Birth story - Allia and baby Zena

My birth story was a positive one despite baby being in complete breech position and delivering via cesarean when I really wanted the opportunity to deliver vaginally. At our 36 week appointment it was confirmed via ultrasound that bub was still in breech and that although babies can turn once in labour, it was unlikely bub would turn and I was advised of my options for an ECV and planned cesarean if the ECV proved unsuccessful.

My husband and I spent sometime of going back and forth over whether to go ahead with an ECV. I felt that the less medical interventions the better so we tried all the exercises (handstands in the pool, lying upside down off the couch, being active and going for walks, yoga, rubbing belly in a circular motion, cold peas on the top of my belly, etc!). We knew she was in breech from 32 weeks so we’d adopted these exercises for sometime. In the end, I would always feel her head back on my top right 😕 I knew that we needed to book our ECV for week 38 so we agreed to call on Monday Dec 31st to book an ECV and potentially avoid a cesarean, however on Sunday Dec 30th baby Zena had other plans.

At 8am my waters broke as I hopped out of bed (like a cup of water poured out, and leaked from then on) and we made the 2h car trip from our Airbnb accommodation (we were staying out of town with family for Xmas & new year) to the Royal Women’s Hospital (Melbourne). My labour started off as infrequent, gentle surges and I couldn’t quite determine whether or not they were ‘proper’ surges. Once we arrived at the hospital another ultrasound was performed and they confirmed bub was still in breech and advised delivery via cesarean. At the end of the day I just wanted what was best for baby. Knowing she was in breech in the weeks earlier helped me to come to terms with the fact that I may not deliver vaginally. Unfortunately the hospital was unaware of the ‘gentle’ cesarean procedure so I also had to let go of that too. It seems Australia is always one step behind when it comes to new and progressive ways of doing things. I was so worried that not seeing Zena come out of me would affect my connection with her so I’d even asked for them to lower the drape so I could see her coming out. I realise now that it’s not really about how baby is delivered but whether the experience itself is difficult/traumatic because when I saw her raised over the drape I was overcome with emotion. I just loved her right away and didn’t want her to leave my sight.

Prior to the cesarean I was in a room awaiting surgery. The surges quickly intensified every 4-5mins while we were waiting for the theatre to be ready. I thought I was going to deliver while waiting! The nitrous oxide doesn’t l help with pain so much but it does help with focusing on deep breathing. When the theatre was ready I had a spinal block and laid down to begin. I wanted to be as calm as possible so that baby would also come out calm. When Zena came out I didn’t hear a sound and I wasn’t sure she’d come out despite feeling all the sensations of her coming out. When she was placed on my chest she was quiet and placid her eyes opened separately like little seed pods and we had a long gaze into each other’s eyes before she looked over and noticed another silhouette to my left (being dad) and the anaesthetist to my right. It’s a moment I’ll never forget. Something I always say is that I’m glad she came out when she was ready. Fruit is always better when it’s picked ripe.

I was so lucky to have had a great delivery team. The obstetrician was patient with answering my questions and the delivery went off without a hitch. I was discharged after a couple of days and my body has almost completely recovered 2 weeks on. I was worried it would be a much longer recovery time. The hypnobirthing online course has absolutely attributed to the successful outcome of my delivery. I am so thankful to have stumbled across it. Being informed of the physiology, psychology and delivery options helped me to feel empowered and mentally prepared for however my delivery played out and my husband felt he could contribute and support me in a helpful way. Thanks Siobhan for making this resource accessible, affordable, and easy to understand. All the best with your upcoming bubs 💕