Royal North Shore Hospital
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
Known midwife (MGP/birth ctr in pub. hosp.)
Why did you choose this model of care?
I knew the benefits of midwifery coninuity
What were your choices for this birth?
Water immersion for labour and birth, Support for normal vaginal birth, Unmedicalised birth process, Birth support team of my choice (no visitor restrictions), Access to medical care/surgery if nec (eg c-section)
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, CTG monitoring (continuous monitoring of baby's heartbeat), Instinctive pushing (ie not coached), Grazing/1st-2nd degree tear, Vaginal birth
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
I received very supportive antenatal care from my known midwife during my first pregnancy. At term, my waters broke at home, so I called my midwife, another midwife answered but I knew her as well, and she suggested we go in for an assessment. Contractions started quickly and became intense soon after arriving at the hospital so I decided to stay rather than return home after the assessment. The midwife asked if I would like to have a vaginal examination and I said yes. But the contractions were too intense and I couldn't get on the bed so the midwife suggested I just get in the bath instead. I felt the urge to push soon after getting in the bath and began involuntarily pushing. The midwife continued to offer me words of encouragement. After about an hour of pushing my baby was born in the bath and supported by the midwife I lifted him to my chest myself. I decided to have an active third stage. I had no issues postnatally and my baby was well so I was able to go home 4 hours later and received support at home from my midwife in the coming days.