Talk to Christian Aid about your birth experiences NOW CLOSED

[AngelieMumsnet]

For its Christmas appeal this year, Christian Aid is focusing on maternal healthcare projects that provide delivery kits, training and transport, all to help save the lives of mums and babies in Kenya. So, Christian Aid has asked us to find out about Mumsnetters' birth experiences in the UK, and to celebrate the people who helped you through it .

Christian Aid have said "Each year in Kenya 40,000 babies don't survive their first month of life and 14,700 women die from complications during childbirth and pregnancy. In rural areas, losing babies is so common that it’s simply considered a part of life."

So, who were the heroes who supported you when you gave birth? Was there a midwife who went above and beyond to make things smoother for you? A birth partner who really made a difference? What did they do that you particularly appreciated?

Christian Aid would love to hear your experiences and thoughts, so please do share them here.

Thanks,
MNHQ

PS - With Giving Tuesday taking place today, take a look at Christian Aid's video to find out more about their Christmas appeal:

[FoodPorn]

The lovely, warm and hilarious anaesthetist at the John Radcliffe in Oxford and his assistant who put me so at ease for my section that the whole thing was a breeze. He was even kind enough to give me a local for my cannula after I said I was scared of needles. I think of them often. Thank you for your kindness!

[FoodPorn]

Great cause too - I was horrified by the documentary I saw on the lack of medical care for births somewhere in Africa and really wished I could personally fund better care there directly. I just hope that funds donated get to those in need and are not swallowed up by the costs of the organisation.

[Professormoriarty]

My ds was born at 41+0 via emergency c section after some medical issues throughout pregnancy (mine, not his) a failed induction and a missed transverse lie. I am so grateful to the consultant obstetrician who delivered us both safely. My ds is now a bouncing, healthy 13 month old and my medical issues have been minimised. I am certain had we had less access to health care the outcomes would have been very different.
The midwives, but more especially the maternity assistants on the ward who supported me to breast feed despite the fact I wasn't allowed to sit up, also made a huge difference and ensured I had as much dignity as I could in the circumstances I was in.
It is so important that women have access to suitable maternity care and it is so important that charities help support areas that aren't as resourced as the UK.

[Baconknickers]

Felt very lucky with relaxed setting and lovely doctor, for 2 normal non surgical delivery very confident that wouldn't be in pain and would go smoothly and me and babies were healthy.

[HoneywithLemon]

My first birth was very straightforward but fast and scary as it was my first time. I had a newly qualified midwife in attendance. She did a great job. I was impressed by her professionalism and her bedside manner was perfect.

[SacreBlue]

I didn't have a good birthing experience (long labour, my DSis had to leave & busy ward) but I wanted to add to this thread as I had the most amazing support after birth from my health visitor.

The birth of course needs vital support and the bit after, when you leave hospital, is just as important. My health visitor was amazing and gave me lots of support and advice.

When I think about my DS birth my health visitor is who I think of first because she was absolutely brilliant. No judgement, lots of advice & real understanding of the difficulties I was coping with as well as continuity of care.

Health visitors sometimes get a bad rap but mine was brilliant and I wish every mum had one like her because she made the move from hospital to home so much easier.

[machair]

I had a positive birthing experience, for which I thank God and also the women who ran the hypnobirthing course I attended beforehand. I believe that this made a huge difference. Also the diligent midwives who gave me regular checks during pregnancy and the advice I got on nutrition. I hope you can make a difference for women in Kenya.

[BlackeyedSantaStuckUpAChimney]

I needed antibiotics to prevent strep b infection in the children. (both births)

I needed help with forceps. for the first, and had post partum haemorrhage. (thankfully not enough to need blood) was bed bound for a month until I stopped bleeding.

ds was in distress and they needed to get him out quick too. both times had the obstetrician and a couple of midwives.

[IdaClair]

The best thing anyone ever did for me during my births is stay out of my way, which barely fits with your ethos.

I've basically always just given birth by myself, sometimes literally, sometimes figuratively, but at no point did I need anything from anyone else. It's always been about being on my own, instinctively.

[SpanielFace]

DS was an undiagnosed footling breech, which wasn't discovered until I arrived at hospital at about 5 cm dilated with a foot in my cervix! I'm very grateful to the MW who examined me, picked up on it and had me on theatre for a CS very quickly. I suspect that in another country we may have been in trouble, I don't imagine delivering a footling breech baby vaginally is easy or has a great outcome in a lot of cases. My anaesthetist was also fantastic, really reassuring when I was quite shocked and frightened.

On another, sadder note, I lost my second baby at 21 weeks of pregnancy. I'm so grateful to all the staff who looked after us, from the ultrasonographer who broke the news at a routine scan, through to the lovely nurse who was there when I delivered him. I can't imagine going through something like that alone and unsupported, and they were all fantastic and sympathetic at an awful time.

[MrsMarigold]

Free healthcare and being able to chose the birth you want is a real privilege many women in the UK take for granted. I grew up in Africa and really value the NHS - it is amazing.

My birth hero was my husband and the medical staff at UCH. I used to do rowing and my husband "coxed" me through my labour with boaty terminology - I had a very clear vision of the baby as a boat gliding efficiently through the water and was able to do long strong pushes when I had contractions. I had a en emergency c-section with DS but a VBAC with DD.

Another hero was the woman in Mozambique who gave birth up a tree. Everytime I felt flaky I thought of her and it gave me inspiration.

[mamato3luvleys]

Had three NHS births and all at Gateshead QE hospital all midwives and doctors took great care of us lot thank you to u all xx

[fRaahhnkincense]

I have been extremely fortunate- I have 3 children. Ds, who is 12 in 10 days, was a 'normal' birth,(my mum and sister were there - it was an amazing experience) Dd2 was an elcs- and although she spent a week in neonatal, i never felt that my feelings were ignored, or that she didn't receive the best care. Dd1 was not so straightforward, and ended in an emcs, I am eternally grateful that i live here- and my section was managed brilliantly. Dh was amazing throughout. All the staff were- and the midwife who made me feel less like a failure during a notes briefing, she probably stopped me falling into pnd.

I had all 3 in the same hospital, and I was in the same postnatal ward.

I cannot imagine how it is for those in countries without the medical help- that was there when I needed it. Nothing was forced upon me. i have been very lucky.

A friend from university has worked for Christian Aid for over 20 years- it's is a brilliant charity, and one I wholeheartedly support.

[fRaahhnkincense]

and this phrase from the OP breaks my heart-

In rural areas, losing babies is so common that it’s simply considered a part of life

It shouldn't be like that. Anywhere.

[Homebird8]

Two home births with two great midwives at each. One birth with a knot in the cord, with a happy ending. The second with too much blood loss for comfort but well controlled with decisive, calm and sensible responses giving us once again a great outcome. Midwives are wonderfully skilled and I am grateful for their knowledge and their simple 'with woman' approach.

[Guyropes]

I had 2 midwives both caring for me during my home birth. They were unobtrusive, and allowed me to get in with it while they observed me. I really appreciated having the unobtrusive support, that sort of swung into action when delivery was imminent. I had absolute faith in their experience and judgement.

[IXOYC]

.