We could not recommend Stephanie more, with her calming, warm, respectful and professional presence – invaluable beyond price. From the outset, during her informative birth education and planning, beautiful rapport was established, as Stephanie kept our conversations focused, while also making genuine efforts to connect with us personally and attune to our unique energy and dynamic.
During the labour at home, Stephanie was levelheaded, soothing and adaptive to my needs, also complimenting my partner well – for example, by gently offering up new pain management positions to work through contractions with him, and to allow his opportunity for a powernap with our anticipated long labour ahead. As it turned out, the birth preceded rapidly with a “precipitous birth” (meaning giving birth spontaneously in less than 3 hrs of regular contractions). 0-3% of women experience this, and I as a 1st time mother, fell into an even lesser category of likelihood. As I demanded ‘sterile water injections’ for my lower-back, I had as Steph noted, obviously and unexpectedly reached ‘transition’ at home, (before our planned arrival at the hospital) and needed to urgently drive to the Royal Women’s Hospital. Stephanie, also liaising with the hospital mid-wife via phone, calmly and quickly helped gather my things, and walked me arm -in-arm to the car, sitting next to me as I knelt, clamouring in pain on the floor by her feet. The baby was posterior, and my contractions began to intensify, feeling like one long joined-up contraction. I could also feel the in-and-out crowning of my baby’s head which I agonizingly tried to hold in during the car trip. Stephanie helped ease the physical pain and emotional terror as my partner drove the 20 minutes (thankfully, at 9:30am – just after peak hour).
When we arrived at the RWH emergency carpark, I could not move, refusing to walk 100 metres through the entrance as I bore down on all fours and pulled down my tracksuit pants and underwear. I intuitively knew if I gave birth on the concrete ground, with Steph by my side (fishing out a scarf from her bag – “no, not for your knees, Rebecca”), I’d be ok. Steph confirmed she could see the crowning, and my partner, along with a bystander, startled by the public spectacle, bolted inside to grab emergency medical support. Within minutes of arriving, I pushed our baby out, with Steph guiding me through what felt the easiest part now – her reassuring voice closest in my ear, drowning out the sea of unknown doctor’s and nurses who had arrived on scene, also permitting me to push. What a relief, and oh the euphoria of having our baby Eleanor finally in my arms.
Stephanie stayed by, helping ensure the rest of our birth plan was adhered to, i.e., delayed umbilical cord clamping, 3-hour skin to skin etc. She was a great moral support, but was the right level of pragmatic too, e.g. Parking our car, searching far & wide in hospital cafes for my requested yoghurt, helping facilitate my heavenly shower post-birth (the most divine shower you will ever have), and taking beautiful photographs of the birth and moments following, so precious to look back on.
While unplanned, Stephanie flexibly and generously availed herself, offering to stay in our home overnight, as she noted our conundrum regarding the hospital room not having space for my partner as well. This was a tremendous support, and we recommend an overnight stay to everyone who employs Stephanie. Never have we felt less qualified, arriving home as a 1st time parents with a fresh newborn! Having Steph around that first night helped me feed colostrum, and allowed my partner and I to catch up on much missed sleep, while she stayed awake to soothe our crying baby.
Post-birth, Stephanie visited the house for a check-in and birth-debrief. We admitted it was very sad to see her leave us, as she’d played such an intimate and crucial role during the most memorable time of our lives. It was lovely to see Stephanie again, and recount the events and our feelings of joy, terror and thrill associated with various moments. We wouldn’t have done it any differently, and are enormously grateful, appreciative and relieved we had wonderful Stephanie with us at every stage of the birth journey, from home to hospital, and home again.
Thank you, Steph!
