Morag Shackerley-Bennett

“A warm shower rinsed off the debris of birth and symbolically washed away any trauma I’d been holding onto from my son’s birth” 

Juliette was born on a sun-filled lunchtime in April. In that delicious moment between contractions, I remember staring up at perfect clouds skipping across a brilliant blue sky. I knew the baby was coming; I could feel her edging downwards. And for not one moment did I feel that I couldn’t do it - I had MAMA on my side.  

Two years previously I’d given birth in England. My son was born vaginally and very quickly. So quickly that the 45 minutes I was actually in hospital didn’t really make a mark on my experience of birth. However, an under-resourced and ailing NHS meant the two nights post-partum on the ward were traumatic and lonely. When I moved to Australia I knew I wanted to do things differently. I will be forever grateful that the MAMA clinic was just a 15 minute walk away, and an obvious choice when I fell pregnant again.  

In the weeks leading up to Juliette’s birth I was a regular face in MAMA reception. Their brilliant team of practitioners ensured a holistic approach - I felt physically and emotionally prepared. Ellie, who I always wanted to be my midwife (just call it a love at first sight thing), was sure I’d go into spontaneous labour early as my son had been born at 37 weeks, and that I’d be an ‘efficient birther’. As 40 weeks came and went I proved an exception to the second baby rule, however I’m now proud to say I am a truly ‘efficient birther’.  

At 7am on a Monday morning (40+3), I received a message from Ellie to say she’d been at two births the night before and was heading home to bed. About 30 minutes later I felt a little off. Not ideal as my toddler didn’t go to daycare on a Monday. At around 9.30am I called triage to say I had some low level discomfort, but probably nothing. I called back an hour later to say actually yes, these were definitely contractions and not to bother Ellie, but send whoever was available. Seconds later a message came through from Ellie to say she was on her way. Incredible.  

My contractions amped up quickly, and in the 90 seconds I had between each one I changed nappies, made lunch, and played games with my two year old. After a very honest conversation with my partner, we’d agreed that he wouldn’t be my birth partner but he would like to be there at the birth as he had been abroad when our son arrived. It wasn’t a painful conversation, but it was necessary. I felt that Ellie, Anna who had given me so much care through physio, and the second midwife (in this case lovely Charlotte) would be all the support I needed. A female-centric birth.  

At 11.50am Ellie arrived, at 12.30pm my partner arrived home from work, and at 12.45pm dear friends came to collect my son.  

I’d entertained having my son present at the birth, but it became very clear that I couldn’t be a mother to him and give the labour the focus it needed. Once he’d left the house Ellie suggested that the baby would come quickly. The downwards sensations became urgent and I knew that if I didn’t get into the pool soon, I never would. And it’s from the pool that I looked up at the sky feeling like the sun was shining just for me. 

Juliette was born at 1.40pm. Very efficient.  

I snuggled up to my squirming, beautiful newborn on the sofa. Strategically placed blueys saved the velvet, and came with me to the toilet when I birthed the placenta. A little later Ellie lead me to the shower, and that warm water rinsing off the debris of birth symbolically washed away any trauma I’d been holding onto from my son’s birth.  

A few hours later, when the team had gone, my son returned to meet his little sister. The pillowy white clouds had turned grey and torrential rain started crashing down outside. We were cocooned in our new bubble of four. Safe and loved. 

Birth story by Morag Shackerley-Bennett.