"MGP birth"

I had really beautiful and personalised care under the MGP Program from start to finish. I was seen by all 4 of the Karratha MGP team at some point and they each listened and followed through on my pregnancy, birth and after care wishes.

I was able to labour in the birth suite using a range of equipment including the huge bath, and my midwife Lea kept the environment very calm, providing input as required. 

Unfortunately, after an extended third stage (3hrs) and after review by the OB it was decided my baby was in distress (meconium and altered foetal heart rate) and I was not able to progress. My midwife did everything to support me and guide me and my partner through what was happening and the recommendations being made - forceps assisted delivery or c-section.

I was then taken down to theatre whilst still in active labour and involuntary pushing, where we were met by the on call team and consultant. I was obviously in distress and my partner made it very clear that I was very anxious about any surgical interventions.

I was not made aware at this point what my pain management options were and I was notably scared. I recall I was then being scolded by the consultant every time my body started pushing telling me: 'your baby is in distress every time you do that! You need to stop'. I was then asked to move down the bed whilst also being asked to stay still for the anaesthetist to gain IV access, with every move a new surge began. A catheter was then roughly and painfully inserted without explanation/consent from the consultant. I was trying to focus on my partner and midwife to breathe through the contractions when the consultant asked me whether I was consenting to a forceps delivery or if I wanted to proceed straight to a c-section. Again I felt I was scolded, you need to make eye contact with me so I know you understand what I am saying!, to which I responded “I am listening but I cannot look at you”, but was again told to make eye contact. I agreed to one attempt at forceps delivery.

I was then rolled over for a spinal block, which gave immense relief to the situation. But again I was scolded by the consultant during the procedure for allowing my contractions to push through when I had to curl into a ball. Why was the spinal not given sooner? Especially prior to catheter insertion. I was then asked by the consultant to move down the bed, despite being unable to feel my legs. Everyone else in the room were very attentive and warm and helped me wherever they could. I was then told to give a “dummy push” to ensure I was able to assist with the delivery. The absolute lack of sensation was wild to me and so after my attempt I giggled as I could not understand how I had achieved anything, and I wasn’t told if I had achieved something. Again, I was scolded, this is not a laughing matter. 

I was also aware of the way in which the consultant spoke to their colleagues, responding with frustration when clarification of their directions were sought e.g. the pitocin dosing and infusion rate, and seemingly disregarding the midwife when she tried to highlight the dropping foetal heart rate.

I was then washed and an episiotomy was then performed, I was not guided through each step as it happened. But baby was delivered and very briefly placed on my tummy however was unresponsive at the time and taken away for airway support. I was then stitched up with an unknown amount of sutures which was made to sound like normal protocol as they were dissolvable, and I was then prescribed 2x IV ABs due to the emergency nature of the delivery. I was later reassured by the assisting OB that the episiotomy was clean and uncomplicated.

Once the consultant left the theatre and I was in recovery I was reassured and well cared for by all the attending staff. I am appreciative that my baby entered the world and is now happy and healthy. My own recovery has been much slower, mainly due to a lot of swelling and bruising but also a different mental state due to the nature of my baby’s delivery.