CW: This story contains descriptions of a NICU experience.

Beau was born on the 3rd November at The Canberra Hospital. I had an elective caesarean at 39 weeks as Beau was measuring big and I felt massive. Beau was conceived from IVF, and our obstetrician recommended induction for 39-40 weeks due to IVF. My gut feeling was that I was going to end up needing an emergency caesarean if I was induced, so I booked an elective caesarean instead. 

I'm extremely happy with my decision to have an elective caesarean, as Beau was bigger than estimated, weighing 4.88kg (10pound 12ounces). He also had (still has 😅) quite a large head! 

I felt very calm but excited when I was wheeled into theatre, and I was very grateful Leigh could be present while they placed the spinal anaesthetic. It was surreal when they lifted him up, my first words were "holy shit" as he looked huge!!

He welcomed me with a wee on my chest as they held him up, and he was placed on my chest. Unbeknownst to me, I was haemorrhaging due to a nicked artery, so Beau and I got lots of skin-on-skin time in theatre while they fixed the bleed. During this time, Beau started to turn blue, and our amazing anaesthetist whisked him away to the paediatricians to be checked. Beau was having trouble breathing and had low blood sugar, but he settled and was back with me within a few minutes.

He stayed with me during recovery and until I was back on the ward. Within a minute of being on the ward, he had to be taken to the NICU as his breathing was still erratic and he kept dropping his oxygen saturations. 

He spent his first night of life in the NICU, but was back with us by around 10am the next morning. I surprisingly felt calm the whole time, I knew we were in the safest place and he was being looked after by a great team.

I was also very nauseas from the anaesthetic and very dehydrated, so I was grateful that he was being cared for while I was recovering. I was able to go up to the NICU for a few hours to spend time with him and express colostrum for him. 

What do you wish you knew before birth?

I felt excited and prepared for his birth as I knew I was having surgery. I think if I had attempted to give birth vaginally and ended up needing an emergency caesarean I may be a bit traumatised! Leigh and I had weighed up pros and cons and had all the accurate information to be able to make an informed decision which was the best for our family. 

If you could, would you do anything differently?

I would have packed snacks for me to have when I got back to the ward 😂

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

Leigh was amazing, he was so supportive and helped me to stay calm throughout the entire thing. He stayed with Beau while he was being assessed in theatre and when he went to NICU. It would have been absolutely terrifying for him but he absolutely stepped straight into super dad mode!! 

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

Birth is only a day...then the wild ride starts!!!