"Birth Story"

I’m a first time mum who gave birth at Joondalup public health campus. My contractions were close and painful when I went to the hospital. I was given the option to go home when I was 4cm dilated. Was told my contractions were useless, which they weren’t. By the time i got to the carpark i had 3 intense contractions and went back to admit myself. I was advised to have a warm shower and bath as i was in pain after being strapped to the monitor.

In the shower my waters broke and no one knew! I came out and kept yelling I needed to push but was asked to inhale the gas every time i had a contraction. Pretty quickly my baby’s heart rate dropped. The midwife tried to break my waters before realising she couldn’t feel the membranes and that my waters had already broken.

Then i was surrounded by 5 people yelling at me to push. I was given an episiotomy and made to push on my back on bed and the baby had to be vacuum sucked. My body did everything on time and perfectly well yet the baby was distressed because no one knew my waters broke. I recall the midwife kept yelling listen! Listen! And that I need to push or I will lose my baby. I will never forget these words. This seemingly heartless midwife didnt realise that as a first time mum i didnt know where to push and I felt they had gassed me out of my mind!! Thank God for the Dr who yelled to push with my bum. As soon as I heard that, I pushed the baby out! I held the midwife in pain, they grabbed my hand and moved it away.

I believe my birth could have been a beautiful experience and my baby wouldnt have had to be distressed and be vacuum sucked had the seemingly rude midwife hadnt given me an option to go home, had been more attentive, knew the water broke and i was in labour and let me push upon my body’s request.

Breastfeeding was a nightmare with every midwife giving different opinions and the inconsistency driving us insane. I believe JHC is not suited for first time parents who have no idea about birthing and no family to assist.

I found some of the midwives here are very rude, unkind and not caring. I feel they always use an accusatory tone when they questioned me about the baby when I’m only a first time mum.

Would have been a lot nicer if the midwife advised us to admit ourselves the first time and had a caring demeanor. Kept check on the water and didnt yell i was losing my baby, that i am traumatised by till this day.

In the end the mother and baby are alive and well, i guess although it could have been a lot better i am happy that we are both well and happy i didnt need a surgery or epidural.