"Birth story - Thanks to Positive Birth Program"

Some may read our birth experience as being a bit stressful, don't get me wrong it was overwhelming at the time, though looking back at it now I wouldn't change a thing, because our gorgeous baby boy is safe & in our arms 💙

We were originally booked in for a c-section because bubby was footling breech, transverse and everything in between, he kept changing position weekly & the Drs wouldn't let me birth naturally. Though the week before the booked c-section when we saw Dr, bubby was head down (not engaged & still kind of twisted, but finally head down nonetheless) so we agreed to cancel c-section but they wanted us to book an induction instead to catch him while his head was down the week later. So fast forward to almost a week later we came into the hospital around mid-afternoon for induction as normal, bub was still head down though he was posterior & in an 'unfavourable' position. Over an hour later they put in the balloon (folies catheter it dilates cervix - my cervix was currently only 1cm & 'unfavourable' also) but as soon as the nurse had finished putting it in I felt warm water and it actually had broken my waters/waters broke naturally - we are unsure.

Nurse noticed a colour in my waters that concerned them that bubby had actually done a poo. So then they had to induce me straight into labour that night (was supposed to be the next morning) and take the balloon out. They started me on the hormone drip at late afternoon but by about night time they actually turned it off and I was contracting naturally by myself because bubby wasn't handling the intensity of the contractions (and neither was I as I was doing drug-free, though even my natural contractions will still sending me through the roof, the synthetic hormone intensifies the contractions as well - wasn't very fun in my opinion).

I even tried the 'sterile water injections' in my back to try ease the pain & let's just say I will never ever have those again - wasn't a pleasant experience. We had a discussion around half an hour later with the midwife that the boss Dr wanted to know our thoughts on c-section as they were worried about the poo in the womb as that is very dangerous and bubby not handling the contractions & we couldn't stop the labour, we either needed to crank the hormone drip back up and monitor bubby or go in for c-section. The boss Dr luckily has been my gyno over 5 years they diagnosed my endo etc so they know us & our history, we are so grateful they were the one on call that night it worked out perfectly!

The doctor called the other Dr/Midwife & spoke to my husband on phone & then it was decided between the health of bub and I that c-section was needed. So we went in for c-section just before midnight (we laboured drug-free from mid afternoon to midnight). When they pulled him from my tummy they dropped the sheets & there they were, our darling little boy. He was covered in poo and it was through his umbilical cord, in his mouth, up his nose etc. They had a pretty rough start and couldn't breathe properly so he got rushed off to nursery (I only got a minute of skin to skin but knew it was best not to be selfish - he needed to go to nursery). By 1am-ish we were back together & loved up to the eyeballs. The next day I was crook the entire day. Nausea, horrific vomiting, body itches etc from the spinal block (I cannot handle heavy drugs) and I felt they couldn't get it under control. It wasn't until late afternoon that day that I was able to somewhat function, have a shower & some food. That night bubby had to sleep in nursery as he was coughing up mucus (combo of the poo & being c-section baby) & choking & I slept alone. The day after that was a great day & my first real day of being a Mummy & I loved it!

I could not have done this without the incredible support of my darling husband, I honestly cannot thank him enough. he stayed so strong & kept me focussed, fed me, massaged me, breathed with me, cried with me & loved me hard. I believe it was an overwhelming experience for him too & how he kept everything together to support me was just incredible!

The positive birthing classes (we did all classes including c-section and breastfeeding/early parenting) played an integral part in staying calm and making informed decisions during our birthing. Super grateful for the midwives at BRH as they supported our hypnobirthing experience with providing a dimmed room, LED candles, letting us use our essential oils in their diffuser, playing our soundtracks through our portable speaker and ensuring I focussed on my breathing during my surges. Jamie & I will be forever grateful for Kasey & Holly for our zoom classes. I really hope they receive the support needed to keep these going so other Mums & Dads can have the opportunity to utilise these incredible resources also!

.Thank you so much again xo