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Rooted in the Sister Lilian Centre, since 1988
About Birth & Baby
Welcome to Birth & Baby, the home of trusted, natural, and common-sense support for mothers, fathers, and families across South Africa and beyond.
While our consumer-facing brand is now Birth & Baby (trading under Sister Lilian Centre Pty Ltd), our foundation remains deeply rooted in the rich legacy of the Sister Lilian Centre.
Dr. Margreet BarnardtMidwife Specialist & Visionary Leader
Our vision & mission
A world that liberates the best in every child
We see a world that creates and raises children in a way which liberates the best in each and every individual. Our mission is to be leaders in improving midwifery, pregnancy, birth, parenting, health, and family life, because families grow the next generation and shape the future of humankind.
Guided by our core values of Intuition, Integrity, and Individuality, we consciously set out to make a positive difference through impeccable service delivery and an inclusive approach in all we do.
Intuition
Integrity
Individuality
Our heritage
Built on holistic care
The Sister Lilian Centre grew out of the private midwifery and babycare practice of leading South African midwife and parenting expert, Sister Lilian. After completing her nursing and midwifery studies between 1975 and 1981, Sister Lilian expanded her expertise into complementary disciplines, including homeopathy, reflexology, and Ayurvedic medicine. Her goal was clear: to bring a sensitive, intuitive, balanced, and holistic approach to pregnancy, birth, and parenting.
Since its inception in 1988, the Centre’s core mission has been to guide families using simple, natural, and practical methods. Built on the core belief that simple steps yield profoundly positive effects, the Centre became a nationwide hub of knowledge shared through renowned books, courses, blog posts, and dedicated maternity services.
1975Sister Lilian begins her nursing and midwifery studies, completed in 1981
1988The Sister Lilian Centre is founded, grown out of her private midwifery and babycare practice
2019Dr. Margreet Barnardt steps into the company leadership, taking the reins directly from Sister Lilian
TodayBirth & Baby, the consumer-facing brand of Sister Lilian Centre Pty Ltd
A new chapter
The same unwavering commitment
Today, as we step forward as Birth & Baby, that legacy continues under the leadership of Midwife Specialist Dr. Margreet Barnardt. Margreet carries the torch forward with a deep passion for excellence in midwifery and a vision to ensure that the advice you receive remains as trustworthy, grounded, and empowering as ever.
Accessible care
Accessible care for every family
At Birth & Baby, we believe every baby is worth gold and that every family forms the cornerstone of society. To ensure reliable care is accessible to all (no matter who or where they are), many of our core services and resources remain entirely free of charge.
Our community initiatives are subsidised through our professional educational work with healthcare providers under the Sensitive Midwifery® brand, as well as ethical partnerships with organisations that value our mission.
Whether you are navigating pregnancy, welcoming a newborn, or raising a toddler, Birth & Baby is here to support your journey with advice you can trust.
Meet the team
The people behind the advice
We are a "lean and mean" team: small, highly focused, and deeply passionate about what we do. Every member of our team is intimately connected to our mission, bringing unique skills, clinical expertise, and personal birth experience to everything we create.
Dr. Margreet Barnardt
Midwife Specialist & Visionary Leader
Dr. Margreet Barnardt is a dedicated Midwife Specialist, passionate educator, and international speaker advocating for woman-centered, midwife-led care. An active researcher and thought leader, she has published extensively and presented at numerous national and international conferences.
As the visionary leader behind Birth & Baby and Sensitive Midwifery® (trading under Sister Lilian Centre Pty Ltd), she stepped into the company leadership in 2019, taking the reins directly from Sister Lilian herself.
Margreet adores her team and thrives on what a small, dedicated group of passionate people can accomplish together.
With over 20 years of hands-on experience as an independent midwife and as the founder of the Healthy Mom and Baby Clinic in Jeffreys Bay, Margreet brings a wealth of real-world clinical expertise to the platform. She is also fondly known as the "Surfing Midwife", surfing for South Africa and having represented South Africa on the world stage twice as a competitive surfer.
Key academic & clinical credentials
PhD in Midwifery – Nelson Mandela University (2019), focusing on strategies to scale up clinical midwifery practices in South Africa.
Master’s Research Degree in Midwifery – Nelson Mandela University (2014), specialising in Collaborative Maternity Care in the Private Sector.
BCur Honours in Advanced Midwifery and Neonatal Nursing Science – Nelson Mandela University (2012).
Bachelor’s Degree in Midwifery – Artevelde Hogeschool in Gent, Belgium (2002).
Founder The Healthy Mom and Baby Clinic
Founder Private Midwife Practice - The Surfing Midwife
Author of numerous peer reviewed articles
Speaker and Podcast Host
Gillian Richards
Operations, Marketing & Event Lead
Gillian is the longest-standing team member at Birth and Baby, having been an integral part of the organisation since 2007. Having journeyed through every twist, turn, and stage of the company's evolution, she is the friendly voice and welcoming face behind the scenes. Gillian oversees marketing activities and coordinates the annual Sensitive Midwifery Symposium and Academy. Her dedication goes far beyond the call of duty, with the ultimate highlight of her work being the rewarding feedback from the delegates, nurses, and midwives she supports year after year.
Aimee Thompson
Technical Lead & Backend Specialist
Aimee is our behind-the-scenes tech wizard, building and maintaining the backend platforms that keep our digital spaces running seamlessly. Beyond her technical brilliance, Aimee is a proud mother to a son whom she birthed and nurtured naturally, inspired and informed by the very resources she helps build and manage.
Marishka Myers
Social Media & Copywriting Strategist
Marishka is our social media and copywriting guru: the creative mind ensuring we look good, sound authentic, and keep our community updated on everything happening in our space. As a mother of two beautiful home-birthed children, Marishka is a true champion for the values, gentle care, and empowering practices we advocate for every day.
Dom Barnardt
Media Specialist & Content Producer
Dom is our media master behind the lens and in the studio. He captures our stunning visual imagery, records our video content, and edits our podcasts and vlogs, bringing the stories, education, and heart of our community to life.
Adele van der Walt
Financial & Accounting Lead
Adele keeps our numbers balanced and our organisation running smoothly behind the scenes. As our dedicated accountant, her attention to detail and sound financial management ensure that our platform and events remain strong, sustainable, and growing. Adele shares our team's deep commitment to supporting mothers and healthcare professionals, bringing both precision and heart to her essential role.
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Courses, the Playroom and the membership, all in one place
Natural, sensitive guidance in pregnancy, birth and family health, from the home of Sister Lilian since 1988.
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