Why Health and Education Are Important at Mums & Bums

A Note from Sr Samantha Pieterse

Hi there, and welcome to the Mums & Bums Mother and Baby Clinic. I’m Sr Samantha Pieterse, though most moms just call me Sr Sam. I’m a nurse practitioner, a mom, and the founder of this small but heartfelt clinic in Centurion.

Sr Samantha and her two sons Connor and Luke

How My Little Clinic Started

Mums & Bums began as a mix of practicality and purpose. After my first son was born in 2021, I left my job in the public health sector to spend more time with him. I also wanted to build something more personal for other moms, something warmer than a rushed waiting room.

Spoiler: starting a clinic with a newborn is not the “flexible” option. But even in the chaos, I fell in love with it.

What Mums & Bums Has Become

My little clinic has grown into a place where we make real connections. I’ve cried with grieving parents, laughed over baby milestones, and talked late into the afternoon over cups of tea.

The moms who walk through these doors are more than patients. They’ve become part of my extended family.

And behind the scenes? Let’s just say I’ve learned a lot. From diagnosing rare rashes to understanding how local medical aid billing really works, every part of this journey has stretched me. Running a clinic has been humbling, hard, and full of surprises, the good kind and the tough kind.

Why I Started This Blog

I started this blog with a mix of coffee, clinic conversations, and quiet moments where I finally get a few minutes to reflect on why education and health are so important to me. My goal for this blog is to:

Share honest stories from my work at the clinic and about being a mother
Give reliable and practical health tips for moms and babies
To give you a laugh or a sense of calm, especially on days when being a mother feels difficult

If you’re pregnant, raising tiny humans, or just reading along, I’m so glad you’re here. I hope what I write might leave you feeling supported and maybe a little less alone.

What You’ll Find on My Blog

Baby Tips: Fevers, rashes, reflux, and when to call your nurse
Pregnancy Support: From what’s normal to what’s not, and how to survive your pregnancy
Clinic Life: Stories and patient journeys (shared with permission)
Moms Supporting Moms: Encouragement and real advice from our community
Printable Checklists & Guides: Because your brain is full enough already

The waiting area at Mums & Bums Clinic is beautifully decorated with hot air balloons painted on the wall.

How We Care For Our Patients at Mums & Bums

We never rush. Our appointments are scheduled with more than enough time for you to talk and ask all your questions. If you’re just visiting for a vaccine, or even if your appointment is for something more worrying, we always take the time to explain things clearly.

The Power of Listening

Sometimes, what you need most isn’t a prescription, it’s just someone to listen. I’ve seen how a calm, non-judgmental environment can shift everything. I’m not here to tell you what to do, but to figure it out with you.

What Makes Our Clinic Different

We’re small on purpose. We don’t have a crowded waiting room or a long queue. We make sure you get care from someone who knows your name, your child’s story, and how hard you’re trying to be the best mom.

Common Questions Moms Ask

We often hear:

Is this rash normal?
How do I know if my baby has colic?
Should I worry about this fever?
Are vaccines safe?

These questions matter, and I answer them with facts, not fear. If you’re wondering about something, chances are, another mom is too.

A Place for Dads and Grandparents Too

Even though our name says “Mums,” dads, grandparents, and caregivers are always welcome. Parenting is a team sport. Whoever raises that baby deserves support, answers, and maybe a strong cup of tea.

Learning Never Stops Here

Medicine and guidelines change and you’ll probably find you have new questions every day. I make sure I can answer any of your questions by staying up-to-date with the most recent research and attending courses whenever I can. I share everything I know in plain language that makes sense to you.

We Celebrate All Milestones

Whether it’s your baby’s first vaccine or your first solo outing, we love to celebrate it. These milestones are worth noticing. I love to tell your stories because they remind us of progress, even when it feels slow.

The Village Around Us

I know how important it is to have a village, and that’s why I work closely with a network of other healthcare providers. These include lactation consultants, physios, midwives, and mental health providers, to name a few. Being a mom (and running a clinic) isn’t something you can do on your own. We all need a village of support. In this blog, I’ll recommend and share stories about the village, too.

What My Moms Have Taught Me

When I started this clinic, I was surprised by how much I have (and continue to) learn from the moms who come here. Your courage and resilience inspire me. You’ve taught me to slow down, listen more closely, and trust that you know your baby better than anyone.

Sr Samantha and her son Luke in the office at Mums & Bums Clinic

Balancing Home Life and Clinic Life

Yes, I still burn the toast. Yes, I’ve brought my child to work with me more than once. This blog will sometimes share what that juggle looks like behind the scenes because motherhood doesn’t stop at the clinic door.

Lessons I Learnt from Night Shift

Most of the big things I learned as a mom and also as a nurse have come after dark. A fevers always spikes at midnight, your baby is always the hardest to feed after dark, any anything that can go wrong waits for the scariest time od day. Nighttime worries always feel bigger, and we’re here to remind you you’re not alone, even at 3 a.m.

The Art of Explaining the Scary Stuff

Medical talk can be intimidating. Part of my job is breaking down scary-sounding conditions, like jaundice, mastitis, or febrile seizures, into information that makes sense and doesn’t add more fear. This blog will always aim to do the same.

Building Confidence, Not Comparison

I see moms at every stage: confident, unsure, overwhelmed, and finally getting there. No two moms have the same stories, which makes my job so beautiful. I want this blog to reflect that spirit. We don’t compare here, every step is a step to learning how you can be the best parten, no matter how small.

Keeping It Honest

There’s no sugar-coating here. My blog is here to talk about messy bun days, baby poopsplosions, and the real frustrations of parenting. It’s not always cute, but honesty is what connects us.

Why the Name Mums & Bums?

Our name always makes people laugh a little, and that’s kind of the point. It was chosen to represent the everyday work of parenting and to represent those little baby bums. Our blog is an extension of that name, a bounty of knowledge about real life, given to you in light-hearted way.

Mums & Bums Building Trust, One Visit at a Time

Trust isn’t built in one appointment. It grows when you feel heard, and when you and your baby is treated gently. Its also earned when no question is too small. That’s the kind of trust our clinic runs on, and I hope this blog helps continue it.

The Little Wins That Keep Us Going

A difficult thing I had to learn when I started my clinic is that not every day brings a big breakthrough. Sometimes, one of my moms returns calmer, or your baby gains just the right amount of weight, and I’ve had to learn that those quiet little wins mean more than one big breakthrough.

We’re More Than a Clinic

Yes, we offer vaccines and checkups, but Mums & Bums is also a place to vent or just sit in silence with someone who gets it. We’re here whether you need medical care or emotional support.

What Are Our Future Plans at Mums & Bums

Because I love to learn and grow, something new is always planned. Pretty soon, we hope to release some new classes and better ways to support moms. If you have suggestions or topics you’d like to see here, please send them over. This space grows with your input.

Let’s Stay Connected

You can always book an appointment, message us, or sign up for one of our upcoming classes. And if something you read here helps you even a little, I’d love to hear about it.

Thanks for stopping by. Let’s figure this out together.

All my love,

Sr Sam

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