“We first met with Virginia Howes from Kent Midwifery Practice when I was 5 months pregnant. Although James agreed he had some concerns about a home birth and had never heard of independent midwives. However I was so determined that we decided to research widely into home birth and also into how independent midwives practise. We booked with Virginia as we believed her to be our closest chance of a home birth”

“We had a planned for a home birth and had booked a great independent midwife called Virginia Howes who I’d been seeing since about January. ….I have extremely positive thoughts and feelings about the birth and am very grateful I had some fantastic support from Kent Midwifery Practice. I would definitely do it this way again”
“Throughout my pregnancy Virginia Howes from Kent Midwifery Practice was a constant source of information and comfort. I’m sure all her clients would agree with me that she came to be more than just a midwife, she became a friend as well"
“I have been involved in homebirth support for 10 years, and I run homebirth.org.uk , and do voluntary work for a midwifery website. I've spoken to many midwives over the years, so when I decided to book with an independent midwife for my fifth baby's birth, I was quite clear about what sort of support I wanted. I chose Virginia Howes because I was impressed with her knowledge and understanding of every childbirth issue we discussed, and also because I liked her positive, no-nonsense attitude. I felt confident that this midwife would not transfer me to hospital without good reason, but if she thought we needed to go, I trusted her to advise me. I felt confident that she would be on mine and my baby's side. I knew that Kay Hardie, the other half of Kent Midwifery Practice, shared this 'can-do' attitude, but in the event I had all my antenatal and labour midwifery care from Virginia. As soon as I booked with their practice, a load lifted from my shoulders; I wouldn't have to explain my circumstanes to every different midwife I met, or have a midwife who I'd never met attend me in labour”