Testimonials

Testimonials

Lata & Mayur

The moment I met Odette and chose her to be my independent midwife, I knew I had made the right decision.

From our first meeting, she was extremely knowledgeable and reassuring. Having Odette made my life so much more easier and I learnt so much from her years of wisdom not only from her midwifery experience but from her as a mother. Odette was always available for advice whenever I needed her, ante-natally and post-natally.

Had Odette not been present at my labour and birth, I know that my experience would have been so different! From the moment we were in hospital her calm, caring and warm persona helped me to relax and enjoy what was about to come! Odette was with me every step of the way - from giving me massages to talking me through the actual birth and getting me through it. She was so wonderful to have in the hospital with me and it was lovely to have her come home for my postnatal care, I always looked forward to her visits.

Having given birth to a singleton and then twins, I knew there would be no one else (apart from my husband) that I wanted by my side. Odette's positivity, ability to take control of any situation and caring nature is something I will never forget. She honestly was my lady knight in shining armour and I would have no hesitation in recommending her.

Jacki & Manuel

Like many first-time moms, I felt fairly overwhelmed by the prospect of childbirth and I didn’t know how to navigate the options (public vs private, doula vs midwife, birthing centre vs hospital…) It all seemed so daunting at first. We had decided to give birth at UCLH given it offered the option of a birthing centre as well as access to first-rate labour ward and neonatal care. My main concern, however, was that I would not have consistent midwife care throughout pregnancy, nor would I know which midwife would be on call on the day of the birth. So, we opted to supplement the NHS care with a private midwife when I was around 32 weeks.

Odette was recommended to me by another midwife who said she would have hired her if it was her own birth - for me, this was the best recommendation I could have received! When my husband and I met Odette we instantly knew that she was the steady hand we were looking for.

In the final weeks before birth, she helped us to prepare both mentally and physically. She shared a wealth of knowledge on natural remedies for pregnancy-related conditions and pre-birth prep. She supported my beliefs in natural childbirth and encouraged me to try hypnobirthing. This proved to be an amazing aid in achieving the calm, natural birth we dreamed of.

Both Odette and Nadia were wonderful during the birth and we felt completely calm and secure by their presence. With them by our side, we were able to remain at home for the majority of the first stage of labor and they helped make the transition to the birthing centre as smooth as possible without interfering in the dilation process. Odette and Nadia were well known by the other midwives at UCLH and were our sole caretakers throughout. Alongside my husband, they encouraged me through the final stages of labor and with their help, our beautiful son was born 10 hours later, with no drugs or interventions.The smallest things can make a world of difference when you are in labor and I can honestly say that I couldn't have done it without them.

The post-natal care which Odette and Nadia offered was wonderful and completely put me at ease in those first few weeks. They taught us a lot, and as sleep-deprived first-time parents we found this to be hugely valuable.

Our birth was the most moving, empowering and magical experience of my life and certainly wouldn’t have been possible without their involvement. I couldn't recommend their services more - they are caring, experienced and trustworthy - everything you seek in an excellent midwife. If my second son had been born in the UK I can assure you they would have been by my side once again.

Maya & Baby Benjamin

I can’t recommend Odette highly enough. She helped me with all pre and post birth stages and was wonderful. She gave me confidence and reassurance and was available by phone or in person any time at all. 

Odette is enormously experienced which is hugely important, she has seen it all before and is full of excellent and sensible advice that only years of experience can provide. She and Nadia are absolutely lovely people, I couldn’t have hoped for a better team to guide me both before the birth and in those early days when I had no idea what I was doing, and they absolutely did!

Madalina

Odette is a wonderful person that guided me lovingly through this journey. She helped me have a healthy, natural and confident birth, just like I was imagining. She has been instrumental not only for me but also for my husband. Before the birth, she walked us through patiently all the aspects of pregnancy. It is truly valuable to have a person closely monitoring you throughout this process and her weekend visits ensured my husband also got to be part of it all. 

When labour started, she got to our place very shortly after my husband called her in the middle of the night and "held our hand" from then to birth - this is when I truly realised (if I wasn't fully aware before) how great it was to have Odette there with us. This is the moment when you feel truly exposed, her experience and assurances were priceless. Our daughter was born at UCLH in the birth pool - with Odette's knowledge of the system, she helped us quickly get through the bureaucracy and into the birth centre; she created a positive atmosphere working professionally with the midwifes there but at the same time encouraging me and making sure I got the best care. 

I found Odette really helpful after birth as well, both in terms of breastfeeding support and monitoring our daughter's development. I truly recommend Odette to everyone!

Hari and Simone

Odette has this incredible aura of calmness and confidence, which is exactly what my husband and I needed when we first met her for our initial consultation. We always wanted a home birth and found reassurance by being looked after Odette with her wealth of experience as a midwife, which she gained in the past 20 years through 500+ births'.

Having said that, Odette isn't just any midwife with great credentials and working experience but equally as important is her extraordinarily radiant heart, which made me feel secure and looked after during the most humbling moments of my life. She has a true gift in communicating her faith and knowledge of the fact that your body and the baby know exactly what to do, which enabled me to simply let go. For my husband, Odette was vital in helping him in an unspoken way to trust in himself as the father of our child and to take care of me by guiding me every step of the way until our beautiful baby boy Eaden was born.

Odette will always be a part of our lives and we will always be indebted to her.

Rachel

I met Odette near the end of my pregnancy and she immediately became indispensable, she instantly made me feel at ease and in good hands.

Odette was on hand at all times to offer advice and help and talk through all concerns, whether at one of our appointments or on the phone. Having midwife checks done at home made the process a lot easier and more relaxed. There was no rush and I had the time to ask all the questions I needed.

My birth did not go to plan, i had hoped for a natural birth but I was 2 weeks overdue and after much deliberating, was induced. However, throughout this Odette was there to support me, explain the processes and help me making the decisions which were right for me, regarding my care. In hospital I found that the doctors often did not explain what was happening, so they spoke in doctors talk. I am so thankful I had Odette there to talk through and explain everything that was happening.

As soon as we were home from hospital, Odette was again there to make sure we were all ok and to offer advice and support.

She was absolutely invaluable.

Nadine

Odette saved our sanity. Three and a half weeks before my due date, I was happily playing a game of scrabble with my sister who had come along to visit me with her 18-month-old son, and my contractions started. Of course, I didn't realise that they might be contractions. They were neither sustained nor regular. I called Odette, (my sister's suggestion) who was in the middle of buying a washing machine at Brent Cross on a Saturday afternoon. She spoke to me, and said, "You don't sound like you're in labour but I'll come over anyway". 20 minutes later she was there, and the contractions were getting more rapid. She checked me and I was already dilated 5cm. We started ringing hospitals. UCLH where we were due to go, were full, so were Queen Mary's, the Royal Free and the Whittington. There was no point looking at ones any further away as the baby was coming fast. 

Odette in her incredibly calm manner suggested that we should just have baby at home. She was well equipped. She even had a washing machine now to do the laundry afterwards! "If you just get in an ambulance and go to UCLH, you'll either have the baby en route or in the waiting room. I've seen that happen too many times in the past". We trusted her implicitly and a few minutes later, baby Anis was born- (And how much nicer to sleep in your own bed rather than being on a hospital ward?)

Thanks Odette for your wisdom and help, making our first birthing experience so special

Amelia & Rachel

Like all expectant first-time mothers, when I first learnt I was pregnant I was excited but apprehensive about the birth. I signed-up for a Hypno-Birthing course to enable to me to prepare myself and also so that I could have a drug-free labour.

During this course, I received a recommendation which transformed all of my birthing experiences; a recommendation for Odette and her team.

From the moment we first met, Odette guided us through the journey of pregnancy, labour and birth.

I wanted to have a home-birth but my partner was unsure. Odette gave both of us the confidence to make this decision. My first labour started at home but I chose to go into hospital to deliver. Odette was there every step of the way and made the hospital room feel like I was still in the comfort of my own home. She made us both relaxed, happy and even laughing! 

Odette's post-birth appointments were like a visit from a guardian angel. All first time parents should receive her reassurance and support.

My second labour, assisted by Odette, resulted in the home birth I wished for; quiet and peaceful. My partner, the baby and I were able to get straight into bed afterwards.

Odette has been an essential part of such special moments of bringing our children into this world. With every visit, she listened, advised, soothed, and instructed all in good measure. I trust her implicitly and am signing her up for number three!
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