"Planned C Section"

I fell pregnant with my third late last year. Knowing that it'd be another c-section, I started to make a plan on how I would have our baby. Our first child was delivered through the emergency c-section in Bunbury Regional Hospital, Western Australia and our 2nd one was in Manjimup/Warren District Hospital Western Australia (planned c-section). I had a really great experience with my 2nd one, my doctor and their team were exceptional. The process was so smooth and the postnatal stay in the Hospital was great. Without doubt, I decided to have another planned c-section in Manjimup as it's closer to home and both of my children could come to visit me after school.

Because of COVID-19, I wasn't able to get my family from overseas to come to support me after birth and with the WA hard border, I wasn't even able to get my mother-in-law who lives in a different state to come and help me after birth. The only support I had was my husband who is FIFO workers but I tried to enjoy my pregnancy as I know that it'd be my last one.

4 weeks before the due date, I was informed by my doctor that I might have to go to Bunbury to do my c-section but the decision was not final as there'd be a specialist coming from Perth to do an assessment and the decision would go from there.

3 weeks before the due date, I met the specialist at Manjimup hospital. They performed an ultrasound and checked on my previous c-section scars and the specialist said they were happy with it and they thought that I shouldn't go to Bunbury to have c-section. They also mentioned that they would come down on the day to be in the theatre while my Doctor and their team performed the surgery. I was so happy knowing that I could go with my plan and my husband would be there with me while my children would be at school.

My C-section date was booked, and one day before that, I was supposed to have a pre-op appointment with my doctor in the morning. 30 mins before my appointment, I received a phone call from Bunbury Regional Hospital, informing me that I had to go to Bunbury to have my c-section as Manjimup Hospital was no longer an option for me (they did mention about Manjimup not being equipped to do this surgery as there's a chance I might get bleeding after the surgery). I was shocked and upset knowing that I had to change my plan less than 24 hours before I am having a baby.

After the phone call, I went to see my Doctor, who also seemed shocked as they just got the phone call informing them the same. I believe my Doctor didn't understand why I couldn't go forward with the surgery and they said they couldn't help but promised me that they'd look after me when I got back from Bunbury. It was devastating to know that I had to make a plan on where we would stay that night (the surgery was the next day and I had to be there first thing in the morning) as it took us a few hours’ drive to Bunbury. I also had to plan who would look after my young children while I was at the hospital. Luckily we found a daycare who was happy to take both of them for a day while my husband is in the hospital with me.

When I arrived in the Bunbury hospital the next morning, the maternity ward was full and everyone seemed so busy. There might be about 3 women who I believe were having baby that morning and I had to wait as there was emergency c-section happening when it was supposed to be my turn. While waiting for the theatre to be ready, I got told by a nurse that if the surgery went well, they would put me in ambulance in a few hours and bring me back to Manjimup. That information surprised me as in my understanding, why I had to go to Bunbury was because they were worried if I had bleeding after the surgery. So to send me back to Manjimup after the c section was not a good idea, in my opinion, as I believe that if the bleeding really happened, then I had to go back again to Bunbury. So I refused to leave on the same day and asked to stay at least 24 hours.

I got approval to get back to Manjimup the next morning and we went back home just after lunchtime. I stayed there for a few days and had a great time as everyone was really supportive. The doctors, nurses and midwives were so lovely and helpful.

Until now, I still don't get the answer why I couldn't have my c-section in Manjimup as I did have my 2nd child in Manji hospital with the same doctor and also I had clearance from that specialist from Perth saying that I could have my baby here in Manji. I don't understand why they wanted to send me back to Manjimup a few hours after the surgery if the reason that I went to Bunbury was a chance to get bleeding after the surgery.

I do really hope that no one has to be in the situation like I was recently. Especially with all of these COVID restrictions and a hard border in place, it's already hard enough for us to give birth in the hospital without so much support from the extended family.