A mother-of-four says she chose to have a home birth amid increasing fears about the coronavirus.  

Jasmine Brooks from the village of Vaitele delivered her baby girl, Kayla, on 1 April.

She was assisted by a traditional midwife from America, Jennifer Lynn.

“I had a home water birth in a kid’s size pool,” said Ms. Brooks.

She added that she was not comfortable giving birth at the hospital as Samoa just recovered from the measles but now is quarantining suspected cases of coronavirus.

“I wanted my fourth child to be birthed at home in water and I even googled home birth in Samoa and that was when I came across a Samoa Observer article which Ms. Lynn was featured on," she said. 

“I tried to search for her on Facebook and reached out for her via message but she was in New Zealand at the time.”

Ms. Lynn said that she knew it in her heart that she was supposed to be part of the home birth when contacted by Ms. Brooks.

“At the time the Samoan Government has cancelled a lot of New Zealand flights that day," she said. 

“My son and I had to rush to get our medical clearance and we encountered a lot of issues with flight arrangements.”

Ms. Brooks said that Ms. Lynn and her son flew back to Samoa just so she can help her experience a home birth which she was grateful for.

She added that it was her first time choosing to give birth at home:

“It was a good different experience, a lot more relaxed, comfortable.

“I think it was being in the comfort of your own home just helps with the contractions, pain and having my husband support me was a great.

“I do admit it was very painful but bearable and the water alone helps to alleviate a lot of the pain and also being free to move in any position that I want.”

Her husband held her during labour and it gave her strength.

“Having to give birth to all my children was amazing but this experience was very different and I would recommend it to anyone," she said. 

“I was very thankful that I had everything organised for a home birth because it was scary with the measles that just happened and now the coronavirus.

“I even considered going back to England to give birth but COVID-19 made that impossible.”

She recommended that everyone should give birth at home. 

Ms. Lynn said that she was proud of how well Ms. Brooks handled the experience. 

“I had to massage her and we had to prepare for two-to-three days before labour.

“I walked her children on what they should do to help their mother and they were just as anxious," she said. 

“Contractions take so much energy out of you and so I had her drink some herbs and fresh coconuts.”

Ms. Lynn has been a full time traditional midwife six years ago but I have been delivering babies for over 12 years. 

“It is always beautiful when women choose to have a home birth for the first time," she said. 

Ms. Lynn supports her charitable midwifery through sales of jewelry at Craig's Tattoo and Barber Shop and can be reached on [email protected].

Any women who are seeking more information on experiencing home births can contact Ms. Lynn on the above e-mail.