At Bella Mama we love to hear about the arrival of our bella babies. We are often inspired and uplifted to hear how special your birth experiences have been and with this in mind have asked some of our clients to share their stories with you.
During pregnancy it's easy to be influenced by negative comments from well meaning onlookers who are eager to share bad experiences or warn us of impending problems
"my cousins sister had a 36 hour labour!" or
"my goodness you're much too big/small" or
"because of your age/size/dates, you'll probably have to have an induction/c-section!"
These "Bella Birth Stories" are designed to do the opposite - to show how wonderful, positive and empowering the birth process can be. We are so grateful to our valued clients for agreeing to share them with us and with you too.
If you have your own Bella Birth Story we would of course, love to hear from you.
Email us (with a photo if possible) and we will include it on this page to inspire others.
Olive's Arrival
Hi Jo
Sorry it's taken so long to get this down. I've had a challenging first 9 weeks! With Olive wearing the harness and the reflux. We got the harness off on Wednesday, so that is one less problem that we will have to deal with now. We're enjoying massaging her after your lesson! But, anyway...you want to hear about the birth, so I had better get into it!
Signs that I was going into labour started at about 8am on 14 Feb (Valentine's Day) when I had my "show" and not long after that I started getting contractions (although mild at that stage). Tim and I decided to get things going by taking the dog for a walk along the beach. By the time we got ourselves sorted and into the car, I was starting to get uncomfortable. Contractions were quite frequent already, sometimes only a minute or so apart, so I didn't feel like venturing too far from home. I called the midwife on the beach, and before long, I felt the need to get back to the house.
At home we started timing contractions, and set about making lunch for the long stretch ahead. All the time, I was relaxed and just excited about finally getting to meet our baby. I spent time bouncing and circling my hips on the swiss ball. Things progressed very quickly and by 1pm contractions were coming at least every minute, and were ranging between 3-5 mins. I really had to focus to get through each one. We'd done the hypnobirthing, which all seemed to go out the window on the day! I couldn't lie on my back like you see in a lot of the hypnobirthing videos, instead choosing to lean forward over a stack of pillows or against the wall. I circled my hips for each one which seemed to really help a lot. Tim helped by holding my hips and circling them for me, as well as reminding me to breath through each contraction. I really used the "Just this breath" and "I am coping, it comes and it goes" mantras, as well as counting. But most help of all was breathing. Slow controlled breaths in through the nose, and out through the mouth. I just concentrated on breathing as slowly and deeply as possible, and it seemed to really help. I can't believe how everything just gets so foggy and you can't remember all your tools on the day. It's good if your partner has some idea of what you want to use, a list or something to remind you, because my mind really wasn't clear enough to think "what else can I use to get through this?".
At 2.30pm we headed off to Birthcare, and that was a really awful trip - now I see why people don't wait too much longer to get to the hospital - it's too blimmin uncomfortable. I had three contractions on the way there. I was 4cm dilated on arrival, and midwife was able to do a stretch/sweep which increased it to 6cm. I hopped into the birthing pool, and spent the next 2 hours kneeling forward leaning on the step in the pool, breathing through each contraction. I found that the best way for me to deal with each contraction was to focus on the breath.
Transition was fleeting - I recall one thought of "What if I can't do this?" and the options at that stage would be to transfer to Auckland for an epidural, which was unthinkable considering how uncomfortable I was - contractions coming on top of one another! So I just pushed the thoughts out of my head, and said to myself "You CAN do this".
Unfortunately I couldn't have the waterbirth i had wished for. At 6.30pm I was told that I could push... and after a few attempts in the pool, my midwife suggested that it may be easier out on the bed. After 2 and a quarter hours pushing, Olive was born. Her head was slightly cocked to the left, so "breathing her out" was impossible - I definitely had to push!
I am certain yoga helped me get through the labour without medical pain relief. All the breathing exercises, mantras and focus practice was so helpful. I also had made time for relaxation/meditation every day. and I studiously repeated a page of affirmations to myself every morning for about 4 months. The one that I'm certain made a world of difference was "My baby's birth will be easy because I'm so relaxed". It really rang true for me on the day (I'm NOT a relaxed person by nature!). I still can't believe how calm and relaxed I was throughout the labour and birth - given how exciting it all was.
I had SUCH a positive experience. It didn't matter that I didn't do things exactly as we planned. I was open to anything on the day, and that made it so much easier mentally to get through. Thanks so much for all your advice and encouragement during yoga. It was invaluable.
With love Amy Thomas
A VBAC for Nikunja
Hi Jo
I had my second boy on the 8th of April. I'm pleased to tell you that I had the VBAC that I planned for. I went into labour the day before my family and I had planed to go to Waiheke. My brother in law was getting married on Friday in the Island. I had packed my bags at 10.00pm went to bed. By 11.00pm the contractions started, and went on till 4.00pm. This was not established labour. I went into the birthing unit at 4.00am and had to come back at 9.00am. My husband was great with the massage on the lower back, helped a lot. At 4.00pm my midwife asked me try the castor oil with juice, which I did. Half an hour later the contractions were 5mins apart.
The Midwife came at 6.00pm and said that we had to rush to the birthing unit as quickly as possible. When I was in the car I felt the baby coming right down. I thought I was going to have the baby in the car. I remembered to breath at every contraction slowly, but at times I would sream. When I asked my husband about it later of what he thought he said " it didn't bother me because I knew it is just the women's thing". After I got there I went into the water and stayed there for about an hour. I had to have the gas. My midwife was rubbing my lower lower back which was soothing. Becase i didn't want to have a water birth they got me out qickly. by this time I had the urge to push. At 8.40pm my baby was born (not named yet working on it).
Thank you Jo for your yoga classes and for your enthusiasm. They were inspiring, positive and fun. For me I feel that the yoga classes helped me to positive, as well as hearing about the other births. I have told my midwife about your classes and how it helped me with different postures and to bring baby in the right position. She will recommend them to her ladies.Thank you again and I wish all the best to the ladies with their pregnancy and birth.
Ys Nikunja
PS: Baby now has a name - Jay Nitai :)
Cameron's Birth Story...
Baby Cameron was born on the 29th January at 2.25pm, weighing in at 8lb 13ozs (4kg) and 56cm long…….he’s going to be tall like his daddy!
After having a reflexology treatment the night before to try and bring on the labour naturally, which I believe worked a treat (had never had one before either, so it was just nice to have someone giving my feet a massage!!), my labour started at 2am in the morning of the 29th, I managed to not wake Gordon (my hubby) until about 5.45am, when I felt I needed some company, things were getting a bit stronger but not too bad.
All the time we were at home I had my relaxation CD going non-stop, Gordon just kept hitting play when it got to the end each time and with each surge I was swinging and swaying my hips to get through it and doing a lot of talking out loud to myself, saying whatever crazy thing entered my head at the time, sometimes this would come out in a sing-song way. Gordon just stood by on hand whenever I needed him. The hypno-birthing kinda went out the window a little but I definitely used the breathing techniques that we learnt and it is also helped Gordon, he would just keep reminding me of the beach and waves in and out, little things to keep my focus on my breathing.
Once at the hospital, we were met by my wonderful midwife Diane Hirst, we went to our birthing suite and I continued with my swinging hips and breathing each surge through. This was when I discovered I had forgotten my relaxation CD but luckily had downloaded it onto my phone, so on went the headphones and we were able to continue on ‘merrily’. The birth pool was filled with water and I stripped down for emersion. Although for some crazy reason I did put on my bikini top?! The water was a great relief for a while and at times I almost went to sleep with Gordon holding my head out of the water, I was on my hands and knees you see, face down! :) I was in the birth pool for quite sometime, can’t remember how long! And according to Gordon I was ‘mooing’ my way through each surge. (So true what you were saying in
pregnancy yoga class Jo!!)
Eventually Diane (midwife) had to make a call as things were getting a bit tricky down below, Baby Cameron’s head was getting stuck on part of my cervix, so each time I was trying to push he just wasn’t able to go anywhere, the hands and knees position that I had been in for so long was hindering progress. So I had to make the great move from water to bed between surges and get my legs in the air basically. With a lot of coaching from Diane and Gordon, it got to the point where it was time to bear down and get him out, unfortunately lil Cam had decided that his head did not need to form the bullet shape it should to come down the birth canal and I ended up having to push out 37cm circumference head! Diane had to make another call to save me from further damage and give me an episiotomy, I was completely happy with her suggestions as I had complete trust in her, she of course has done thousands of deliveries before and could see the signs of what could happen! I guess from the beginning to the end my birth experience was 12 hours long, a big day for all involved but an amazing experience, something that changes you a little forever inside and brings you something to treasure for the rest of your life……….
Many thanks to you Jo….. for the
lovely massages that you gave me in the later stages of my pregnancy and coming to your
preggy yoga classes was helpful in so many ways for me, I looked forward to seeing you and the other mums to be, it was nice to be able to share our thoughts for the week if we wanted and your words of experience and comfort through the class were hugely appreciated by me, I’ll treasure those classes forever!!
Hugs and love
Mummy Debbie and Daddy Gordon
Helen’s Birth Story of Amelia Rosa – “Milly” born 14.08.09 at 0902am weighing 8lb 13oz (4.02kg)
Our new baby girl Milly was born in the water on Friday 14th August 2009 after a 3 hour labour. She was well past her due date by at least 10 days and I’d been experiencing practice labour for a week leading up to her birth.
Throughout the week I’d been relaxing through any of the practice labour, breathing and listening to affirmations. I found the CDs very useful to get to sleep to – just like I’d found them very useful throughout most of my pregnancy. I felt I was well rested by the end of the week. On Thursday night I went to bed with the usual mild practice surges (contractions/Braxton hicks) hoping that tonight would be the night. To be honest I was totally fed up of being pregnant – along with the constant pressure from friends and family enquiring as to when would this baby be born! I woke a few times in the night disappointed that nothing seemed to be progressing. However I slept soundly between 3-6am and was woken suddenly at 6am with a stronger sensation.
The surges weren’t regular – some coming every 5 mins, others every 2 or 3 mins and some were long, some short. So I was unsure of where I was at. Nevertheless we called my Mum to come look after the kids and by 7.40am I’d decided it was time to start to make a move to the birthing centre. Meanwhile I’d been focusing on breathing and relaxing through each and every surge plus I had some breakfast and a shower.
We got into the car and towards the end of our 10 minute journey I noticed feeling pressure intensifying and very low down. On arrival at the birthing centre at 8.15am my midwife checked baby and me, I was 8 cm dilated, baby had descended right down and her heartbeat was fine. I got into the pool – bliss to be emerged in warm water. Phil used some affirmations and an anchor through the next couple of surges, but very quickly I felt the intensity and pressure increase and the need to breathe downwards. Our baby crowned and I continued to breathe her out – relaxing and letting go as much as I could. My body and my baby did all the work – all I needed to do was breathe through each surge.
It was truly an amazing experience to feel her head crown and feel it emerge – the water giving incredible support to my body. After her head was born one more surge and out came her body. The midwife passed her to me, cord still intact and we just enjoyed watching her in my arms, waiting for the placenta to detach. It felt like a long time for this to happen as I felt this part of the process was quite uncomfortable, and it was harder to remember to breathe and relax when you have this new little person in your arms! Finally after 30 mins the placenta detached and was born, the cord was clamped and Milly had some bonding time with her Dad while I got out of the pool. I then breastfed Milly, enjoying the surreal feeling of having had an incredible experience over the past one hour. A lot had happened in a very short time.
I feel incredibly blessed to have been able to give our daughter a gentle and calm entry into this world. Once again I credit the tools and techniques of HypnoBirthing that helped give me the knowledge and confidence to release, relax and let go. My body and my baby truly knew what to do.
For more information on Hypno-Birthing see www.positivebirths.co.nz
Mine's Story - Jann arrives at home.
First of all, Jo, I want to thank you for the great yoga classes and massages that prepared me for this second wonderful experience. On Friday 27th of Feb, our beautiful boy was born. We called him Yann, after my brother back home. As with Jack, we had a home birth, but this time I did not use the birthing pool as I wasn't very comfortable with the warm water. I did get in a few times (even had a nap in between some of the far apart contractions in the bath) but I just couldn't stay in.
Labour started at 11pm with my waters breaking and contractions were very random and all over the place. Some very close together, than some 10 min apart. This lasted for 4 hours or so, but by 3.30am I woke up my husband (who had fallen asleep on the couch) and told him that maybe he should call the midwife, although we were not sure if I was progressing or not (contractions were still random but getting very painfull). With my first pregnancy, they would build up nicely and get longer and shorter apart, but now it was a totally different story.
Anyway, the midwife arrived just after 4am and Yann was born 10 min later in our living room. It was an amazing experience, although more painfull than the first time around (which I blame on not being rested as well and going into the labour already quite tired).
At 6am (while I was taking a shower) our 2year old, Jack, woke up and he was able to meet his new brother when he was not even 2 hours old. He was very proud but a little confused as to why those ladies (midwives) were in our house at this time of day.
We had another great birth and all I have to do now is try to talk John into having another one, so we can do this again. Having the babies at home all makes it so much more relaxed...
Big hugs and kisses from Mine, husband John, Jack and baby Yann.
The photo in attachment was taken just after Jack had woken up to meet his new brother. I am just so in love with my 3 gorgeous boys!
Mine De Belder
Rachel's Story - An unexpected arrival!
Hi Jo
Happy New Year! Thanks so much for the massage at the end of last year. Below is my birth story!
Saturday morning 06 Dec I felt the usual Braxton Hicks at about 0915 and didnt think much of it as I've been getting them throughout the pregnancy. They were very irregular 1030, 1115, 1200 etc so I didnt really pay much attention to them. At lunch when my husband was about to have a beer I said joking that he should have a quiet one just in case they eventuate to something. We carried on our usual activities, I vacuumed the house, did the dishes, watched some DVD's. We went over to my mother-in-law's place this was about 3pm and I was still getting the Braxton's but it wasn't that bad, maybe a little more painful then usual. We weren't worried because when we went to the midwife on Wed she said I wasn't engaged and I didn't have the waddle that normal pregnant people do when they are about to drop. A good friend of mine was having a party out Mangawhai for the house they were building and all day I was saying I wanted to go up there and have a look around. Dave wasn't sure because it was so far to go up north and if something did happen it would be too far from anywhere! So after a few hours at around 1730 I gave up and said we wouldn't go and text my friend saying sorry but I have these strange pains in my belly so better not come up just in case. At this stage the pains got a little stronger and a little stronger but it was strange as they were just on one side (the other side to my bolts in my back) so thought if it was the real thing it would hurt all over.
So at about 6pm I said to Dave to look around for the bits of paper we had from antenanal classes that told us when to call the midwife just in case things got worse. I hadn't had any of the usual signs, no show, no water breaking and not what I considered labour pains but they were sure getting frequent! So at 1840 we decided maybe we should time how long apart and how long for they were and then after an hour we could call Deb our midwife and see what she thought. Dave was doing the times and cooking dinner at the same time and by about 1900 they were 3 min apart for about a minute which was what was in the booklets we had been given. So Dave started to get the car ready so if we needed to go we could, then at 1930 I had this jolting kind of feeling that I needed to go to the bathroom so Dave helped me down there and all of a sudden I felt like something heavy had dropped from inside me, Dave quickly called Deb the midwife and told her about the pains and times and that I had a feeling to push and she said ok go to the hospital and that she would meet us there. So Dave was trying to get me to get up and I said no something is defiantly happening now and that he should go wash his hands and see if he could feel anything, when he came back he could feel something it was her head, one push and out popped her head and then seconds later her body! We both looked at each other in shock! Dave called Deb back and said it was too late and that she was here and what should we do, she said to call 111 and get to the hospital so I had the other phone calling 111 and getting them to talk us through what to do. Savanna was fine she cried when she came out and we wrapped her up and just both sat there really wondering what the heck had just happened. I asked Dave what it was and he was like, its a girl! I was so shocked because 80% of everyone said it was going to be a boy! I was like really? Are you sure and its not just hiding down there, no definitely a girl! 20 mins later the ambulance arrived and took me and Savanna to Hospital and Dave quickly called the family to say get to the hospital because the newest member was here and drove himself to Takapuna Hosptial. Once we got there Deb checked me over, delivered the placenta and a couple of hours later we were sitting in the hospital still in complete shock that we had just had a home birth with no drugs and we now had a tiny little baby girl 5 pounds 11 ounces!
So yeah Savanna Paula Miller is on the scene, she has a tight connection with her Daddy as you can imagine since he delivered her and cut the cord etc. I just had to keep her warm and safe for 9 months lol.
I think I was very lucky that I could have her at home. I'm not sure if my focused breathing counted as each breath was a focused breath! My thoughts on how Hypno-birthing classes helped is that they made me realise that I could have a natural birth and my body does know what to do. My mind was relaxed and let my body take over. Also that my baby was the perfect size for my body.
Rachel
Jacinta's Story - A beautiful home birth.
Hi Jo,
Have been meaning to write to you about my labour experience but have been a bit preoccupied with little Stella! Well my waters broke at 3.30am on my due date (very text book!) & even though my midwife had said take a couple of panadol & try & get some sleep if it starts in the middle of the night there was definitely no way I was going to be getting anymore sleep! – I was way too excited & the contractions seemed stronger when I lay down as well. So I tried to keep myself busy & occupied until about 6 in the morning – MSNing my friends and finishing off some work! all while bouncing on my swiss ball to try and keep things progressing.
I can’t tell you enough how comforting it was to be in my own home I really believe this helped me to stay calm & not get stressed or anxious about what was happening. We had made the house so comforting and relaxing – oils burning, candle lit, my fav music playing the whole time – I actually got a bit emotional and teary about it at one point (maybe it was the hormones : ) but it was exactly how I had visualized it & where I wanted my baby to be born.
Jaan set up all the props I intended to use on the dining room table, & his Mum (my 2nd midwife) & him set about filling up the pool and we jumped in at about lunch time ….i was about 5-6cm then. The water was amazing I really loved it & found it really helpful for a good 2-3 hours – my contractions did slow however at 8-9cm and I decided to get out and get active …..walked around the garden for a while – poor Jaan it was pretty chilly but such a beautiful day & I was loving the fresh air.
I used so many different “tools” at different times I had read up on & different techniques for pain management - it really did give me the confidence to try for a home birth, Jaan gave excellent massage throughout – Thanks to your workshop! & I found acupressure really helpful – Jaan did this for almost the whole 1st stage, I also used different homeopathic remedies, TENS machine, lots of Aaaggghhhing together, banged stress balls together, and of course lots of breathing which my midwife said I was very good at …maybe due to all the yoga through pregnancy!
My support people were amazing a real team effort I couldn’t have done it without them - Jaan was by my side for almost every contraction – I had trained him up well on all the different techniques I wanted to use so we were on the same page through the whole thing – I think this definitely helped.
The 2nd stage of labour - the pushing was pretty long – 2 ½ - 3 hours & at one point they said we needed to get some action & see the baby or we would have to go to hospital ….. that was enough encouragement for me to pull some energy from I don’t know where & get this baby out! & within about ½ hour she was born. Wow! what an incredible life changing moment that second they put your baby on your chest – it makes all of the labour so worth it!
After a bit of skin to skin with our new baby, I went & showered & hopped into my own bed to feed Stella – Midwives & Jaan sat around chatting over some dinner & a glass of Vino – they said this was much better than if they were at hospital still filling in paperwork.
It was so great that Jaan didn’t have to leave me on my own that night we all just settled in for a rather sleepless night together ….not because Stella was crying just because we were all to overwhelmed to sleep so we all just lay there staring at each other!
I hope that this story may encourage other ladies to have confidence in their birth plans whatever they may be & confidence in their bodies doing what they need to, to get their babies out safely & who knows maybe even inspire someone to think about home birth as I really don’t think it is common enough & it really was the most incredible beautiful experience.
Take care & im sure I’ll see you soon for a massage & some yoga.
Jacinta, Jaan & Stella xo
Tania's Story - Chris arrives in the water.
Hi Jo,
Yes, our little boy has finally arrived! While he was determined to take his time, once he had decided it was time to grace us with his presence he did not muck about.
Chris arrived on Sunday night after only 5 1/2 hours of labour. Was watching the olympics and was having a few period like pains for about 1 min long every 10 mins.
At about 5pm they increase and caught my attention. John started timing and they were 2 mins long every 5 mins so we phoned the midwife to let her know that things were happening. 30 mins later and another call to the midwife as the contractions were speeding along. Midwife called to visit and I was now 5cm dilated. She suggested a quick trip into Birthcare. From what I've been told we were out to break the land speed record on the way there - not that I knew. 30 mins to Birthcare and I was now 8cm dilated and my water finally broke.
I jumped into the birthing pool and used the gas while going from 8 to 10cm and then it was time to push. I don't really remember too much other than I wish i could have had more of that gas!! Chris arrived at 10:40pm via a water birth and it was cuddles time with our new 7lb 6oz boy. The placenta was delivered and I felt a huge relief!
I had a heap of different options in my "toolbox" however I really only got to use 2 - the hip circling [belly dancing] while standing up, bent over, kneeling and the chanting.
Now I will admit that during the
yoga class I was very self conscious about making any noise, but I can assure you that I "aaaaaah"ed and "moooo"ed heaps and loud too!
The other thing that was firmly planted in my memory was Jo saying "keep the jaw relaxed and the pelvic floor will be relaxed" so this is what I concentrated on.
Plenty of rest too as it is quite draining - but well worth it.
Thanks so much Jo for all your help, support and fantastic massages - they definitely helped to ensure I was in the best possible shape for giving birth.
Look forward to catching up with everyone in the
Mums and Baby yoga class.
Regards
Tania
Kyleigh's Story - a miracle birth!
Hello Jo, Sam and Sara,
Lovely to receive your email :-) My birth was FANTASTIC!! First of all I would like to thank all three of you, massage and yoga were wonderful through my pregnancy and all the information you shared really did help and play a part in my labour and birth- Thank you from the bottom of my heart- can't wait for the next pregnancy!!
I had a massage on the Tuesday with Sam, then went out for dinner that night- my contractions started an hour apart then slowly became 1/2 hourly- was so excited! At 3.30am was having regular but not so painful contractions- by 5.30am they were full on and labour had started. my midwife came to visit me at home to see how I was going- only 2cm dilated- felt gutted- seemed to have been SO long already. Kept as mobile as possible, trying to get comfortable and kept breathing. (my bean bags were the best to lie all over etc) Had a shower/bath (ended up lying down in bath to get comfortable). Vomiting the whole time at home- wow that was an experience, trying to have contractions and be sick all at the same time- hence being a woman and multi-tasking!
Got to the hospital at 1.15pm, by this stage our birth plan (which we knew it's just a guideline) went completely out of the window- my mum was with us for the entire labour and birth, I ended up using the birthing pool to labour- which I was so not interested in touching- ended up being a god send... Had an injection in the thigh to stop me being sick, had one puff gas- was sick all over again and felt unsafe so kept doing it myself with my breath... occasionally needed the reminder to breathe and stop holding onto it.
For me the Hot shower, pool and having my back rubbed for hours worked really well- by 3.15pm I was in pain and I think more than anything I was so tired with the labour that I then had my next pain relief option- pethidine, which was awesome- gave me enough of a break in between contractions that I could breathe through and handle them with more energy. at 4.30pm my midwife asked if I wanted her to break my waters- oh yes! that relief in itself was great! then what happened next- our baby was on her way!
I used the birthing stool- the position was great to open the pelvis and birth comfortably (well as comfortable as it can be). 20 mins of pushing and out came our gorgeous baby girl- Georgia Isabel Britton- 6lb 15oz.
The pushing I think was my favourite part- the burning, stretching feeling isn't the greatest but wow to be able to push her out and feel like you can do something with your breathe was well deserved at that stage. It was awesome- highly recommend it and looking forward to the next time.
I believe I was extremely blessed with our birth, a miracle birth really. I was expecting things to be a little more difficult considering my history and battle for years with Endometriosis and ovarian cysts and the countless amount of surgery I have had in the nether regions! I had no stitches and I was so glad to not need pain relief for 10 out of 12 hours of labour.
I can't wait to see you all and thank you in person, looking forward to my baby and mum yoga in a few months and visiting
Bella Mama for a belly wrap.
Hope you all are well, thank you again,
take care,
Kyleigh Thomas :-)
Mayu's Story - An elective C-Section.
Jo – I did have the elective C section and it was a really good experience. The team at National Women’s in Auckland were amazing. I was scheduled for a 2:30 theatre slot but got told that they were able to take me an hour an half earlier. I had never stayed at a hospital so I was really apprehensive about the operation. I was prepped by a midwife, nurse and two anesthetists who had a great sense of humor and made me feel really comfortable in a situation that I was a bit worried about. My husband Scott, stayed with me the whole time holding my hand and taking loads of photos!!! My obstetrician arrived – Dereck Souter from Origins and I felt totally at ease as I really trusted him to do what was right for me and the baby. The next thing I was in theatre, receiving a spinal block epidural. The nurses were amazing, one of them held my hand when the local and epidural went in. The mood in theatre was really light hearted making me feel really relaxed. Dereck and the hospital team just worked together and the next thing I knew I heard a cry and our gorgeous Alex was born. The pediatrician Peter Knobbs checked over him, the midwife did her thing and he was next to me and Scott a few minutes later. Dereck finished the stitching up and I was taken to a recovery area where I was monitored for a lot of things! The midwife got Alex straight away on to skin to skin with me and also helped latch him on. As soon as they were satisfied with my recovery progress I was taken back to my room in the hospital where all the grandparents were waiting for me.
I was really scared of being alone with no feeling in my legs that first night at hospital with a new baby. I was amazed by the support given by the nurse/midwife team in the ward at the hospital. At the ring of a bell I always had someone come and help me with whatever I needed. Each day I had Derek pop in to see me and check on progress, and Peter popping in to check on Alex. Scott came in between 8am and 8pm to support me. The staff at the hospital also supported us throughout the day and night. They helped me with getting breast feeding underway. There is a lactation consultant in the team who comes and helps you if you ask for some assistance. I had colostrum only for the first few days and my milk slowly came through on days 5 and 6. After day 2 Alex had a slight temperature potentially from dehydration as he wasn’t getting enough milk from me, so I topped up with a small amount of formula for the first few days until my milk came through properly and from day 7 onwards he has been only on breast milk. I ended up being in hospital from Tuesday to Saturday when I was discharged by Dereck.
We have been settling in at home, I used some pain relief for the first two weeks after operation and now I feel fine. I have one final check up with Dereck in four weeks time, in the meantime a post natal midwife associated with Origins comes round to see Alex and myself. I really hope this write up helps someone else who may have to have an elective c section for whatever reason.
xxMayu
