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The Baby's Coming
- A Story of Dedication by an Independent Midwife
- Narrated by: Julie Maisey
- Length: 10 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Biographies & Memoirs, Professionals & Academics
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Summary
The memoir of Britain's best-known independent midwife - the story of how she became a midwife and what it means to her, and her memories of the births she has attended.
Virginia Howes was a mother of four doing the ironing when she had a revelation. Still broody, but not really wanting to add to her family, she realised that becoming a midwife was her true vocation. It was a long journey to get the education and qualifications she needed, especially with a young family, but she was determined and never doubted her decision. Following her training, she spent three years working within the NHS, but her naturally independent spirit fought against the constraints of the system and 12 years ago she decided to set up on her own. Virginia works with mothers who want to give birth at home naturally, something which Virginia believes in passionately. 350 births later, Virginia still loves what she does.
The Baby's Coming tells the stories of her training as a midwife as well as some of the most memorable of those 350 births: the most dramatic, the most touching. Virginia particularly remembers the births of her own grandchildren whose arrivals in the world were some of the most special moments for her as both a midwife and grandmother.
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What listeners say about The Baby's Coming
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- jane joensen
- 26-10-14
I wish I had know then ....
Where does The Baby's Coming rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?
I have enjoyed Virginia Howel's book immensely. It took me right back to my own experience with childbirth in 1980. The way V.H tell's you about childbirth on the NHS during that period of time made me realize that we had the same kind of experience but then I was not aware that I actually had a say in the matter. I just went with the flow and things happened around me that I was not aware of. Virginia's views on home births and the way she helps women and ease their stress is just amazing. It makes so much sense and I hope that I can persuade my own daughter to a home birth with the aid of an amazing midwife when the time comes. The book captured my attention and my heart from start to finish.
Who was your favorite character and why?
Virginia is my favorite. My heroine :-)
What does Julie Maisey bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?
The narration was fabulous and it gives the book so much character. JM managed to portray so many voices. The only glitch I can think of was the turkish accent. That sounded very eastern european to me!
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
Yes I would have love to listen in one sitting.. Even though the book is about births not two is ever the same. It never becomes boring.
Any additional comments?
I highly recommend The baby's coming :-)
2 people found this helpful
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- jenine sharpe
- 21-12-17
Loved it very interesting
This story was better then I thought I feel iv learnt so much about labour and birth and hearing personal birth stories of the woman and the authors life story it was so interesting I was listening to this book every day.
1 person found this helpful
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- Amazon Customer
- 17-02-19
Inspirational
A wonderful read, very well narrated also! As a student midwife (and mum of 2) this really got to me. What an amazing woman!
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- tanya sweeney
- 04-08-18
Brilliant listen!
I’m not yet finished the book but I already can’t take out my earphones! I love this book! I’m not one for books but honestly you won’t be disappointed in this! Great buy! X
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- Erinn Morgan
- 28-12-17
absolutely loved it ❤❤❤❤ it was amazing!
Oh what a heartwarming empowering book, excellent listen, I loved it to bits, it was so good and has inspired me to part time train as a doula
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- Amazon Customer
- 08-05-17
Enjoyable story
I enjoyed the story, but I found the narrator and her accents a bit grating!
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- Rhianna
- 18-01-16
Loved it!
Absolutely loved this book! A real insight to what an independent midwife does. Would definitely recommend :)
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- MRS Dickman
- 15-05-15
Fantastic
Excellent If I wasn't 58 I would've been tempted to book Virginia!!!!!
Good inspiration for expectant mums.
Would recommend Easy listening
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- Mrs C Garstang
- 24-02-15
Couldn't finish. Narrator was so sanctimonious!
What would have made The Baby's Coming better?
A different narrator. Her voice was grating and they way she read the story made Virginia come across as very self-righteous and finger pointing, to the point where I started to dislike her and feel sorry the the three husbands and counting that she had ditched!
What could Virginia Howes have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?
To have kept it briefer.
How could the performance have been better?
The narrators voice was grating.
What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?
annoyance.
Any additional comments?
I would not recommend.
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- Dean
- 17-02-15
Catalogue of self-aggrandising nonsense
Supposedly a guide for self employed midwives this emotionally incontinent autobiography contains a sparse smattering of technical information much of which is misleading, some of which is positively dangerous.
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- Rebekers
- 17-03-19
Fantastic narration, brilliantly woven
This book is so well written, I chose to lose sleep because I didn't want to stop listening. Incredibly inspiring and well done!
2 people found this helpful
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- mouse 34
- 28-08-20
Captivating story
Grabs your attention and never lets go! Have been involved with birthing mothers for 46 years and have never listened to a better rendition of independent midwives and homebirth. As a Christian Midwife it was hard to understand why a Midwife would pray to birth angels without believing in God. She was a gifted Midwife and tells a wonderful story hopefully someday she will be able to understand the creation story
1 person found this helpful
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- nethal
- 22-02-19
Excellent and real!
This book really educates you on what independent midwives are going through currently and is just a very fun and touching real life story!
1 person found this helpful
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- Daryl
- 03-04-14
Could have been good...
What did you like best about The Baby's Coming? What did you like least?
I enjoyed the comparisons of midwifery over the years, and Virginia's journey was fascinating reading...
But I couldn't get past the egoism. "Every time *I* asked about the wisdom of this treatment, I kept being told no." "I do this because I was treated this way and I didn't like it." Perhaps it's the delivery, but it drives me crazy!
What about Julie Maisey’s performance did you like?
The narrator was beautiful! I will read more of her books as soon as I sarch for them.