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.
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.
