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My midwife suggested towards the end of my pregnancy to try to birth at Te Awakairangi Birthing Centre in Lower Hutt, as we had discussed the birth trauma I received after my first son. I couldn't face being in a hospital environment. It was barely open a few weeks, and I went into labour. My labour came on quickly, and made my way to the birthing unit 5 minutes away from home. Baby was coming rather fast, and the reception/midwife were quick to assist. We barely made it to one of the beautiful rooms down the hall way, and he arrived 4 minutes after arrival.
There was short notice given by the midwife, and the centre had already run the bath in anticipation. While I didn't labour for long at the centre, after giving birth was amazing. I had a shower and the staff remade the queen bed.
After coming out of the shower it felt like a hotel room. You wouldn't believe how that feels after giving birth. I was calm, relaxed and could spend time bonding and early breastfeeding.
There was short notice given by the midwife, and the centre had already run the bath in anticipation. While I didn't labour for long at the centre, after giving birth was amazing. I had a shower and the staff remade the queen bed.
After coming out of the shower it felt like a hotel room. You wouldn't believe how that feels after giving birth. I was calm, relaxed and could spend time bonding and early breastfeeding.
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High quality cafe style food was continuously being delivered to the room. As you know sometimes you don't feel like eating, so this was amazing to re-energise. The on-site midwife and admin team were also amazing. They popped in when needed, to have conversations or offer support. They took baby overnight for a few hours so I could catch some sleep.
The two days I spent in there was the best possible start I could have ever imagined after being very traumatised after my first. On discharge, the staff gave a bag of goodies and suggested to take a photo under the Maori carving in the reception area which we gratefully accepted.
We were baby number 7 birthed at Te Awakairanga, and I couldn't fault the experience. It completely changed the way I saw birth, the experience and healed wounds I thought that could never be healed.
The two days I spent in there was the best possible start I could have ever imagined after being very traumatised after my first. On discharge, the staff gave a bag of goodies and suggested to take a photo under the Maori carving in the reception area which we gratefully accepted.
We were baby number 7 birthed at Te Awakairanga, and I couldn't fault the experience. It completely changed the way I saw birth, the experience and healed wounds I thought that could never be healed.