I have had 3 beautiful babies, 2 at hospital and one at the Te Awakairangi Birth Centre. I’d like to tell you a bit about the incredible experience I had there! For some context: I have had two babies delivered in hospital and although my experience wasn’t bad, I don’t find hospital conducive to birth. The rooms are disgusting. The paints peeling, the toilets are mouldy. In the postpartum rooms you share a toilet. There’s nowhere for a support person to sleep. It’s very loud and very bright and very, very hot. Your birth is often rushed, and then you are moved straight to a postpartum room. |
By the time I had my 3rd baby I wanted to do something different. Although home was appealing it wasn’t for me as the idea of having my 2 kids around (then 2 and 3) wasn’t something I wanted. Then I heard of the birth centre opening and my world changed. I knew that was where I wanted to be. My own quiet space, a beautiful birthing tub in the room, a glorious queen sized bed that my partner could sleep on and support me through the night, 3 delicious meals a day plus snacks delivered to your room, staff there to support you in every way. It sounded like an absolute dream.
So after 2 hospital births where I felt out of control at times, where my space felt loud and uncomfortable, where my husband was sent home or had to sleep on an uncomfortable chair, and where I almost gave birth to a tiny baby in a car to avoid being at the hospital, on the 12th of Nov I walked into the birth center in labour.
My beautiful midwife met me there and was quietly running my bath. The room was silent except for the noise of the water, or my husbands voice supporting me, and then later my moans and roars and I worked hard to bring my baby down.
And then there he was, born gently into the water at 12.05am on the 13th of Nov. and there was no hurry to get me to the postpartum ward. I just moved a few steps away to the bed where my husband and I held each other and held our baby and I whispered to myself “this is how it should be”.
Supported. Comfortable. Not rushed. Calm. Peaceful. With warm, delicious food and people there to hold your hand through it all.
Te Awakairangi Birth Centre allowed me to have all of these things and come out of my birth physically and mentally well, as all women should.
So after 2 hospital births where I felt out of control at times, where my space felt loud and uncomfortable, where my husband was sent home or had to sleep on an uncomfortable chair, and where I almost gave birth to a tiny baby in a car to avoid being at the hospital, on the 12th of Nov I walked into the birth center in labour.
My beautiful midwife met me there and was quietly running my bath. The room was silent except for the noise of the water, or my husbands voice supporting me, and then later my moans and roars and I worked hard to bring my baby down.
And then there he was, born gently into the water at 12.05am on the 13th of Nov. and there was no hurry to get me to the postpartum ward. I just moved a few steps away to the bed where my husband and I held each other and held our baby and I whispered to myself “this is how it should be”.
Supported. Comfortable. Not rushed. Calm. Peaceful. With warm, delicious food and people there to hold your hand through it all.
Te Awakairangi Birth Centre allowed me to have all of these things and come out of my birth physically and mentally well, as all women should.