Testimonials
A good midwife is not only someone who delivers a baby. She is a midwife to a woman's transformation to motherhood, and a man's transformation to fatherhood.
She is midwife to all the dreams and hopes surrounding the coming to being of that child, and to the process of maturing and growth that is involved for both parents.
~ Ina May Gaskin
Dear Mandi,
Thank you so much for helping us have the birth experience that we had envisioned for Jonah. It was an amazing journey for our family and the birth itself was transformative and healing in so many ways. Thank you also for your support and friendship over those many months, and a big thank you for taking the time and energy to engage with and include our younger son Kaelin at every visit. We are so blessed to have you not just as our midwife, but also as our friend.
Love Patti, Stephan, Kaelin and Jonah
xxx
In my pregnancy I had a few fears, but Mandi helped me overcome those in each of our visits with her beautiful advice and amazing books! By the time my waters broke, I was ready.
I called my midwives (who were busy finishing up at another birth) and they told me to relax and assured me they would be here soon.
The other midwife arrived first; she really helped me to keep calm and it was so nice and reassuring to have her there. Shortly after Mandi arrived and the two of them and my husband, Janus raced to get everything ready for the arrival of our new baby.
Things happened so fast, and before we could even check how I was progressing the baby's head was showing!
In a few pushes, at 4am a beautiful baby boy was born! Our second son! Ezra! I couldn't believe I only had a 5 hour labour!
I'm sure it happened so fast because I was in my own comfy space. I now know that I wouldn't want to do it any other way.
Homebirth is definitely something that I would recommend. I really loved the fact that I could rest in my own bed after the birth, and when Benjamin woke up, he met his brother and he could share the first golden hours as a family together.
Thanks Mandi, for your wisdom, your loving motherly support and being there for us all of the way.
~ Landi, Janus, and Benjamin and Ezra
I have had all 3 of my babies with Mandi. There is no other way to do it!
Midwives rock! Hard.
~ Liesel and Moog, Tica, Miko, Lua
Two 2013 Eden Natural Birth babies: Lua and Ezra
“To me, birth is a spiritual process, not a medical procedure.” Those were the words which Mandi said to me in our very first conversation over the phone, and as soon as I heard this, I knew that she was the ideal person to help me birth my children.
That was in 2010, when I fell pregnant for the first time. Through the monthly consultations at my house, I was more and more assured that I'd chosen the perfect person to care for me and my unborn child, and that having a homebirth was the best option for us too. I loved how Mandi was so interested in our lives, and how much time she spent checking our health, even chatting to my unborn child and giving me tummy massages. She made me feel so cared about and supported in every way.
Lily was born at home, in water, on the 26th May 2010 weighing 4.08kg. I was in active labour for thirteen hours, and again, I felt incredibly safe and cared for the entire way through the birth. Either Mandi, the supporting doctor, Gauri, or my husband, Graeme, massaged me through the entire experience. What stood our for me was how gentle and supportive Mandi was when I needed her to be, and how strong and encouraging she was when I needed her to be. I felt so empowered by my
first birth.
Of course, as soon as I fell pregnant with our second child, it was Mandi who we asked to help us again. She was extremely knowledgable and highly professional which ensured that I felt calm and capable throughout the entire process.
Matthew was born on the 18th July 2013, also at home, ten days past his due date. I'm sure anyone who's gone this far past their due date understands what an emotional time it can be, and words cannot explain how grateful I am to Mandi for all that she did to help me ensure that we could have another homebirth. She went way above and beyond the call of duty, and in the end, I had yet another beautiful natural birth at home. This time to a 4.78kg baby!
I believe with all my heart and soul that women are meant to feel empowered by their birthing experience. It's an opportunity to find a place within yourself where you feel your full strength, where you connect to something much bigger than yourself, where you give your child a natural and peaceful entry into this world. This is what Mandi ensured I experienced with the births of my children. I will forever feel grateful to her for this, and and connected to her through all that we have shared.
Tons of love,
Sarah Jane and Graeme, Lily and Matthew
~ 2013
What can I say about Mandi? Her attention, love and support through my pregnancy gave me the confidence and strength to deliver my beautiful baby girl naturally. Her monthly and weekly visits were thorough and special. If it was info or a laugh or a cry I needed, she was there for me.
We had a water birth in hospital and I can’t wait to have my next one all the same way. We love you Mandi and thank you for making every month, day, and hour special.
Michelle, Martin, Annabelle
2014
Dear Mandi,
Thank you for your loving commitment in helping us bring Jordan into this world. I felt safe and confident each step of the way and in the moment he needed you most your knowledge and gift helped him draw his first breath. We are forever grateful for your extrodinary miracle.
May you be blessed as you continue this important work.
Thank you so much.
Love
Ronel, Martin, and Jordan Hill
2014
They say that pregnancy and especially giving birth is a rite of passage from woman to mother.
So why not make it as special as possible for yourself?
Giving birth to my daughter Sofia was the most exceptional experience of my life so far. Choosing to make it a water birth at home was the best decision I could have made to set the stage for this memorable event.
I remember Mandi remarking that I must have been one of the politest labouring women she had ever attended to… That’s probably because I said “thank you” and “that’s nice” a lot…
It was my way of expressing the genuine gratitude I felt towards everyone and everything that was making this incredible occurrence possible…
When else do you ever have 4 people completely focused on your well-being and attending to your every whim?
On what other occasion do you get to lounge around for several hours in the comfort of your most familiar surroundings, soothing candle-light burning all around, your carefully chosen music softly playing in the back ground?
At what other event do you get to have luxurious lavender-scented massage oil rubbed on your back or a glass of vitamin water gently fed to you?
When else do you get to have a jacuzzi sized blow-up pool set-up in the middle of your lounge and immerse yourself in the warm embrace of its comforting waters?
When, other than now, do you get to observe the most intricate dance of pleasure and pain playing itself out inside of you?
When else do you get to shout the most outlandish sounds from your lips at any volume you choose, knowing its completely okay?
Or get to hang your whole body weight from the strong supporting arms of your husband?
At no other time do you get the opportunity to completely let go of your mind and feel every inch of your labouring body while pushing ahead, body and soul, into the raw miracle that brings forth life itself.
And when do you get to feel a deep and profound sense of accomplishment for a task well done?
Or experience a heartfelt sense of love and connectedness for everyone and everything around you?
When else do you get to gaze upon the heavenly face of an angel?
A deep-seated Thank You once again to all the beautiful and competent midwives that supported and guided me through this special time in my life! Your contribution to our life story will forever be etched into the memories of the night that transformed me from woman to mother.
Irene, Elton, and Sofia
2014
Dear Mandi and Mandy
Ngiyabonga; that is how we say “thank you” in Zulu. Pregnancy and childbirth is a significant milestone in a woman’s life and I am truly blessed that I had you to see me through this transition into motherhood. As a first time mommy all I wanted was a memorable natural birth experience; a moment that I can look back on with fondness, warm fuzzy feelings and womanly pride. I got exactly what I had hoped for.
I first met Mandi and Mandy when they were hosting a workshop for expecting couples. By the end of that session, my husband (who had been a bit uncertain about water birth) was completely sold; he was particularly pleased that the dads also got practical advice on how to help their partners during labour. Little did he know that he would be putting that advice to use sooner than he thought.
I went into labour on Christmas Eve (2 weeks before my due date) and despite the horrible timing my midwives were ready for action by the time we arrived at 23h00. When Mandi examined me she found that I was already 10 cm dilated; my baby was due any minute! I still marvel at peaceful and serene ambience that they maintained throughout labour; there was no needless chattering only words of encouragement and clear instructions in calm, soothing tones. Our son Yenzi was born at 1 am on Christmas Day, and I can truly say I received two special gifts this Christmas: my baby boy and an exquisite natural birth experience.
Many thanks from Phindi and Thokozani
2015
On Wednesday the 16th December at 21:13 our daughter Cassidy Angela Snow was born to us. I am not going to go into the entire TMI story. What I will say is that without The Mandi’s - Amanda-Leigh Busson and Mandy Lilly from Eden Natural Birth (or as we like to call them when in action THE SUPER MANDI) my unmedicated Home Water Birth After Cesarean would not have been possible. After 21 hours my beautiful girl was born. It was a long road with slow progress and many points where the towel could have been thrown in. Between THE SUPER MANDI and my amazing, wonderful, awesome husband they kept me focused and gave me the strength to trust in my body and the phenomenal process of natural labour. It was single handedly the most powerful experience of my life. I caught my own daughter. The most beautiful words I have ever heard were from the lips of Mandi when she said “Catch your baby Lisa” I looked down reached in and pulled up my gift from the universe. Cassidy Angela Snow. Words fail and will forever fail to express my joy and exaltation at that moment. When I took her to my chest I felt connected to everything, everywhere. It is pure love and it is eternal. Mandi and Mandy…. A million times thank you. Ben and I will love you both forever and you will always be a part of the perfect family that you helped us create. Blessings on you both. All of our love – The 4 Snows XXXX
2015
Testimonial of a beautiful, natural birth at home
We firmly believe that Pregnancy and Birth is a normal and natural life event and should be undisturbed.
Choosing a home water-birth is one of the best decisions I've ever made in my life!
We are truly grateful for Mandi Busson and Mandy Lilly for monitoring my physical and psychological well-being during my pregnancy and helping me with my transformation to motherhood.
Thank you for including my husband Jeandré every step of the way.
A day we will never forget. The day a conscious, alert baby boy was born. I never felt more in-touch with my own body. Joshua was born on the 4th of February at 3:10 am. We didn't get to do the whole bath, breathe and relax thing as Joshua was in a hurry to meet us. My first contractions started at 1:07 am, at 2:00 am my waters broke and at 3:10 am, I caught Joshua myself, unassisted, un-medicated, in the shower with my amazing, wonderful, calm, collected and supportive husband by my side. (Unusually fast for a first-time mom!) The midwives couldn't make it in time, but kept my husband calm over the phone and reassured him that they're on the way. They arrived just after our cute little Joshua's birth and helped us make sure that we're all okay and safe.
The midwives' instruction and constant reassurance gave me the confidence, strength and courage to deliver our beautiful baby boy, Joshua naturally. Thank you for your guidance, love, support, encouragement, positive affirmation and education throughout this incredible process.
Feeling empowered and immensely blessed! Thank you Mandy and Mandi!
Homebirth with a midwife is most definitely something that we would recommend.
Love J, J and J
My amazing midwives made the birth I always dreamed of possible. My amazing hbac was achieved with my not so little guy weighing 4.62kg! Mandi and Raven were so kind and supportive and helped me every step of the way. They were calm in quite a stressful situation and are highly skilled in what they do. I wouldn't change a thing. I love my midwives, and because of them i achieved my beautiful and healing birth. Thank you Eden Natural Birth! You changed my life.
~Carina 2016
Words can not adequately describe the experience we had having a home birth. Jean was not sure at first if he wanted us to have a home birth but after meeting Raven (our midwife)and listening to all the amazing positives of a home birth and after the very informative workshop Mandi (our midwife) conducted both Jean and I were convinced this was the way to go. As a result we did not feel nervous for the birth. And post the experience we are SO pleased we took this route - what a wonderful way to bring our son into this world. Jean and I found our midwives Mandi and Raven to be absolutely AMAZING - extremely professional, yet extremely warm and caring, installing confidence in both of us during birth and after. As a result the birth was not traumatic instead it was one of the most powerful experiences of our lives. We all felt extremely cared for and looked after at all times, and we learnt so many wonderful tips how to care for our baby post birth which has made the world of difference. The visits were never rushed but always so personal taking care of our every need. The birth of our son would not have been the same without our midwives. We feel 100% confident in Eden Natural Birth and look forward to having them bringing our next child into the world.
~Sandra, Jean, Raven Dei 2016
Where to begin with the most incredible and amazing birth experience...firstly the midwives, Mandy X 2, the both of them were absolutely out of this world. Despite having 2 births to deal with on the same day, I never once felt neglected or that their attention and focus was not fully on me. They both knew exactly when to encourage me and what to say at the right time to just help me through each process of Labour. They were so caring and gentle with me post birth and absolute champions with a newborn, helping me latch and showing a first time mom the basics! The post birth visits have also been the best in settling my uncertainty and giving us new parents a whoosh of confidence! I am taken aback at the balance of professionalism and yet sincere care and love that these midwives work with. Words can't thank you enough for how much you have helped me in this transition of becoming a mom and I will forever be grateful! Without a doubt Eden Natural birth is a great midwifery practice that I would highly recommend to any momma-to-be!
~Natasha, John, & Thalia 2016
