Eliza with babies; Amelia & Freya

My first birth was medically complicated. The care from my birth centre midwives protected me from experiencing a cascade of interventions and allowed me to have a positive experience despite the challenges I faced.  My second birth was very healing, a beautiful water birth that I walked away from feeling powerful, loving and loved.  The birth centre midwives cared for me and my babies at such a vulnerable time, and I will be forever grateful.  

Amelia 
Note: While overall positive, this birth story is complex so may not be the right read for a pregnant person wanting to surround themselves with only good vibes.  
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During my first pregnancy I loved learning about birth and I hoped for a low-intervention experience. Other than some mild headaches and swelling I was feeling good at the end of my pregnancy. When I was diagnosed with pre-eclampsia at 39 weeks, it felt like my hopes for a physiological birth were not to be. I was admitted to the ward directly from what was supposed to be a standard appointment, and as the reality of not being able to labour at home set-in I was devastated. My birth centre midwives (Corinne, Nicole and Kelly), and midwifery student Britt, were a source of support and ensured I understood what was happening and what interventions were being recommended. Without midwifery continuity of care my time on the ward would have been very difficult, as none of the ward staff that I saw were able to give me any clear direction about what the plan was for my care, and I relied on the regular check-ins from my birth centre midwives for this. I really felt for the women on the ward who did not have access to midwifery continuity of care. I spent my time pacing the ward, the hospital, and the bus station steps, hoping that I could walk my body into labour.  

My efforts were unsuccessful and after a few nights of poor sleep and a largely unproductive balloon catheter insertion I was pleasantly surprised to be taken to the birth centre to have my waters broken at around 7am. I was so relived to be back in an environment where I felt like I was treated as a person and not just a body!  With the support of my midwives I held off from chemical induction for as long as a I could but when it became apparent breaking my waters was not starting labour I agreed to start the oxytocin drip. My contractions went from manageable to intense quite quickly. I was shocked by the speed things were ramping up and the level of pain I was experiencing. I hated being monitored all the time and having people touching me (both necessary in my case due to my health and the induction). I wanted to give up, it felt bigger than I could manage. Thank goodness for my partner Matt, birth support Elyse and my midwives - I had Kelly, Nicole and student Britt in the room at this point. They guided me to use the shower which really helped me to relax, and they kept reminding me to breathe and telling me I was doing great. I absolutely could not have made it through this labour without this proactive support crew. I used gas for pain management and it helped to take the edge off my contractions. I was beginning to feel like I was in a rhythm, changing how I was lunging between each contraction, when Nicole asked me if I was pushing (she later explained she had noticed a change in the sounds I was making). I had been so consumed by the experience that I didn’t even notice! I preferred pushing, it felt so good to be able to do something with all that intensity I was experiencing.  

I pushed for around 30 minutes in the shower but I could tell something might be going on when my midwives started to monitor me more closely. My husband told me later that medical staff were already attempting to become involved at this point but I was not aware of their presence thanks to my midwives protecting the energy of the room. I was most displeased to be told that I needed to get out of the shower and up onto the bed but I knew it must be important if my midwives were telling me to do it. I had such faith in them at this point after their exceptional care during my pregnancy and especially my labour. As my midwives checked where I was at it was explained that there was some concern about babies heart rate. At this point I noticed a number of doctors gathering in the corner of the room. My midwives and supporters were circled around me and I felt protected and held. Nicole looked into my eyes and told me I needed to have my baby now. And so, with an almighty final push, I did exactly as I was told (one of the few times in my life I’ve been well behaved).  

Amelia was born healthy and bright eyed just before 5pm, and came straight up onto my chest for skin to skin. I was also well, my pre-eclampsia resolved almost immediately. I couldn’t believe that I was induced but managed to avoid an epidural and other interventions that so often happen in a birth story that starts like mine. I give 100% of the credit to my midwives and support people. While my first birth my not have gone exactly as I would have hoped, my midwives ensured that my preferences were upheld wherever possible and I will never forget their skill, kindness and bravery as they kept me and my baby safe.  

Freya 
As I neared the end of my second pregnancy, I was nervous about developing pre-eclampsia again. At my request, my midwives performed a stretch and sweep at 39 weeks. I had been getting acupuncture to prepare my body for labour and after a session on Sunday afternoon I felt a wave of bliss pass over me that carried with me throughout the evening. I had been having mild contractions in the evening for a few days but thought nothing of it as they went away after a shower. I knew labour was near but for some reason when I woke at 2.30am Monday morning with abdominal cramps I thought I had gastro. I went and spent some time on the toilet and after a while noticed a bit of a pattern to my “cramps.” I thought I would use a contraction timer app to see if there was indeed a pattern. After a few entries an alert popped up telling me I should go to hospital so I thought it might be time to wake my partner. We called our midwife team (I was so lucky to be back in the care of team one) and arranged to go in. By the time we left home there was no denying that I was in labour, I couldn’t sit down, and will never forget the face of a council worker as he waved us through some roadworks with me hunched backwards over the front seat mooing like a cow. I had a big contraction in the foyer of the hospital and had to rush to get into the lift and up to birth centre before the next one at the reception desk. I was thrilled to have Nicole as my midwife again for this birth and my sister-in-law Rachel there to support us. 

My experience the second time around was so different. I felt the same pain but it did not overwhelm me like it had the first time. I felt powerful and in control throughout my labour. Not long after arriving my waters began to break and it was evident that baby was coming. I hopped into the bath and tried to relax down into the water between each contraction. I felt so in sync with my partner as he anticipated my needs before I could verbalise them. Again, my body started pushing before I realised what was happening. I felt the urge to reach down to catch my baby but seeing Nicole next to me I knew she had it covered and I could focus on the pushing. Freya was born in the water just before 5am and was healthy and gorgeous. I went into this birth with no expectations, so I was overjoyed to have such a positive experience. After Freya was born, it was just me, her and Matt in a little oxytocin bubble, and to have that quiet, uninterrupted time with a brand new human was so precious, I will forever be grateful to Nicole and Rachel for creating that space for us.  ​

Over my two births I have seen the magic of a known midwife providing care to a woman and her family. I’m so lucky to have experienced this and hope to ensure that all birthing people have access to this high standard of care into the future.  

Written by Eliza - FBC President
​Published 31/08/2024