"The Birth of Our First Child"

We were referred to the MGP Program through King Eddies through our GP.

From about 17 weeks gestation period, we started to meet with our Midwife Belinda from Group 5.

Our Midwife, Belinda made monthly appointments with myself and my husband until we hit the 36 week gestation period (after this time, we had weekly appointment check in's) . At each appointment, we discussed all parts of pregnancy, labour and birth which included mental health check ins, belly measurements and listen in's with the doppler. We were also introduced to Holly, who was Belinda's buddy midwife, who was also available should Belinda not be available.

As we got close to being full term, we discussed a birth plan which was outlined in our handbook. We also discussed what would happen should we go over the 40 week mark which included being monitored by the MFAU - Maternal Fetal Assessment Unit & Inductions.

As our due date approached and sure enough passed, we received a huge amount of care from the staff at King Eddies. We were monitored daily from the 41 week mark which included being hooked up to the CTG Machine to check babes heart rate & accelerations. This gave us confidence that babe was happy and healthy even though he had passed his due date.

We ended up being booked for an induction which we got the call for once we hit 41 + 5 days. Here we were cared for by various midwives, who ensured that we were kept well informed throughout the labour and birth process. Each midwife - including Belinda's buddy, Holly, who were involved through the labour, were incredibly kind and caring and had the ability to read the room and match the level of energy at each stage of labour.

We ended up being in labour for roughly 32 hours as I was determined to have a water birth, which meant limited pain relief options. However, as the labour stalled and I became fatigued, I opted for an epidural. Unfortunately, I was the 1 in 20 people, by where the first epidural didn't work and I was still feeling each contraction. I ended up having a second epidural, which worked and definitely took the edge off. I was able to get a bit of rest in before it was time to push.

We met our little man the following evening and could not be more thankful that he arrived hearthside happy and healthy!

The following day, post birth, we were placed in a private room. All my friends and family told me to rest there whilst I could, however, we were constantly being visited by different departments constantly throughout the day. Between learning to care for a newborn as a first time mother as well as try to care for myself, I found each department visit incredibly overwhelming and found I couldn't wait to be back in the comfort of our home. I hardly got to 'rest' and found I had to turn away certain department visitors at times just so I could use the bathroom to change my pad or to shower, which I had not done prior to birthing or just to try and feed my baby without any interruption.

Once we were discharged the following evening, we were visited daily by Holly & Belinda. During our home visits, Holly & Belinda, checked in on babe and me, We were thoroughly cared for and provided with a breast feeding plan, which included a home delivery of a hospital grade breast pump to assist with bringing in milk. Unfortunately babe became jaundiced and we had to volume feed him to flush it through his system - which Holly & Belinda assisted with guiding us through. Once we were through to the other side and babe was back to his birth weight and the jaundice had flushed through his system, we were discharged from the MGP Program and were placed in the care of the child health nurse.

I cannot fault the experience had with the MGP Program - all the midwives who cared for us through the pregnancy, labour and birth were incredibly beautiful souls and I cannot fault the level of care provided. They were kind, knowledgeable and most of all made you feel heard. Anyone who gets to be apart of this program through their pregnancy is incredibly lucky!