made the birth of our son a wonderful experience all round.

The pre and post-natal care was very careful, reliable and relaxed. It was a great gift that we were able to enjoy the puerperium to the full in this way and welcome our Neo in peace and love. We would like to thank you for the great time and are glad that you made it possible to bring children into the world in this way. Thank you.

Vanessa