Service Providers

Dr Jacky Searle

Obstetrician - Vincent Palotti Hospital

0215065111

Dr Searle was recommended by a friend who's baby was unfortunately delivered by C section after going into foetal distress during normal labour. 

She is one of the few obstetricians who will happily allow you to have a midwife handle your delivery. I believe that your birth should completely be your choice and that the doctor should be supportive of whatever you choose, as long as it doesn't put you or your baby at risk. Studies have after all proven that you are less likely to have a C section, epidural or an assisted delivery by having a midwife deliver your baby. No matter how you choose to deliver, make sure that your doctor supports you.

I found Dr Searle to be open and friendly, she explained every procedure before doing it and explained things in laymans terms so my husband would understand. She handled every complication with the finesse of a veteran, and always made me feel like she was in control. Luckily I didn't require her services during labour, but she was there to check on me nonetheless, and never made me feel bad for choosing a midwife instead of her to deliver. 

After delivery I had terrible problems with constipation and pain around my perineal tear. She sorted me out so quickly that I gave her a huge bear hug and walked away, comfortably for the first time, whistling.   

Sr Ciska

Midwife - Birth Options

0734620952

Ciska was recommended by the same friend, but also many other women who were lucky enough to have her deliver their babies. 

Can I first stress what a difference it made having a midwife. Being used to obstetrics a la SA government, midwives invoked images of huge women with scary voices screaming "push mama!!". Ciska is quite the opposite. She's a gentle soul who never screams and having her near you, you feel as though no matter what, everything will be ok, and that you should be a lot prouder of being a woman. During labour she works like she's conducting a beautiful symphony, and she almost instinctively knows exactly what will ease your pain, be it a trickle of water down your back or firm pressure on your pelvis, or even a gentle lullaby in your ear. My mom and husband were present at my birth and she knew exactly how to utilise each of their strengths to make it a beautiful drug-free birth, that I wouldn't change for the world. 

Postnatally she visited us on day 2, and taught me everything I needed to survive the following week, from how exactly to sun baby for mild jaundice to which homeopathic remedies to use for sore breasts to how to get baby onto a routine (if I needed to of course), and when I developed a breast infection the following week, she was once again here to hold my hand and keep me from slipping into post natal depression. I will never forget crying into her shoulder that day, wishing she would never leave me, and hearing her say "It's ok Leilatjie, its going to get better".

Ruth Katzman

Physiotherapist, lactation specialist

0828648232 

Ruth came highly recommended by my homeopath and GP. I wanted someone who was familiar with alternative healing methods like homeopathy, someone who would understand how important it was for me to continue breastfeeding, and mostly someone who would do a house call. She was all of this and more. Ruth came on the same day that I called. She was calm, kind and gentle, and basically took the reins from me completely. When she arrived, she asked for me a complete history of every one of my post natal problems, from the nipples to the mastitis to the constipation, she even wanted to know baby's sleeping habits. Then systematically, in the 2 ensuing hours, she worked through each of my problems and gave me some excellent advice I could not have read up anywhere. She is pricey but absolutely worth every cent. She showed me the latch I try to share with you in this blog, she gave me the recipe for All Purpose Nipple Ointment and even gave me her baby feeding cup. I refer all my friends and patients to this woman, she is the sole reason I am still breastfeeding today.