Midwife at heart: meet Stephanie Rex

One of the true high points for newly parents and expectant mums, is our Baby Days with midwife Stephanie Rex (this year available from September 13 to 28). Treat yourself to a fabulous getaway, while learning valuable tips and tricks for pregnancy, childbirth and the postnatal period. Stephanie offers a wide variety of activities and is also available for one-to-one sessions. The programme includes theoretical workshops, postnatal exercises and aqua power courses for expectant and newly mums, baby swimming and massage courses, baby yoga, crawling lessons and sound journeys for babies.

Stephanie looks back on more than 20 years as a midwife, becoming herself a mum to a daughter in 2016. Continuous professional training - including baby massage, baby and children's swimming courses, aqua fit, paediatric emergencies and much more – has allowed her to steadily expand her expertise and services. As a result, she now draws on an impressive wealth of experience and knowledge, ensuring that her sessions, workshops and consultations can be tailored to the individual needs of mothers-to-be, parents, babies and children. She is particularly distinguished by her holistic approach and her ability to closely focus on each person she works with. Most importantly, being a midwife is not just a profession but a vocation that she loves and truly embraces!

How did you end up becoming a midwife?

Back when I was 19, I had the opportunity to complete an internship with a midwife, allowing me to familiarise myself with the different facets of this profession. This experience inspired me to explore the field further, so I decided to do another year of internship - this time in a delivery room, where I witnessed all kinds of births. From that moment on, there was no doubt in my mind. I knew I wanted to be a midwife.

What makes your work so special?

Being able to support women during this very unique period of their lives - both during pregnancy and postpartum - is something truly special to me. It's a wonderful yet sometimes challenging new phase of life. I find it incredibly fulfilling to help women, families and children, providing them with tips, guidance and a helping hand – not only in good times but especially during more difficult stages and situations.

What I also love about my job is that I get to work with women as well as families, newborns and small children and that the work as a midwife is very varied. Whether self-employed or employed, whether in a large clinic, in a small practice or in a very intimate setting with home births or home visits, or holding courses and workshops - the opportunities are really wide-ranging.

Can you think of an experience in your work as a midwife that has had a particular impact on you?

I have had many experiences - both beautiful and sad - that have left a profound impact on me over the past 20 years as a midwife. There are two particularly lovely ones I would like to share briefly.

One was a home birth that happened quite quickly in the living room. Shortly afterwards, the newborns’ siblings joined us and the whole family lay together in bed, welcoming and getting to know their newest member. As midwives, we stepped back, allowing the family to savour this special moment together. A little while later, the two older children came to us and asked when they would finally have breakfast. So, I went to get some buns and together we all set the table and had a nice breakfast together.

The other was a birth in the hospital’s car park, when I was working in the delivery room. The father had tried calling the hospital several times on the way there, but always ended up on hold. Just before the couple arrived, the phone in the delivery room rang and the father was frantically explaining that the baby was coming, yet they were still in the car. My colleague and I immediately rushed to the parking lot, where the baby was almost there. Ever since that experience, I always recommend that expecting mothers save the direct phone number of the delivery room, rather than the hospital’s main line.

Which messages would you particularly like to pass on to pregnant women and newly parents?

I believe the most important thing is to recognise how special this time is, right from the start of your pregnancy. Nowadays, life is extremely fast-paced. Many pregnant women work until just before birth, while also managing the household and family life. If they already have children, subsequent pregnancies often tend to be rushed through alongside daily life. So, my advice is: whether it's your first, second or third child - every expectant mother should take conscious time for herself and her unborn baby.

And the same applies after birth. A perfectly tidy home or looking stylish as a newly mum, these things do not matter – despite what social media suggest. What truly matters is to consciously enjoy time with your newborn. After all, babies benefit far more from a calm, relaxed mum and family than from a spotless home. Many parents first need to learn to slow down and let go of their precisely planned and fast-paced daily routine.