"Outstanding experience"

I gave birth at Good Hope Hospital on 10th April 2018. At 8 months pregnant I was advised my baby was extended breech. This came as a surprise to us as we had planned a natural water birth, something which was so important to us, especially as we had enjoyed such a wonderful delivery with my first child (also at GHH). The consultant team took the time to explain the options and we were very much encouraged to schedule for a c section. I personally wasn’t happy with this and the consultant offered to see me a second time to discuss the risk of a natural birth and the options we had. We decided a c section was the only option to eliminate risk. I went into natural labour on the Tuesday morning, we waited at home and called the labour ward to let them know, they offered me immediate advice over the phone and reassured me. Upon arrival because of our circumstances our midwife met us at the door by name and immediately showed us through to the examination room explaining she needed a few minutes to read through my notes and would be back. She promptly returned and ran through all of options again, she could clearly see I wasn’t comfortable with the option of surgery so offered to bring a consultant in to discuss matters further. Following much advice and time taken by the medical staff to support my husband and I we opted to proceed with a natural birth. Whilst a little nervous this was absolutely the right thing for us.

I had a very clear birth plan (prior to our breech discovery!) and that was to labour in the water. Only person present would be the midwife and birthing partner,

I wanted calm lighting soft music and as little intervention as possible. This included a natural push when ready approach, little noise to allow a birth in a positive calm environment. I accepted days before all of this just wouldn’t be possible. However our midwife again asked for some time to read through my notes in further detail and allow some time to plan the birth I wanted.

Our midwife alongside her and the amazing team they provided to me choice and empowered me. The support was constant and they worked to my birth plan to ever detail. I successfully laboured in the pool and was helped out to physically deliver my son 9 minutes later once he was ready. He needed a little help immediately after birth and the team only at this point entered the room having been waiting outside to assist they quickly helped my son who was back with me a short while later. I successfully delivered my placenta without an injection and we were allowed plenty of time to bond with our son in the room. We were told to make ourselves at home and we very much felt like behind that door was our little place. The support was beyond outstanding and the care provided to me was very personal and focused on what I needed. I cannot thank this amazing hospital and their team enough.