Locals- Jayne Cadby Midwife

Usually on my ‘locals’ section I send questions out to said guest and they fill them in as appropriate but for this special one I wanted to write a piece 1) about a new community I’ve joined in the past month and 2) highlight a part of Queenstown that I don’t normally chat about. Midwives.

If you’re a follower of mine on Instagram (come say hello!) you’ll see there’s a new addition to my family. A baby. I have no idea what I’m doing (does anyone) and for the past 8 months or so I’ve been regularly seeing Jayne as my midwife here in Queenstown. The system here in NZ (although I’m sure is different in places) gives you regular check in’s with your midwife right up to birth and then if you have your baby here in Queenstown you see them at the birth or if you head to Invercargill (for one reason or another) you get a different one and then continue with your regular midwife on the return home for 6/7 weeks.

Amazing.

I chose Jayne because hello awesome name, she’s also from the motherland (so could understand me when I spoke in my northern drawl) and came highly recommended. I couldn’t have been more blown away.

Jayne has been the most patient, kind loving woman I’ve met on this crazy train ride. She listens, gives helpful info when needed and laughs along with me when I say “but how the hell do I keep her warm?”, “Why can’t she just tell me what she wants?” and never pushes any agenda on me. Ever. So I thought I’d write her a letter (because this is what i do for most things) and say thank you.


Dear Jayne

What the hell? People do this again? Crazy. I thought I’d write you a note to let you know you’re appreciated, you’re wonderful, you’re also a bit mad to be around babies this much. They’re cute  but so are kittens and you don’t see me being a vet. But I forgive you, just this once.

As we’ve discussed before you get all the shit done (and if you actually want you can head to a get shit done unconference here). Your shoulders are the biggest ones I’ve ever come across- holding the weight of all those delirious mamas and papas out there with their crazy questions, tears and scared-ness.

Fending off Mr Anxiety and Mrs I-Have-No-Idea-What-I’m-Doing with aplomb. You have a wealth of experience and always go the extra mile and a million to make sure I understand what I’m doing and feel better about having asked all the questions.

I’ve come to learn how much needs to change in the ol health system (case load overload anyone) and also how little midwives chat about the amount they work infront of patients (again amazingly appropriate). These women stride forward always putting us first to hear our cries, silent tears and worries, laugh along with us and hug, kiss and settle our aching hearts.

Jayne you truly are always in our minds (I speak for the hundreds you’ve helped) and we thank you for being part of our community

with love

Jane aka mama making it up

p.s you never told me I’d still need to pee 10000x a day

x