Harriette & Florence

Pregnancy and the lead up to birth

Last year we moved to Melbourne at the end of January and a month later we found out I was pregnant! We were very excited but I also found it slightly daunting as I didn’t know how antenatal care worked in Australia and I was also disappointed to be going through pregnancy away from family and most of my friends. 

In Australia, you can choose to go public or private for your birth - however without insurance, which we did not have, the cost to go private is prohibitively expensive - about $25,000 (!!!) . We were lucky to be in zone for the Royal Women’s hospital, a large public women’s hospital in Melbourne. I always knew I wanted to deliver in a hospital, as being an anesthetist, I’d seen how quickly a birth can change and I knew giving birth somewhere with a NICU, pediatricians, obstetricians and anesthetists present 24/7 would put me at ease that if anything were to happen to our baby or myself during birth, extra care would be available instantly.  For my antenatal care I could choose to go to the hospital for all my appointments and see one of the hospital midwives (which would change each time depending on who was there) or I could do ‘GP shared care’ which was when GP’s who chose to partner with this hospital were able to offer antenatal care as long as I was to remain low risk. I chose to see my GP for my antenatal care- it was nice seeing the same person each time and it was only a 5 minute walk from where we lived, she had weekend appointments so Damian was able to come as well. There were two appointments I had to go to the hospital for - the booking appointment at 15 weeks with one of the lovely midwives and then a birth planning appointment at 36 weeks with one of lovely obstetricians. If there were any after hour or emergency issues I could just go to the hospital - we had to go once because I didn’t feel Florence kicking as much as usual and I was so grateful to be seen very quickly by the midwives and have a CTG to show she was all ok. 

My pregnancy was reasonably straightforward thankfully,  I had some nausea and vomiting towards the end of my first trimester which I found hard dealing with at work as I couldn't leave theatre easily and it was before I had told anyone at work as well. I also made sure I was extra careful about protection from X-rays in theatre which did cause me some worry even though I was wearing the right gear. I probably found myself slightly more anxious throughout the pregnancy- around exposure to sickness and radiation at work and also regarding food choices and being extra careful about listeria risk (for some reason this was really drummed into me by my GP).  The second trimester was my favorite - starting to feel kicks was the best - we would talk to Smudge (our nick name for Florence because of how she looked on the first scan and we didn’t find out the gender ) all the time and would wonder what life was going to be like with her here. I was sleeping well, and not feeling sick anymore! With the third trimester -my reflux was very pesty and I was reliant on Gaviscon particularly at night, and sleeping more upright. I also found manoeuvring myself around at work in tight spaces more challenging and sleep seemed to go out the window - I would toss and turn a lot trying to get comfortable, getting up lots to wee and Floss would also like to move lots and get the hiccups in the early hours. I had a few scans more than usual in my pregnancy as Florence was measuring larger than expected. I really looked forward to these scans as it was so cool seeing her move around and reassuring to see how healthy she was.

Birth hopes and what ended up happening 

I didn’t have my heart set on any particular type of birth all I wanted was for Floss and I to be safe and healthy most importantly, and for me to have ideally avoided a high degree tear - that was it.  Due to Florence being a bigger baby throughout my pregnancy I was offered the choice of an induction or elective caesarian at 39 weeks. The idea of the induction being to kickstart labour a week earlier than 40 weeks so that she would still hopefully be less than 4kg and increase my likelihood of a successful vaginal delivery without complications such as her shoulder or head getting stuck, or me sustaining a high degree tear. After talking through with a friend, Damian and the team at the hospital I decided on an elective caesarian as I believed this gave me the best chance of Florence being delivered safely and avoiding complications myself. It was an easier decision for me I think as I knew how lovely and calm an elective caesarian is, having been present as an anesthetist for many, however I did wonder a little bit if I would miss the experience of labour but on the healthy arrival of Florence I haven’t spent anytime regretting my decision. I had a lovely delivery - Damian was with me the entire time, it was very relaxed, there was music playing and I was very comfortable throughout. I was able to do skin to skin and breastfeed Floss straight away and I was out of theatre within an hour and we were up on the postnatal ward shortly after. All the theatre staff were very kind and I am forever grateful to one of the nurses for taking these incredible photos and videos of the entire delivery which I will forever cherish. My recovery has been great - I was a bit sore the first 2 days and did find it hard getting in and out of bed to get Flossie out of the bassinet to feed her. I was in a shared room on the post natal ward so Damian was not able to stay overnight (due to hospital policy) which I found very challenging  when I was super sleep deprived, hormonal, sore and still very much working it all out with breastfeeding. The midwives on the post natal ward were amazing - incredibly kind and non-judgmental even when they were so stretched overnight. We left for home after spending 2 nights in hospital once Floss received the all clear. 

Was there a moment that stands out most vividly for you? 

Her birth for sure but also the moments just before Florence was born. Damian was sitting next to me and we were so excited and knew we were on the cusp of a whole new life, and that everything was about to change in ways we could never anticipate. Also the first time we were finally alone, just the 3 of us, was incredibly surreal - that Floss was finally here and we were now this little family. Sometimes when I wake in the night and she’s in her cot next to our bed and I can see her sleeping I still feel like it all seems like bit of a dream and I still can’t believe I’m her mum. ( and she’s nearly 4 months old!)

How did you feel when you finally met your baby?

Overwhelming relief that she was healthy followed by this enormous wave of happiness, love and some disbelief that she was here and we were suddenly parents! I can remember them pulling down the drapes so I could get see whether we had a girl or a boy and then seeing she was a girl crying out ‘oh Florence’ and bursting into tears. Even now when I think about hearing her first cry it makes me emotional. 

Looking back now, how do you feel about your birth?

Incredibly grateful for the care I received allowing me to have a healthy baby and be healthy myself. I wouldn’t change anything and if I have another baby I would have a caesarian again without a doubt. 

Written by Harriette