Midwife under investigation for alleged malpractice after six stillbirths at her birthing centre

Pregnant women came to her from far and wide, drawn by glowing testimonials about a midwife who’d help them give birth in the comfort of their homes, away from the rigours and rigidity of a sterile hospital environment. 

She had 11 years’ experience and had delivered hundreds of babies, Yolande Maritz said. So for women wanting a natural birth she seemed like a great alternative to gynaes who were often quick to perform C-sections, sending carefully wrought birthing plans out the window. 

But for many moms who came to Yolande, things went horribly wrong. Horror stories have emerged of women nearly dying in labour, of babies left disabled – and, tragically, of death.