FAQs
Genesis Clinic Information
Ahead of our official opening announcement, we’ve created a FAQ with key details on the Genesis Clinic reopening, as well as answers to all your Birthing at Genesis questions.
About Genesis Reopening
When is Genesis Clinic opening?
Please stay up-to-date with announcements here on our website and through our social media channels.
Where is Genesis Clinic located?
You’ll still find Genesis Clinic at our familiar address: 5 Northwold Drive, Saxonwold, Gauteng. We continue to offer the same beautiful and comfortable facilities, including private rooms designed for you and your partner to stay in after welcoming your baby.
How can I arrange a tour of the clinic?
We understand your excitement! However, as we are still in the process of finalising the clinic, tours are not currently available. We will announce tour availability once we are ready.
When will the full list of services be available on your website?
We’re working hard behind the scenes to create a website that will provide you with all the details you need about birthing at Genesis Clinic. The website launch date will be revealed on our social media channels. Make sure you’re following us to be among the first to know!
How can I contact Genesis Clinic?
Full contact information, including phone numbers, will be published on our website once we are fully operational. For any additional enquiries not addressed in this FAQ, please email us at enquiries@genesis-clinic.co.za.
What care does Genesis Clinic provide?
Genesis Clinic is a natural birth facility where each mother births under the care of one of the Independent Midwife practices working from the clinic. You are also supported by one of the affiliated Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, and in the event of a Caesarean birth at Genesis Clinic, the procedure would take place in our on-site operating theatre. Within the nurturing embrace of our family-centred environment at Genesis Clinic, our highly qualified and compassionate nurses will tenderly care for you as you and your partner embark on the beautiful journey of parenthood.
I just found out I am pregnant, when do I start my care?
Congratulations on this beautiful news! Embracing your pregnancy journey with holistic and personalised care starts with connecting with an Independent Midwife who has birthing rights at Genesis Clinic. Reaching out early allows you to establish a supportive relationship and ensures access to their expertise for a nurturing pregnancy and birth experience within the clinic’s environment. (Contact information for midwives with birthing rights will be provided on this website in the near future).
How do I move over my care if I am with another care provider?
If you are currently with another care provider and would like to transfer your care to an Independent Midwife with birthing rights at Genesis Clinic, please get in touch with them directly. (Contact information for midwives with birthing rights will be provided on this website in the near future).
Birthing at Genesis FAQ
I just found out I am pregnant, how do I start my care?
Congratulations on your pregnancy!
Please refer here to learn more about how to start your antenatal care. To begin your care, it’s essential to understand which check-ups, screenings, and scans are recommended throughout your pregnancy. You’ll be offered various tests, such as blood work and ultrasound examinations. These procedures are designed to monitor your health and your baby’s development, helping to identify any potential concerns during your pregnancy or following delivery.
What are the steps involved in transferring my antenatal care to Genesis Clinic?
If you are currently with another care provider and would like to transfer your care to an Independent Midwife with birthing rights at Genesis Clinic, please get in touch with the midwife directly. Please provide your medical records for the Independent Midwife to review.
This is a simple request for a transfer of medical records via email or hard copy from the other practice.
Who will be my primary healthcare provider during labour and birth?
You’ll need to choose an Independent Midwife from the list provided here. Your chosen midwife will be your primary healthcare provider, offering consistent support and guidance throughout your pregnancy. This includes all your check-ups, tests, and routine assessments. Your midwife will also be there to support you through labour and birth, and as you transition into parenthood.
Genesis Clinic specialises in caring for women with low-risk pregnancies. How do you know if you are a good candidate for our care?
To determine if you are low-risk, the Independent Midwife affiliated with Genesis Clinic, will review your health history and current pregnancy. Childbirth is a natural process for most women. Midwifery-led care is a great option for healthy women who want to be active partners in their pregnancy and birth.
Maintaining a low-risk status throughout your pregnancy and birth can be supported by:
- Attending all scheduled appointments.
- Consuming a nutritious and balanced diet.
- Engaging in regular exercise to prepare for birth and aid recovery.
- Participating in antenatal classes as recommended.
- Broadening your knowledge through diverse educational resources.
- Asking questions during your antenatal visits.
Should any high-risk complications emerge, your Obstetrician/Gynaecologist will seamlessly take over your care.
Do you accept Medical Aid and Private Clients?
At Genesis Clinic, we are committed to providing world-class maternity care and birth support with complete peace of mind. Our facility fees are designed to offer you and your baby the safest and best care, with choices that fit your needs. We welcome both medical aid and private clients. To ensure you have full transparency for your financial planning, please review the fees that apply to you here.
What are my pain relief options?
Our midwives are skilled in a variety of comfort measures, both non-medical and, when desired, medical. We will work with you to explore options that align with your preferences.
These options typically include:
- Natural and Non-Pharmacological Methods: These focus on supporting your body’s innate ability to cope. This can include movement and positioning, breathing techniques, hydrotherapy (using water, like the birth tub or shower), massage, hot or cold packs, and various relaxation techniques. Having a Doula or a supportive birth partner can significantly enhance the effectiveness of these methods.
- Nitrous Oxide (Gas and Air): This is a mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen that you breathe in through a mask or mouthpiece. It helps take the edge off contractions and you control when to use it.
- Opioid Pain Relief: Medications like pethidine can be given by injection. They work systemically to reduce pain sensation and can help you rest, though they may have side effects for both mother and baby.
- Epidural: This is a regional anaesthetic administered by an Anaesthetist. It involves injecting medication into your lower back to numb the nerves that carry pain signals from your uterus and cervix, providing very effective pain relief for many women.
We’ll work with you to understand your preferences and needs, ensuring you have the support and information to choose the best pain relief approach for your unique labour journey.
Can I bring a Doula to support me during birth?
We highly value the role of Doulas and are always pleased to work alongside them. If you haven’t yet explored this option, we encourage you to begin your search for a Doula who aligns with your birthing vision. A birth Doula provides invaluable non-medical support and continuous comfort throughout your childbirth journey.
Your Independent Midwife will be able to direct you in choosing the right Doula for you. They often have a network of trusted Doulas they work with, ensuring that the Doula you choose is well-regarded and aligns with the philosophy of care at Genesis Clinic. Establishing a strong connection and a sense of trust with your chosen Doula is paramount. She will be present during one of the most personal and transformative periods of your life, making your comfort and confidence in her support absolutely essential.
What’s the difference between a Midwife or a Obstetrician/Gynaecologist?
Midwives specialise in healthy pregnancies and natural births. They fundamentally trust birth as a natural, physiological process. Midwives typically offer a continuous, present, and holistic approach during labour, allowing ample space for the natural progression of birth before considering medical interventions.
In contrast, Obstetricians/Gynaecologists often focus on the potential for complications in pregnancy and birth. They may view birth through a medical lens, which can sometimes lead to a quicker recommendation for medical or technological interventions to prevent issues.
Rest assured, every expectant mother under our care will also consult with a backup Obstetrician/Gynaecologist (OBGYN) affiliated with Genesis Clinic during her pregnancy. We maintain close collaboration with the OBGYNs affiliated with Genesis Clinic. This ensures your pregnancy remains within a low-risk category, and should any high-risk complications emerge, your OBGYN will seamlessly take over your care. Furthermore, your OBGYN serves as your backup in the event a Caesarean section becomes necessary; this procedure will be performed in our on-site operating theatre.
What tests will be done during my pregnancy?
Knowing which check-ups, screenings, and scans are recommended and when to have them is crucial for every pregnant woman. Throughout your pregnancy, you’ll be offered various tests, including blood tests and ultrasound scans. These are designed to monitor your health and your baby’s development, helping to identify any potential concerns during your pregnancy or following the birth.
It’s important to remember that while there’s a standard antenatal schedule, your individual care plan might be adjusted to meet your specific needs as an expectant mother.
What if medical support becomes necessary?
While our focus is on natural birth, we are prepared. We have established collaborative relationships with trusted OBGYNs who are affiliated with Genesis Clinic to ensure immediate access to any necessary medical support, always prioritising the safety and well-being of you and your baby.
Why does Genesis Clinic not offer elective caesarean sections?
Genesis Clinic is a small, intimate, midwife-led facility dedicated to a unique model of care. We specialise in supporting low-risk families who desire a natural labour and birth experience, an approach not widely available in other medical facilities.
As a midwife-led clinic, our on-site theatre is exclusively for emergency Caesarean sections, used only when a natural birth requires medical intervention. For this reason, we do not have the capacity to offer elective Caesarean sections.
If I've had a Caesarean before, can I still experience a natural birth?
For many women who have had a previous Caesarean, a Vaginal Birth After Caesarean (VBAC) can be a safe and empowering option. Your Midwife will carefully assess your individual circumstances and provide expert support if VBAC is a safe choice for you.
Can I birth at Genesis with a care provider not affiliated with Genesis?
You can only give birth with an Independent Midwife who is affiliated with Genesis Clinic. This is because only our affiliated midwives have birthing rights at the clinic. Your backup OBGYN (Obstetrician/Gynaecologist) must also be one affiliated with Genesis Clinic.
Who will provide medical care and support for my baby and me while I am recuperating at Genesis Clinic?
At the birth of your baby, a dedicated staff nurse/midwife attends your birth to assist your Independent Midwife. If a Caesarean is needed, the entire medical team—your Midwife, Gynaecologist, scrub and theatre assistants, and Paediatrician—will be in theatre.
After your birth, whether vaginal or caesarean, you’ll recuperate in the private family room with your baby and partner. Our staff nurses/midwives will care for you and your baby during this time until your Midwife or Gynaecologist gives the go-ahead for you to be discharged and head home with your baby.
Will I feel prepared and informed throughout my journey?
Your midwife is dedicated to providing you with comprehensive and evidence-based education throughout your pregnancy, labour, birth, and postnatal period. The goal is to empower you with the knowledge you need to make confident and informed decisions that resonate with your vision for your birth.
Will my individual beliefs and values be respected?
We deeply honour the uniqueness of each woman and her journey. Your Midwife will take the time to understand your personal, cultural, and spiritual beliefs, ensuring that your care is tailored to your individual needs and that your birth experience reflects your values.
"To change the world, we must first change the way babies are being born."