Year of baby's birth
2022
Satisfaction with care from midwives:
Satisfaction with care from obstetricians:
Satisfaction with care from GP:
Satisfaction with quality of processes/facilities:
Satisfaction with birth experience overall:
Model of care
Private midwife
Why did you choose this model of care?
lower chance of intervention, gold standard continuity, birth in comfort of home, wanted to know midwife
What were your choices for this birth?
Water immersion for labour and birth, Support for normal vaginal birth, Homebirth with a registered private midwife, Unmedicalised birth process, Birth support team of my choice (no visitor restrictions)
How did your birth start?
Spontaneous labour (started naturally)
What were your outcomes?
Attended by my known midwife/doctor, Birth support team of my choice, Water immersion for labour, Water immersion for birth, Instinctive pushing (ie not coached), Vaginal birth, Physiological 3rd stage (natural placenta birth without syntocinon), Breastfeeding difficulties
Did you feel you could say No to care/treatments offered (or change your mind about your choices) at any time?
Yes
Details of experience
My midwife guided me to be as educated and informed as possible throughout pregnancy. By the time I birthed, I felt empowered and confident. I had what would be considered many people at the birth (my partner, sister, a doula, my best friend, my mum, another friend/ photographer, and the two midwives). My midwife helped me think through what the purpose of all these people was, and helped confirm that it was the right decision for us. My midwife didn't touch me once during labour, which was my plan. She sat back and let me and my support team do our thing. I birthed in the water, didn't tear or graze. I acknowledge the privilege of affording a homebirth midwife. My hope for maternity choices in Australia is that it can be available as many families as possible.