Eva Fernandez-thanheiser Hebamme, Schönbühel an der Donau

I hesitated for a long time before writing this review, but I hope my experience may help others. I booked a comprehensive care package with this midwife in 2019. Already during pregnancy, I was asked why I would even want to schedule one of the included home visits – an early sign that my needs were not being taken seriously. She never asked about my wishes or preferences for the birth. When I was induced, she told me she would only come once my contractions were regularly 4 minutes apart – which never happened. I labored alone for over 12 hours with strong, irregular contractions until hospital staff insisted on calling her. During that time, my husband was left waiting for hours without any information. We were both alone. During the birth, interventions (Kristeller maneuver, episiotomy) were performed that she could not explain to me afterward. I was also given an undocumented infusion – to this day, I do not know what I was given. Most concerning: although my baby was unable to nurse, she documented that breastfeeding had occurred. As a result, it went unnoticed that my newborn had not had any intake at all. Postpartum was the most distressing part. She initially refused a home visit. When she came the next day, she abruptly confronted me with statements about babies dying from dehydration. In one moment I felt safe at home with my newborn, and in the next I was terrified for my baby’s life. That moment was deeply traumatic and has stayed with me. Aside from a good massage, my overall impression is of someone overwhelmed, overbooked, and unable to provide safe, attentive care. I felt alone, unsupported, and frightened during one of the most vulnerable times of my life. Of course, she might be a good fit fir anyone who after 2 sleepless nights, general anesthesia and the biggest hormonal shift humans experience during their life can still advocate for themselves... I couldn't. And I suffered the consequences