West Auckland Midwives

My name is Sally Ebsworth and I have been practicing as an Independent Midwife in Henderson, West Auckland for the past 13 years. I have delivered approximately 600 babies to West Auckland families in that time.

It is always a privilege to work with these families and to help bring and welcome  a new member into the family.

I believe in continuity of care for all my clients….that being looking after you from the day you book in with me (usually between 6 – 10 weeks gestation) until your baby is six weeks old, I call this the pregnant year, and hopefully over this time we will build up a relationship where you will feel comfortable and trust me to care for you and your baby over this time. The most common question I am asked when I get the first phone call when enquiring about a midwife, is “do you do water births?” and the answer is yes…I am more than happy to accommodate with this.

As all pregnancies are not the same, there are sometimes  challenges that we have to meet together, but we are very lucky in New Zealand,in that we have a wonderful maternity system that cares for all problems big and small that come our way.

I have rooms located of Lincoln Rd in Henderson.  Initially my clients are seen monthly until they reach 28 weeks gestation (a pregnancy is 40 weeks long) then fortnightly until they reach 36 weeks, and then weekly until the baby is born.  I ask all my clients to attend my clinic during the pregnancy, but once baby is born, I will then do home visits for the six week postnatal period.  Once the six weeks is up, I then refer you over to plunket and they take over the care of your baby.

Antenatal appointments are important, because this is the time we use to answer your questions, check that your baby is growing as it should, and also check you to make sure you are well.  Also all blood tests, ultrasounds and any referrals are made at these appointments.  I highly recommend antenatal classes for first time parents. You will get valuable information in preparation for labour and birth, and also on breastfeeding and looking after your baby once he/she is born.

As an independent midwife, I am on call 24/7 for my clients. At your first appointment my role will be discussed with you.  It is important that you receive this information, because unfortunately some clients do not stop to think that we do have families of our own and a life, so we discuss when it is appropriate to call your midwife.  Obviously there are times when it is an urgent call and we do suggest that you call night or day, but if it is something that can wait till working hours, we urge you to do this, as quite frequently we are up in the night delivering babies.

In conclusion, it is always a joy and a pleasure to look after the women of west Auckland and I hope to continue to do this for some time yet.