“The whole point of woman-centred birth is the knowledge that a woman is the birth power source. She may need, and deserve help, but in essence, she always had, currently has, and will have the power.”
Heather McCue
Carole Goddard
Registered Midwife, BSc Midwifery,
International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC)
Tongue-tie practitioner
My passion for midwifery truly began with the birth of my daughter. I received excellent training and gained valuable experience working within a North London NHS Trust and the wonderfully diverse community of Haringey. However, over time, I became disillusioned with the financial pressures, fragmented care and politics within the NHS which hindered my ability to provide the quality of care that families deserve. I felt compelled to seek an alternative approach to supporting women and families during the transformative and life-changing journey of pregnancy, childbirth and early parenthood.
I joined 'The Birth Centre', led by the renowned midwife Caroline Flint, to offer the type of care that aligns with my philosophy of midwifery - working closely with women, birthing people, and families, and having the time to truly get to know them and build strong, trusting relationships. I believe that these relationships are essential for safety and in empowering families to make choices that are informed and right for them, fostering positive pregnancies, birth experiences and supporting their transition to parenthood.
When The Birth Centre closed at the end of 2010, I knew I could not walk away from this deeply fulfilling way of working, nor deny women the invaluable benefits of ‘knowing your midwife’, a service which is not commonly available within the NHS. Motivated by this, I teamed up with my like-minded colleagues and form Phoenix Independent Midwives, where I can offer continuity, individualised care, and empower women with the knowledge that will enable them to make their own informed choices - ensuring positive and empowering experiences.
Over time, Phoenix Independent Midwives has continued, although my colleagues from The Birth Centre have gradually embarked on their own journeys - moving to New Zealand, Australia, embracing full-time motherhood, or returning to the NHS. I am proud to say that I have continued to work as an Independent Midwife under the banner of Phoenix to this day, further expanding my skills with qualifications as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and a tongue-tie practitioner. This enables me to offer specialist feeding support that complements and enhances my midwifery care.
Choosing a midwife to accompany you on your unique journey is a deeply personal decision and I would be privileged if you chose me to be part of it.
I joined 'The Birth Centre', led by the renowned midwife Caroline Flint, to offer the type of care that aligns with my philosophy of midwifery - working closely with women, birthing people, and families, and having the time to truly get to know them and build strong, trusting relationships. I believe that these relationships are essential for safety and in empowering families to make choices that are informed and right for them, fostering positive pregnancies, birth experiences and supporting their transition to parenthood.
When The Birth Centre closed at the end of 2010, I knew I could not walk away from this deeply fulfilling way of working, nor deny women the invaluable benefits of ‘knowing your midwife’, a service which is not commonly available within the NHS. Motivated by this, I teamed up with my like-minded colleagues and form Phoenix Independent Midwives, where I can offer continuity, individualised care, and empower women with the knowledge that will enable them to make their own informed choices - ensuring positive and empowering experiences.
Over time, Phoenix Independent Midwives has continued, although my colleagues from The Birth Centre have gradually embarked on their own journeys - moving to New Zealand, Australia, embracing full-time motherhood, or returning to the NHS. I am proud to say that I have continued to work as an Independent Midwife under the banner of Phoenix to this day, further expanding my skills with qualifications as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and a tongue-tie practitioner. This enables me to offer specialist feeding support that complements and enhances my midwifery care.
Choosing a midwife to accompany you on your unique journey is a deeply personal decision and I would be privileged if you chose me to be part of it.
