Birth Unit

A new and exciting departure from standard practice will be presented to Life and Advanced clinics for the establishment of a Midwife Birthing Unit in Knysna. Dr Douglas Seton, the only private obstetrician in Knysna / Plettenberg Bay has been working for the last 3 years with practicing midwife Sr Heilet v Endt. The model has developed out of this unique and fruitful association. The region is well served with two excellent specialist neonatal facilities at George and Mosselbay where Dr Seton has been delivering preterm and high risk pregnancies for the past 25 years.

The overwhelming need in the Garden Route, especially Knysna and Plettenberg Bay, is for a gentler, less interventionist approach in an environment where safety is assured. The concept will involve Dr Seton and a local GP providing obstetric guidance and back up for a team of private, registered midwives using home-birthing facilities at the private hospital. Sensitive medical care for the neonates will be provided by Dr Vanessa Viljoen of Tiny to Teen medical practice. Home based care pre and post delivery is a cornerstone of the concept with a relationship of trust being fostered between mother and midwife during the months of pregnancy.

The advent of this unit is likely to make Knysna and Plettenberg Bay the mecca of sensitive midwifery and allow those mothers that so wish a gentler, more natural start to a new life.