"The birth of our second child"

I wanted to write to thank the incredible teams that supported and enabled the birth of my daughter recently. I wanted to give special mention to Dr Anna who was the most compassionate, competent, and clear doctor I think I have ever met. I also want to thank Katie (maternity nursery nurse) who worked the night shifts (ward 8) during my admission as her kindness and patience were significant inputs into my birthing and recovering experience.

I was feeling very anxious about the birth, having had a very difficult birth and recovery with our son and a loss before that. My son was born via C-section at Fourth Valley Hospital in 2023, but we had a very difficult experience. I was hoping to give birth via VBAC but was faced with a dilemma when labour was not progressing after my water has had broken. Dr Anna was so helpful, compassionate and clear in her laying out of the options ahead and we proceeded with a C section a few hours later.

Anna made me feel listened to and enabled me to make an informed decision about the birth. This was really empowering in a situation which could have felt negative. Even though it was not the birth I had hoped for it was undoubtedly a positive experience and one that I am enormously grateful for having had the team that I did.