My Journey to Becoming a Private Midwife, and Why I Started Guided By You Midwifery

"Every woman deserves to feel supported, heard, and safe.

That belief is at the heart of everything I do."

Hi, I'm Emma, founder of Guided By You Midwifery and your private independent midwife serving families across Hertfordshire, Essex and London. If you've landed on this page wondering whether a private midwife is right for you, I'd love to share a little of my story, because it's one that started not in a lecture theatre or a hospital ward, but in a birth room, with my third baby.

My path into midwifery wasn't conventional. It was deeply personal. And I think that's exactly what makes the care I offer so different.

How My Own Birth Experience Changed Everything

When I gave birth to my third child, I was lucky enough to experience something that not every woman gets: truly outstanding, compassionate, one-to-one midwifery care. My midwife was calm, knowledgeable, and completely present. She made me feel safe. She made me feel seen. And in those incredible, vulnerable moments, that meant absolutely everything.

That experience lit a fire in me. I knew, with complete certainty, that I wanted to become that person for other women. I wanted to be the midwife who made a difference.

So, at the age of 43, as a single parent to four wonderful children, I went back to university and studied for my midwifery degree. It wasn't the easiest journey, but it was driven by pure passion. And in 2014, I graduated with a First-Class Honours degree in Midwifery. One of the proudest moments of my life!

My Experience: From NHS to Private Midwifery

Since qualifying, I've had the privilege of working across a wide range of settings, both within the NHS and privately. I've supported women at Whipps Cross Hospital and Princess Alexandra Hospital, gaining hands-on experience in high-risk obstetric care, midwifery-led units, and community settings.

In 2022, I was honoured to be the runner-up for South of England's NHS Midwife of the Year and received an award for Excellence in Care and Professionalism. These are moments I'll always treasure, not because of the recognition itself, but because of what they represent: the families I was trusted to care for, and the births I was privileged to be part of.

Over the years, I developed a particular passion for home births, including home birth after caesarean (HBAC) and supporting women who are birthing outside of standard guidelines. I've also built up deep experience in complex feeding journeys, including supporting mothers of twins, babies with additional needs, and mothers navigating mental health or social challenges.

All of this experience now underpins everything I do at Guided By You Midwifery.

Why I Founded Guided By You Midwifery

I founded Guided By You Midwifery because I believe wholeheartedly that every woman, regardless of background or circumstance, deserves access to kind, personalised, expert midwifery care. The kind of care where you're not a number on a list, but a whole person whose preferences, fears, and hopes are heard and respected.

The name Guided By You says it all. This is your pregnancy. Your birth. Your postnatal journey. My role is to walk alongside you, offering evidence-based guidance, professional expertise, and genuine, compassionate support, all guided by what you need and want.

I am fully insured and NMC-registered, and I work across Hertfordshire, Essex and London, bringing care directly to you, in the comfort of your own home and on your terms.

What One-to-One Private Midwifery Care Looks Like With Me

When you choose me as your private midwife, here's what you can expect:

•        A dedicated, known midwife from your very first appointment to your final postnatal visit, no strangers, no starting over

•        Unhurried, in-depth antenatal appointments where you have the time and space to ask every question

•        A deeply personalised birth plan, developed together, that truly reflects your values and wishes

•        Full home birth support, including HBAC (home birth after caesarean) and birthing outside of standard guidelines

•        Hospital birth support, working alongside your NHS team to ensure you feel informed and respected

•        Compassionate postnatal care at home, including breastfeeding and bottle-feeding support, newborn checks, and emotional wellbeing

•        Direct access to me, day or night, because labour doesn't keep office hours

•        Care that is always led by the latest evidence, and always centred on you

Supporting All Birth Choices — Including the Complex Ones

One of the things I'm most passionate about is supporting women who are navigating more complex or non-standard birth choices. Whether you're planning a home birth after caesarean, or simply choosing a path that falls outside of standard NHS guidelines, I believe you deserve a midwife who will respect your autonomy and provide expert, non-judgmental support.

I've supported many women through HBAC, helping them process previous birth trauma, develop informed birth plans, and experience the empowering, positive birth they deserve. If this resonates with you, please do reach out. You are not alone, and you absolutely deserve care that meets you where you are.

Feeding Support: Because Every Journey Is Unique

The postnatal period can bring its own set of challenges, and feeding is often at the heart of them. Whether you're breastfeeding, combination feeding, expressing, or bottle feeding, I offer compassionate, practical feeding support tailored to you and your baby.

I have extensive experience supporting complex feeding journeys, including mothers of twins, babies with tongue-tie or additional needs, and those who have faced significant feeding difficulties. There is no right or wrong way to feed your baby, only the way that works best for you both. I'll be by your side to help you find that path.

Areas I Cover: Private Midwifery Across Hertfordshire, Essex & London

I'm based in Essex and currently provide private midwifery care across Hertfordshire, Essex, and London. Whether you're in Loughton, Ruislip, Wanstead, Stratford, Pinner, Harpenden or Barnet I'd love to hear from you.

I bring all appointments to you, in your home, your space, and on your schedule. Because great care should come to you, not the other way around.

What My Clients Say

"After a difficult first birth on the NHS, Emma was a complete game changer. Through her support I was able to have an incredibly positive birth, feeling safe and comfortable the whole time." — Alix

Reading words like these never gets old. Knowing that the care I give has made a real difference to a family, that's everything. That is exactly why I do this work.

Ready to Take the First Step?

If you're pregnant or thinking about your maternity care options in Hertfordshire, Essex or London, I'd love to chat. I offer a free, no-obligation initial consultation so we can get to know each other, talk through your options, and see if we're the right fit.

Whether you're planning a home birth, exploring your options after a previous caesarean, wanting more personalised antenatal or postnatal care, or simply craving the reassurance of a known, trusted midwife, I'm here for you.

Your journey. Your birth. My support.

Get in touch today: emma@guidedbyyoumidwifery.com