"Waterbirth at Family Birth Centre."

I gave birth last week at the family birth centre at KEMH under the care of Olivia. This was my 3rd baby, yet first time at the family birth centre and I wish I could have had all my babies with the midwives from the birth centre.

I was blessed to work with Olivia throughout my pregnancy and birth with her. We built a relationship were I felt safe and cared for, I was educated about everything, ever step of the way and got to decide what I needed and wanted for myself and my baby.

I was 41 weeks and 6 days when I gave birth with 4 hours to spare before the 42 week cut off date. My only issue with my entre experience is due dates should have a week grace added as I believe my due date was incorrect an issue with my GP not the birth centre.

Olivia went above and beyond anything I'd thought I'd receive, when the clock was ticking down Olivia fought tooth and nail to help my labour progress and when met with resistance reassured me and we took time to relax and try again.

When things didn't go to plan we adjusted and broke my waters. Something I wasn't keen on but Olivia did it herself and was with me the whole time and things progressed rapidly from there.

I was determined to have a Waterbirth and it was the best thing I've ever done. We got into the birth pool with literal minutes to spare. The second I entered the water the intense pain and pressure on my pelvis disappeared and allowed me to feel the baby moving down and out. Olivia guided me through pushing and my son was born within 10 minutes. I had no tearing and birthed the placenta naturally which was new for me.

The whole experience was intense because of the rapid progress of my labour, despite this it was such a wonderfully positive experience I could finally understand why some say birth is a great experience. I could enjoy my son and having my husband hold me throughout it all.

My previous birthing experiences at a certain hospital left me traumatised and in survival mode I missed the joys of having a newborn. I'm so unbelievably grateful to Olivia for giving me everything I had hoped and prayed for.

I also meet with and worked with Katie, Chelsea and Tarnee. All these women were wonderful and caring. Katie was there to talk to when I was stressed and spiralling about my baby not coming yet. Katie calmed me down and talked me through all the things I could do and address emotional blocks I could be placing on myself.

The outstanding level of care all the women at the family birth centre give you is what every woman and baby deserve and should be the standard of care ever woman in Australia receives. If my story can convince even one woman to birth here I'll feel amazing.

There needs to be more birth centres period.