"Planned VBAC turned Caesarean birth with MGP4"

After being accepted as a return client with MGP4 within King Eddies catchment area, four years after birthing my first baby through the program - I welcomed my second baby into the world with the help of the midwifery program and my amazing midwife - Emma (and her buddy Chloe)

After what felt like a more complex than I had originally expected birth of my first baby - an unsuccessful ECV at 37 weeks with my breech baby resulting in a caesarean due to baby being footling breech at 40 weeks, significantly negative post surgery reactions to the drugs and no spontaneous labour - this second time around felt like a night and day experience in a highly positive way.

Feeling an instant connection, welcoming and sense of ease and empowerment with my midwife Emma from the very first appointment, Emma took the time to make me feel heard with my previous pregnancy and birth story experiences from the get go. The continuity of care model she operated in allowed her to help shape this second birth journey, and postpartum period, to avoid many of the experiences I associated with grief/ trauma or unmet expectations from my first birth, ensuring this birth would not only be safe - but also be empowering and as a result - a very healing experience.

Emma supported me to plan for my preferred VBAC water birth through education, counselling and thorough conversations. I felt informed, educated and equipped with extra resources to pursue to support my planning and decisions. I also felt comfortable at all times that if I changed my mind at any point, and wanted to opt for a caesarean, I would still be completely and equally supported.

After my first birth experience, I developed a lot of fear around the idea of having another baby for the anticipation of a similarly complex birth coupled with fear around experiencing postpartum depression/ anxiety again. Going in to the birth of my second child, almost five years later, a few things were really important to me; 1. the safety of my baby, 2. my own safety (for my little girl's sake), 3. feeling present at the birth and in the moments and days after, and with that - 4. being less sick than I had been post-birth previously.

Emma supported me to feel like a VBAC was not only achievable and that I was a good candidate for it - but also a safe option considering all of the factors. The lead up to this birth, as a result, felt exciting and hopeful rather than scary and full of anxiety and anticipation. To even get to feel that way in the lead up felt special.

In the weeks from 38 weeks onwards, I also got to experience parts of pregnancy/ birth that I never got to before - something else I had been hopeful for this time around. I lost my mucus plug, had a bloody show, experienced many braxton hicks and felt baby drop into my pelvis.

At 40w6d my waters broke with blood at 2am. That had started a time clock for me due to risk of infection with broken waters. After visiting MAFAU a few times that day and following night for monitoring, examinations and antibiotics - I went home hoping for a more natural environment to get labour started. Contractions came eventually (which I was really happy to get to experience) however did not progress and I did not dilate. At 24 hours post-waters breaking, I was offered the two previously counselled options - induction or caesarean. I had made my birth plan feeling very clear on not wanting an induction due to the increased risk of uterine rupture with VBAC (my personal decision) so felt more at peace with having to have a non-elective caesarean compared to my previous birth. While my bucket, hose (for the waterbirth) and tens machine didn't get their moment to shine - I believe the calm that came soon after proceeding with the caesarean plan, was as a result of the midwifes and the model of care I was under.

Baby was born at 41w1d - my playlist was in the background, my people in the room, my desire for no students was advocated for, baby came to me almost straight after for skin to skin - she was healthy, I was healthy.

The advocacy and advisement of how to approach requesting different drugs due to my extreme reaction last time, really changed the experience for me also. I remember the entire post experience in beautiful detail, and while I still had vomiting post-surgery, I felt so present to soak up my new tiny human.

Knowing I was going to continue to have support at my home from Emma and her buddy midwife, Chloe, was very reassuring for me and other postpartum mamas in the program.

I would not want to birth any future babies outside of the MGP program. It is an excellent and needed model of care that I believe all hospitals should adapt to. MGP4 made the birth of my second baby and the start of my post partum journey this time round, a very positive and beautiful time in life.