"MGP4 vaginal birth at KEMH, breastfeeding support"

I was lucky enough to get into the midwifery group practice at KEMH, with midwife Lolita and backup midwife Carissa. I loved the continuity of care of seeing Lolita for all my antenatal appts. I felt she was also very supportive of my student midwife from ECU and showed her how to do observations during appts.

I went in for reduced movement at 39 weeks, was checked thoroughly by the Maternal Fetal Assessment Unit team and was offered induction at 39+2, which I accepted. I was wonderfully supported by the birth suite midwives initially, and made comfortable in a private room.

Once my contractions were established Lolita took over and stayed for many hours and overnight. She fully involved my student midwife who was able to 'catch' my baby with Lolita's help. I used gas and air for contractions and was able to push without any drugs or epidural.

Aftercare was great as well, I had 2+ hours of skin to skin before measurements were taken, and delayed cord clamping. Most helpfully, Lolita, Carissa and another midwife visited me at home each day for 6 days and were very helpful with breastfeeding. Lolita hired a hospital pump for me and explained how to express and finger feed until my baby's latch improved.

At week 4 I went to a Breastfeeding Centre appt (there is a bit of a waitlist) which was hugely helpful in correcting my breastfeeding position and baby's latch. I have nothing but the highest praise for the entire team at KEMH, especially as I understand they are extremely busy with the Covid baby boom and short-staffed. I feel we are so lucky to have fantastic public care in WA.