"Giving birth"

I was transferred from the family birthing centre up to king eddies after pushing for a long time and not progressing.

I asked for an epidural and it gave me some relief after a long pushing phase.

I met two obstetricians. I generally felt that their care was good.

They suggested forceps immediately and I asked if we could try vacuum first. They did, but after 3 unsuccessful attempts resolved to forceps. I did ask for no episiotomy to be performed, however one of the doctors said if we don’t do it you will tear so eventually I said ok. I ended up having not only the episiotomy but also a 4th degree tear! I’m still trying to make sense of this and wonder what would have happened if I had stood my ground and said no to the episiotomy. 

The worst part of my birth was an interaction with the shift coordinator who not only walked into the delivery room and asked if there was a hand sticking out of my vagina (there wasn’t) without introducing themselves or saying hello, they also gave me the syntosinon injection after my baby was born without a word or explanation or an attempt to ask for my consent. No one discussed with me why I received and needed the injection. 

In general, I believe the doctors were trying to do the right thing and I received good care, I just don’t understand why everything was so rushed and there seemed not much time to talk to me and ask for my preferences, a huge difference to the Family Birthing Centre. My baby’s heart rate dropped a couple of times but stabilised again, so I didn’t think it was such an emergency and have confirmed this in my medical debrief with a doctor which was good. I felt listened to and I felt I could get some closure. All in all I don’t remember my birth as a bad experience at all, the recovery from the 4th degree tear is the hardest part, however I am able to go to the physio at King eddies as well as the perineal care clinic which does help. 

I wanted to say a big thank you to one particular Obstetrician, their sense of humour and the way they spoke to me during the final part of my birth made me feel cared for and made me feel like I was in good hands.