ABumpsABaby
As registered midwives who have practised within community and hospital settings, we have at least 50 years midwifery experience between us. We love our work and would love to be able to offer our expertise to help you prepare for your own special birth experience.
At ABumpsABaby we believe that antenatal education helps to inform and empower mothers and parents. Our childbirth preparation courses help to give more understanding of the process of giving birth, and the options available. Also, it is about knowing your own strength, finding coping stratagies that work for you and then going on to form realistic expectations around childbirth.
This philosophy has very much underpinned why we started ABumpsABaby. In addition, we believe that creating a strong support network is invaluable and can form the beginning of lifelong friendships.
Mo Blatch:
Founder of ABumpsABaby.
I have been fortunate to enjoy a career as a midwife for the last 23 years. It has meant a lot to me over these years to be able to offer support and help prepare mothers and fathers for the amazing journey towards birth and beyond. During my time as a midwife I have worked for a short time in Ethiopa, I have worked as a senior midwifery sister and a supervisor of midwives within the hospital setting and for the latter half of those years 23 years as a community midwife, with all the wonderful diversity of experience that has provided. Leading antenatal classes has always been an integral part of my work as a community midwife and one that I particularly enjoy. More recent cutbacks have meant not being able to provide the type of classes I feel parents want and need. Setting up ABumpsABaby has given me the opportunity to do something I love.
Prior to midwifery I was a secretary and then trained as a nurse in London where I lived for a few years. I developed my hobby in singing and guitar playing on the folk club circuit there, and currently I sing with a jazz/soul band. Home life and church life together take up all the rest of my spare time.
Mel Sanders:
I worked as a nurse in the Brighton area for 13 years before re-training to become a midwife in 1999, a decision I have never regretted and wished I'd made years earlier. I feel really privileged to share in this incredibly special time in women's lives.
I am married and have two sons aged 16 and 20, the youngest was born at home on Christmas eve – making the midwives rather late home to wrap their presents.
In my teens I could be found on stage performing musical theatre for an amateur dramatics group and I think that side of me comes to the fore when teaching antenatal classes which I really enjoy, although I promise not to sing. These days I am no longer on stage but still have a musical side recently learning to play the saxophone. My other hobbies include walking and I have taken on the challenge of the 3 peaks this year and survived. I also enjoy playing badminton, reading and cooking (and make a great carrot cake).
Louise Davey:
Though originally from Derbyshire, I have now lived in Sussex for over 20 years. I am married and have a daughter and a son, both in their late teens.
I have had several diverse careers, prior to training to be a Midwife, all have which have given me a great deal of life experience. However being a Midwife and being involved with prospective and new parents, at this very special time in their lives; is infinitely the most satisfying and rewarding job I have ever job I have ever done.
I have many varied interests, such as walking my dog in the Sussex countryside, gardening, reading and travel. I also greatly love spending time with my family, friends and meeting new people.
Yvette Eggleton:
I have lived in Sussex for over twenty years. I am married with two wonderful teenage daughters. I worked as a nurse in Brighton for twelve years and qualified as a midwife in 2003.
My midwifery career has been amazing, I have had the privilige to be involved with hundreds of births, each one unique. I have a passion for active labour and birth and particually enjoy homebirths and water births. My current role as a community midwife based in West Sussex allows me to fulfill this passion.
I have taught NHS antenatal classes for four years and look forward to sharing my knowledge and experience with you.