"Overall my birthing experience was positive at Lyell McEwin"

I started having irregular contractions very late in the evening. When I called the hospital they told me to stay home, have a bath, take some pain relief and see how it goes. That's the negative side to my story. Eventually, an hour later I decided to go to the hospital only to find out I was fully dilated at 37 weeks. The midwife broke my waters and then I started having regular strong contractions after 50 minutes. My baby was born 25 minutes later. I had my birth plan and the midwife, was very respectful of my plan and followed it accordingly.

She did not enforce her opinions of breastfeeding on me. I felt she became pushy and told her opinion only when it was necessary as I was not cooperating much. When I had my baby an hour after arriving at the hospital, the midwife helped us make the formula bottles and brought me some spares to have later when she went off her shift. After birth she also took my baby next to her while she was doing her paperwork so I could get some sleep, and so she could keep an eye on their breathing.

I did end up breastfeeding but nobody pushed a lactation consultant or had their opinion forced on me. I started breastfeeding at home on my own terms and nobody forcing me into it. I left the following morning, but that's a positive too. Who wants to stay in the hospital more than a sleepover anyway?

I ended up leaving mid morning and thought that was late as I wanted to get home earlier, get into my bed or spend time with my family and my beautiful new baby.

Overall my birthing experience was positive.