Sage Midwifery, Surrey BC Canada

My first appointment with Sage Midwifery went very well. I met Gillian and she was fantastic. I think it would be breaking confidentiality for me to tell you why I like her - details she shared with me about people in her life who had experienced similar health issues as I had. I'm sure I can say that she had a general warmth about her. When I told her that I experienced low iron problems when my ferritin levels were low, she seemed to believe me and acknowledged it. However, she either did not write it down or the other midwives chose to ignore it. But I digress.

My next appointment was with Rosemary. She conducted my "internal examination." I have to admit it was a bit weird having a complete stranger perform the exam. I usually at least know the doctor or midwife from previous appointments. But I'm not shy and Rosemary was absolutely charming. I instantly adored her. She shared personal stories that made me feel like I - and my children - were in good hands. All of my children (not just the one I was currently carrying).

One thing that bothered me a bit during my appointment with Rosemary, was that my children - aged 5 and 10 - were left in a room with a movie to watch while I was in the nurses office. The TV that is used for kids videos is placed precariously on an un-sturdy table that could be knocked over very easily.

I don't consider this safe at all, as the children are left alone in the room. They are told to be careful and not touch the TV, thereby putting the responsibility on the children for their own safety (as well as the safety of the TV set). I was nervous to leave my son as he tends to be rambunctious and rebellious.

The last midwife I went to had toys and books in the waiting room, where the receptionist was on hand to assist them if needed. I much prefer that setup to the one at Sage Midwifery.

At 12 weeks, I phoned the office with concerns about the amount and strength of the fetal movement I was feeling. I spoke with Gillian and she said it could mean my dates are off or maybe I'm having twins.

My next experience was with Debbie. At 14 weeks, for about four days, I actually felt the baby move from the outside. I'd heard of this occurring with other women due to twins or placenta placement.

I phoned the office again expressing my concerns. Specifically, I wanted to know if I was having twins or if this should be something to be concerned about. Debbie phoned me back and was quite abrupt with me on the phone. She told me flat out that I couldn't possibly be feeling that much movement at 14 weeks.

I was appalled. I thought I'd chosen a midwifery practice for the main reason of avoiding medical professionals who treat you like you know nothing about your own body. And I said as much: "I have had two children before and I know what it feels like when they're moving inside me. Just because it's something you've never come across before does not mean that it doesn't happen."

Debbie apologized and offered for me to come into the clinic to be measured if I liked. I accepted the invitation, adding that I had been feeling especially tired and lightheaded and believed that my iron might be low.

At the clinic, Debbie was very nice and apologized for the disagreement on the phone. She measured me and assured me that my measurements, so far, did not indicate I was having twins. I thanked her, then mentioned again the tiredness and lightheadedness. (I've been struggling with low iron since going gluten free and I recognized the symptoms.)

Debbie assured me that my "hemoglobin levels were fine" and therefore I could not possibly be low iron. (She was referring to tests that had been done eight weeks previous.) I explained how I became symptomatic when my ferritin was low. I was already taking an iron supplement that I'd been on before getting pregnant, but hadn't increased the dosage.

Debbie assured me that all pregnant women feel tired and lightheaded at this stage of pregnancy. And she sent me on my way.

Over the next few weeks, I became more tired and more lightheaded. I was struggling through each day. People would say it was because of my age or because I was tired from caring for my out-of-control son on top of being old and pregnant. But I knew it was not normal. I had been pregnant twice before. And before THIS pregnancy began, I had been feeling healthier and more energized than I ever had in my life.

I waited until my next midwife appointment - this time with Janine - and brought up my concerns again. Janine was a little different. I didn't know what to make of her. She just sat there and nodded her head at me while I explained my symptoms. She hemmed and hawed. Then she said nothing. I did not feel heard or taken seriously at all. But I wasn't sure. She was just too hard to read. I also got the feeling my kids irritated her. Not the kind of feeling I expect in a midwifery office.

But Janine did something really amazing. She referred me to a program in Surrey called Options - Healthiest Babies Possible. (A really fantastic service that I will write a review about as well.)

Janine did not send me for tests. I wonder if there was a note in my file from Debbie that said: "Annie thinks she is low iron but she's not. Just humour her." At least, that's how it felt. I left the office feeling deflated and irritated. But my next appointment would be with Gillian. I thought she would likely take me seriously.

The problem was that the appointments are every five weeks, and I was getting worse. I knew something was wrong and finally decided to go see my doctor. He sent me for tests, and sure enough, my ferritin levels came back "9" which is low even on the lab results continuum. I am known to be symptomatic when my levels are at 21.

My doctor prescribed me to take double the iron supplements I was currently on and increase my B12 Folate supplement that he also had me on. I took his advice. Later that week, I went to the midwife office and told them about the lab tests so they could order them in. I explained my doctor's advice and left.

The secretary passed on my message to Debbie, I guess. Because about an hour or two later, when they'd received my test results from the lab, Debbie rang me up. This time she was very upset and used an angry voice with me on the phone. She told me that my doctor was giving me "inappropriate care." That my hemoglobin levels were fine and if my ferritin levels were low, then we should find out why I'm not storing iron.

I told her that I am not a medical professional and do not understand what she's trying to tell me. I was merely going on doctor's orders, and he being the only doctor I'd ever found who had helped me feel better.

Debbie went on to berate me for going to my doctor when I have hired a midwife for my prenatal care. And when she was done getting it all off her chest, she told me she had an appointment to attend to.

I was flabbergasted. She called to confront me when she had an appointment coming in? She couldn't even wait till she had a few moments to chat?

Needless to say, I realized in that phone call that Debbie was the last person on earth that I wanted with me in a delivery room, and I fired the midwifery practice immediately.

It has been three weeks since I increased my iron, B12, and folic acid, and I feel fantastic! I am not tired or lightheaded. Debbie had told me that 75% of their clients had the same complaints. Now I wonder if everyone going to Sage Midwifery is walking around with low iron.

My recommendation? Wait until Gillian has her own practice, then go to her. But forget about Sage Midwifery. Too many midwives, not child friendly, and they don't know what they're doing when it comes to health.