Marlies Schwartfeger Midwife

29/08/2022

We know that feeding your pēpi can sometimes take awhile 🤱🏽

What are your go-to essentials when feeding? 💕

Credit: Jojo Ford Illustration

10/01/2022

Heart heavy for midwives after the continual devastation with MOH over our pay negotiations 💔

02/01/2022

Breastfeeding a toddler.....literally means anywhere....anytime 😆😅🤣

22/12/2021

MOH once again disrespecting midwives and showing a complete lack of understanding around maternity care. I feel for my poor colleagues who are hard at work everyday over the summer holidays without any payment due until mid Jan 😧

The email arrived at 4.04pm, telling midwives they had to get their requests in by 3.30pm or wait until January 10 to get paid.

07/10/2021

Beautifully written 😍🥰❤

I’ve been the happiest since I’ve had children.
I’ve also been at my lowest.

I’m a much better version of myself.
I also haven’t always liked what I’ve seen when mirrors have been held up to me.

I’ve never been in more company.
And at times never felt so lonely.

Some days I don’t want to end.
Some days I wish away, oh and the guilt from feeling that when they grow so fast.

I’ve never been so sure of who I’m meant to be.
I’ve never wondered so much who I am.

I’ve never felt closer with my husband.
But at times, I’ve never felt more distant.

I believe in myself, I trust myself.
I’ve questioned myself and doubted myself.

I always want to be better for them.
But I’ve yelled and cried and wished I’d handled certain situations better.

I’ve never loved so hard and so fiercely.
And I’ve never felt so vulnerable.

I’ve never been more broken.
And I’ve never been more complete.

I’ve never smiled so much.
I’ve never cried so much.

I’ve never craved alone time more.
But when I am I always feel like somethings missing, my kids warmth.

I’ve never been so excited to watch them grow.
And simultaneously wished they’d stay little forever.

Some days I feel like I’ve achieved nothing.
But as I think of them at night, I know I’ve achieved everything.

I’ve never looked forward to so much.
And I’ve also, never looked back.

It’s one beautiful contradiction.
A journey of wrong turns that are probably still right.
And dreams of the future even if you don’t get enough sleep to dream.
Exhaustion but effortless love.
The hardest and most rewarding thing ever.

Motherhood ❤️

Words from the beautiful book by Jess Urlichs, Writer ‘All I See Is You’ ❤

📸 via .Ch.R

The BreastMilk Fairy

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27/08/2021

08/08/2021

Thank you
Thank you
Thabk you

❤❤

Received two beaitiful gifts from some of my last mamas as an lmc midwife, working in the community.

What a beautiful past 6 years, so privileged to have learnt so much, shared in so many journeys and watched Taranaki families grow. I'm sure one day when Austins older I will crave the continuity of care model that nz is so so lucky to have.

I have started working at base hospital, and absolutely loving the change in pace! Hope to see some of my mamas up there!!!!

Much love, Marlies 😊

02/08/2021

Happy world breastfeeding week 2021 🥰

Whether you breastfed for 1 day, 1 week or 1 year, mama you rock ❤❤

Austy is getting bigger now and so independent so the wee breastfeeding snuggles I do get are oh so special, spesh after a long night at work!

02/06/2021

❤❤

I don’t know who needs to hear this, but attachment parenting in a detached society is exhausting.
No. It’s not your baby.
There is nothing wrong with them if they want to be held all the time.
No. It’s not you.
You’re not doing it wrong.
Your feelings of exhaustion and depletion and being touched out are normal- considering the weight you’re carrying. Those feelings, and the deep ache underneath them - are a reminder that you were never meant to do this alone.
Babies want to be held. And we want to hold them close. Exclusive/extended breastfeeding, cosleeping, babywearing- all of these are intuitive, ancestral practices that have kept our species alive throughout history. Attachment parenting is just parenting!!
But never before have we parented in such isolation. There were always other hands stirring the soup pot, other aunties, and sisters, and uncles and grandmas, and cousins, and neighbors helping with the daily tasks and child rearing. Other arms carrying the weight of raising humanity. Together.
And now, it’s just you. Alone in the kitchen, trying to stir the soup and bounce the baby and play with the toddler and keep an eye on the big kid and answer the phone and sweep up the mess and tackle the laundry and .....
No matter how magical your baby wrap is — it can’t take the place of a whole village.
So no, you’re not doing it wrong. You’re just trying to stay connected in a world set on tearing you apart.
But don’t give up mama. I know you’re tired and touched out, but you’re giving your baby exactly what she needs. And maybe one day, when she’s raising her own babies,there will be a village around her, helping her hold it all together.

⭕️ Beautiful words and Pic by on Instagram

20/05/2021

So super excited to receive my personalised breastmilk ring today from The Spilt Milk Co.

Absolutely love it and such a fab keepsake from our breastfeeding journey ❤

Feeding Austin has been such a special time, that's still going...and all the time haha! He loves it, I love it and it works (wasn't easy and sometimes still isnt)

Feeling pretty lucky to be a woman today!

Hope all the mamas are snuggled up with their baby's in bliss x

08/05/2021

Wine, cheese and baby cuddles after a big week.
5 beautiful fresh babies born over 5 days.
5 incredible mums, Dads and beautiful new babies all doing amazing!

How lucky am I to have such a special job ❤

My LMC work is slowly coming to an end and my new journey working at the hospital starts in just over a month 🥰

Cheers to new adventures and a happy early mothers day to all the mamas of Taranaki. You guys rock xo

😊