Lisa tells her birth stories in her own words…

After a very dramatic first birth what ended in an emergency c section, I knew I didn’t want to do that again. I was in pain and had lots of issues afterwards. Not just physically but also mentally. I felt like a failure. And thanks to society they also make me feel like one.

In my head I was planning a VBAC, but this dream went downhill very fast after my first Dr visit. Due to both pregnancies being super close my only option was another c-section. Off I went feeling sorry for myself and the fact I will never have this magical moment of a vaginal birth.

Eventually I pulled my finger out of my butt and made some steps in the right direction. I got myself a Doula. We had lots of catch ups before the birth. We created a birth plan and spoke lots about the trauma. We did drawings and breathing techniques or just had a cuppa and a chat. It was the best feeling and a huge help in the healing process.

My beautiful OB did everything she could for my doula to join me in the OR. And she sure made it happen .What was a huge deal considering this was in the peak of Covid.

My Doula Kim was holding my hand while getting the epidural and took all my fears away. We played my favourite music while they cut me open and had immediate skin to skin with my bubba and pushed all check-ups back to later as I requested in my birth plan. And there it was… my perfect birth. First thing in recovery was my doula running to Aldi to get me that deli meat and camembert. I mean who doesn’t love a piece of prosciutto right after birth.

2nd time around the baby blues hit hard and I was a depressed hot mess hating on life. But the midwifes and my doula yet again where amazing and squeezed in that much needed hug whenever I needed it.

What do you wish you knew before birth?

This being my second birth I knew what I could do better, and I did. Getting help and support was the best thing I did.

If you could, would you do anything differently?

Absolutely not.

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

He didn’t faint. Jokes aside. He was holding my hand & supporting me.

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

Get that Doula and ask for help if you need it. Don’t save money on your birth. Do the fancy birth course.. take those classes and most importantly treat yourself. Listen to your heart and do what feels right for you.