For Esthea Wortham, the reason behind starting up a business to support new mums and mums-to-be came about after witnessing the significant gaps in postnatal care that a privatised service could better address.
“After a decade of working within the NHS, predominantly as a community midwife, I recognised that NHS workers are often constrained by resources, particularly in postnatal care, leaving many new mothers feeling unsupported during an especially vulnerable time,” she explained.
“Mothers need more than just clinical checks; they require encouragement, reassurance and nurturing in their new role. The societal pressures on new mothers today are immense, impacting their mental health. Inspired by the personalised, comprehensive care of the 1950’s Call the Midwife era, I founded The Country Midwife to provide holistic support to the new families in our community.”
When asked what she means by a holistic approach, Esthea answers, “Childbirth is as much an emotional and psychological journey as it is a physical one. Our holistic approach includes addressing the emotional aspects of childbirth, providing a listening ear and offering guidance and reassurance throughout the process, without judgement.
“Our journeys into motherhood might all start off differently but ultimately, we are all facing the same challenges, juggling many balls in our new role with the added mix of huge emotional changes which take place in becoming a new mother.
“We understand that a mother’s mental health is crucial to her overall wellbeing and the health of her baby. By building a supportive network around each mother, we ensure that she never feels alone or overwhelmed. Our care extends beyond pregnancy and birth, fostering long-term relationships that provide ongoing support and nurturing.”
The result is that The Country Midwife offers a range of services that include –
- Postnatal Support
- One to one Antenatal Classes
- Group Hypnobirthing Classes
- Breastfeeding Support
- Pre-birth Education
From her wide experience of midwifery, Esthea is able to identify the prime factors that cause concern and stress for mums-to-be and new mums.
“Our bespoke packages mean you get to decide on how much support you require. Whether that be daytime visits, evening support or overnight. We have experience of working with families whose babies have been in NICU and require ongoing therapy at home and families who have welcomed multiples or premature babies.
“This support happens right where new mums feel most at ease—in the cosy comfort of their own homes. Picture this: no need to get out of bed or even change out of those comfy pyjamas! Forget about time pressures and the hassle of leaving the house. Instead, our midwives come to you, ready to lend a hand with meal prep, laundry and getting your baby to sleep (yes, we know that sounds like magic).
“It’s like having a fairy godmother for those first whirlwind weeks of motherhood, complete with a nurturing touch and a sprinkle of practical advice!”
Esthea and her team at The Country Midwife typically support families within a 15 mile radius of Bath. However, with new midwives soon to be added to the team, this coverage is set to increase, with one-to-one educational support and advice services are also offered online via video call.