Laura tells her birth story in her own words…

Once my husband and I decided to try for a baby, I got pregnant in 5 months (which I consider to be quite quickly). I was really sick for the first 20 weeks. I lost 7kg and it was definitely a tough time. The plus side was, having the constant nausea and vomiting was kind of reassuring and a reminder that everything seemed to be doing what it should!

Once that subsided, I absolutely loved being pregnant. I loved how I looked, felt and I walked around with my big bump very happily. I’m not sure I exactly ‘glowed’ ha ha but the whole time it really was never lost on me how lucky I was to conceive and grow this little person.

Sam and I chose not to find out the sex of the baby, I figured it might make me push harder at the end. I went with a private OB at John James hospital who I had an instant connection with. I felt completely relaxed in her care and trusted her 100%. I never had a ‘birth plan’ or any preconceived ideas. I figured I would just go with the flow and whatever happened happened. I still find this funny because I am quite a highly strung person and usually like to be in control of the situation, know what’s going on at all times and plan things to a tee. I found the whole pregnancy and birth to be really calming for me. Odd I know!

As the pregnancy went on, the scans showed that the baby was measuring quite big, particularly the head (>99 percentile) which was no cause for concern as everything always came back positive, but it did put the dates and my due date into question quite a bit. Originally, I was due October 31 but it bounced around a lot with the conflicting measurements.

It was eventually decided at about 35 weeks that I was going to be induced at 38 weeks on October 14. I loved having a date and being able to prepare for that (the planner in me!). Of course, there was still a chance that I could go into labour naturally which was always in the back of my mind.

I arrived at JJ hospital on the 13th in the afternoon and was admitted all going to plan. I was initially given a dose of Pitocin and then another at midnight. There wasn’t much action at all during the night and I was able to get some sleep. The next morning, I was moved in to the labour ward and my OB broke my waters. This didn’t hurt but was just an awkward feeling then SOOO much warmth. Ha ha not the worst feeling in the world but required the sheets being changed a lot.

Contractions started fairly quickly after that, but I quickly discovered I was only dilating 0.5cm an hour. Not ideal. The decision the have an epidural was an easy one. I am the daughter of two nurses so I was always very aware of my options and had no hesitation in accepting pain relief. The hours that came after that were long, but enjoyable! Lots of chats with my husband and the midwives, our thoughts on the sex etc My OB would be in frequently checking in and all was going well, albeit slow.

Later that night on my final check and at 9.5cm dilated, there was blood discovered in my urine which meant that baby has potentially become stuck. It was suggested to me that the safest option for all involved was to be taken to theatre for a c-section. At this point, I just wanted to meet my baby so I had no issues with this at all. Everyone was really calm and I was completely ready.

My husband was whisked off to get his scrubs on and I was wheeled in to get prepared. I remember laying there thinking how professional everyone was and how they all had their specific part to play, it was quite incredible. There was no pain whatsoever, but so much pressure. I called out to my OB a couple of times and asked if she could ‘see it yet’ which she always replied ‘nearly!’.

At 8:57pm Toby Jack Delaney was born. He was brought to my chest straight away and it was then that I was completely flooded with emotions. In that moment, the 20 weeks of vomiting, and the 12hrs of labour prior were all a blur and long gone. I honestly can’t even tell you what happened next. Being back in my room with the most perfect little boy was when my life seemed to truly begin.

I look back on the entire experience with such joy. I am beyond grateful to everyone involved for doing their bit. I feel that its often the sad or tragic stories we hear the most in the media and it is so important to remember that these miracles are also happening and deserve to be celebrated. Even prior to being pregnant I always hated when I would hear pregnant ladies whinge and, of course I did my fair share, but I just wanted to be so aware that this isn’t the story all ladies have to tell and to be thankful every day that I can.

What do you wish you knew before birth?
Do you know what? I actually feel that I was really prepared for the birth. I think that’s where all the focus is on in society, the birth. The books, the classes and the conversations with friends is all about the birth and the ‘what ifs’. For me it was probably the next 12 months I wanted to know more about. What to expect after all the visitors leave, when my husband went back to work, the day-today with a baby and the feeling of where to from here.

If you could, would you do anything differently?

I have been stewing on this question for so long! I honestly don’t think there is anything I would do differently (not helpful I know!). I look back on the whole experience as such a positive one and with such gratitude. How could I possibly change a thing when the end result was a healthy babe and a healthy mama?

What did your partner do that really helped during labour/birth?

I think the fact that my husband is just so relaxed and chill meant that the whole experience was very zen. By no means was it a walk in the park or a ‘text book’ labour/birth but at every twist and turn having him stay calm and just be there for what I needed made the world of difference. Even though there experience must be so different from ours as women, it still must be an equally as wild ride for them too.

What advice/honest truth would give a mama-to-be about birth?

We can prepare, research and be as ‘ready’ as we possibly can but ultimately our baby/ our body will decide what is going to happen. Give yourself to the experience, trust that you are in the best hands possible and try to remind yourself what truly unbelievable thing it is that our bodies are doing/have done and the magic of what it is that you have created. It sounds a bit airy fairy I know but if the end result is a new life in our arms then how lucky we are.