Sophie's Birth 20/9/07

Our gorgeous third born Sophie Elizabeth came into the world as planned on Thursday morning 20/9/07. Having a planned c-section and making it to the scheduled date at 38 weeks was important to us, having had a crisis-driven emergency c-section at 27 weeks for the birth of our second (first was a natural birth at full-term, so I didn't have any issues about missing out on the feeling of what it is like to have a natural birth).

So here is Sophie's story.....

It was lovely being prepared in the lead-up to the c-section date and knowing what to expect and knowing medical staff who would be present at the procedure, although also nerve-racking as lots of time to ponder and read up about c-sections etc etc.

We checked into the hossy at 6am and the operation began at 7.30am. I had a Spinal Block which numbed me from the waist down. The obstetrician, Dr Sophie Leong, lived up to her reputation of being a superb obstetrician - she was wonderful, as were the other medical staff involved. Close to 8am Sophie emerged from my body (she actually needed to be helped out with forceps!! I think because of her size and being wedged into my pelvis). She was born at 9lb 7oz and 53cms long, looking gorgeous and healthy and obtaining an
APGAR of 10/10 at 5 minutes. The paediatrician did find a soft heart murmur which doesn't appear to be any problem and we have an appointment in Dec to see if its still there.

Excited hubby took loads and loads of photos and there are some rather graphic ones of Sophie emerging from the c-section which were interesting to see afterwards.

Sophie was passed to me for a cuddle while I was being stitched and then I breastfed her shortly afterwards in the recovery room. She is a dream baby; latched on beautifully and suckled really well; now at home she breastfeeds really well too.

Our hospital was Mitcham Private and they were FANTASTIC, could not fault the whole experience there. Everyone was friendly, attentive and energetic in their care of me and Sophie. Each mum in the maternity ward now has their own room at all times which is great. The food is nice. The atmosphere of the maternity ward is calm with no interference from other sections of the hospital. Staff are very respectful of patient wishes and dedicated to making everything comfortable.

We are loving having a third child; my 2 year old and 4 year old are so affectionate and interested in her and love participating with mum and dad caring for her, but also happily go off and play together and don't seem phased that little Sophie takes up a lot of mum and dad's time. We are grateful that we decided to have a third; we often heard stories of the tiredness and unmanageability of 3, but nobody told us about the great effect on family dynamics and just how beautiful it all is. Hubby and I feel blessed :) OK I feel I am gushing a bit but this is a pretty exciting time!

great to hear your birth story berry! congratulations on little sophie.

Berry I'm so glad Sophie arrived safely and that all of you are doing so well :) Congratulations and well done.

Berry - what a beautiful birth story - so good to hear you were so well cared for throughout and that you feel so blessed now! Congratulations :)

Fantastic! Congratulations Berry :)

Oh fantastic to hear that 3 is working so well for you!

I have two and am wondering whether or not to venture into the land of three..... hmmmmm.....

Well done and congratulations.

Jo
x

Congratulations on achieving the birth you wanted. I am so glad to hear that your hospital of choice was so caring and considerate of you. Enjoy this special specaial time... :hug:

Congrats hun, it's great you are all doing so well.

oh congrats!!!
I've been waiting to hear how u had gone!!!

hope all is gong well with ur little angel:)

Nicky

Thats a really lovely birth story. Its very nice to hear positive things about having three. I had often been told how hard it is when I was preg with #3, but have found it to be lovely aswell.