Welcome and thank you for listening! In this heartfelt and informative episode, we sit down with Jude Polack, the visionary founder of the original Genesis Clinic in Saxonworld, Johannesburg. Jude takes us on a journey through the history of this beloved birthing facility, from its inception in 2009 to its unexpected closure and inspiring rebirth. Jude shares the story of why she initially sold the clinic to the Life Healthcare Group in 2015. We delve into the difficult decision by Life Healthcare to close the clinic in 2023, a move that left the community and staff reeling. Genesis Clinic has always been more than just a maternity ward; it's a sanctuary for families seeking a less medicalised and more empowering birth experience. As a midwife-led facility with an on-site emergency operating room, it provided a safe and supportive environment for thousands of families from all walks of life. Jude explains the core philosophy of Genesis: placing birthing families at the forefront, empowering women to choose their birth, and prioritising low-intervention births. We discuss the broader implications of the clinic's closure within the South African context, including the country's high C-section rates, gender-based and obstetric violence, and deep inequities in the healthcare system. The closure of Genesis, along with other similar facilities, represents a "theft of choice" for women who deserve autonomy in their birthing journey. But this isn't just a story of loss. Jude shares the compelling reasons why she was driven to reopen the Genesis Clinic. She details the new Genesis Clinic, a natural birth facility where mothers are cared for by independent midwife practices, supported by affiliated obstetricians, and have access to an on-site operating theatre for planned or emergency C-sections. The new Genesis Clinic continues its mission to provide a nurturing, family-centered environment where highly qualified nurses care for new parents as they embark on their beautiful journey. For more information and announcements on the official opening of the new Genesis Clinic, visit https://genesis-clinic.co.za/. If you found this episode helpful please leave us a review or give us a rating as that helps us get the show out to more people. And don't forget to subscribe! We'd love to stay in touch and keep you updated with all our latest content & resources to equip & empower you. So if you're a midwife or any type of birth and baby worker go to sensitivemidwifery.co.za/freegift If you're a mom, visit sisterlilian.co.za/freegift for more training and resources. That way we can keep you up to date when we release new episodes like this plus a few other bonuses. Remember you're making a big difference because you're shaping the future of humankind. Thanks for listening and I look forward to journeying with you.

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