"Giving Birth"

After a very tough and long pregnancy I was finally admitted to Ward 72 for induction. After a few hours I was moved down to the labour ward, and everyone was so friendly and helpful. After a little while, things started to get a little difficult, and there was concern for my baby's heartbeat; I was dilating quickly, but my baby wasn't moving down. The two midwives looking after us were amazing. So supportive, and kind, and, they did an amazing job at coaching me on breathing, pushing etc. 

However, concern grew for my baby and some more midwives and doctors were called in to assist and I was being prepped for an emergency caesarean. Something I was utterly terrified of having. Things are a little blurry for me by this point as I was in quite a lot of pain, and trying very hard to have my baby naturally. 

Considering the pain I was in, and fear I was feeling for my baby, I did not appreciate the bedside manner of one of the midwives. She was very keen to perform an emergency caesarean. If this was the only way to make sure my baby arrived safely, then I was all for it, however, this was not the case yet, and there was still a chance I could have my baby naturally. But this did not stop this midwife from asking me to put my signature to paper while I was in full on labour; I presume to agree to the caesarean. She even seemed put out when I didn't put a  date to my signature, as she then asked my partner to date the form. A little time passed and things were still touch and go, so it is also very disconcerting when you're trying to give birth and this midwife was also in my ear saying "cutting baby out will only take one minute, but stitching you back again will be a little while" (I am paraphrasing, as I was in excruciating pain by this point). All the while the other midwives and doctors were coaching me to push my baby out and get him here safely. 

Finally, our baby boy was born. He needed a little help as it turns out he was a good bit larger than expected (10lbs), I believe it was called shoulder dystocia, and he was pulled free, the doctor that did this is my absolute hero. As a precaution our son was taken to NICU and the care for him and myself after the birth was impeccable. 

My partner filled me in a day or two later about the things I missed in my pain during labour, but had it not been for those two amazing midwives and the vast majority of the others then I would not have been given the chance to have my baby naturally. I cannot begin to show my gratitude to these midwives for sticking up for me, for coaching me through it all, and for looking after myself and my baby, before, during and after. They were utterly amazing. 

The midwives, doctors, and pediatricians are absolutely worth their weight in gold and I had no other impression that they had our welfare and care as their absolute priority. Had it not been for the quick thinking and actions of the doctor and the coaching of the midwives, I believe things could have gone very differently. 

I have given birth to two babies at PRM and on both occasions the midwives and doctors were amazing. Both my boys made it to world safe and sound and my thanks and gratitude to the staff here is enormous.