Real Life Birth Stories
Read on as three mothers share their birth experiences and the lessons they learned along the way.
Expect The Unexpected…
When Annelize became ill during a school meeting, little did she know her son was about to arrive!
“On Monday 21st January 2008, I was exactly 39 weeks pregnant. When I went for a check-up, my gynae told me I had another week to go!” recounts Annelize. “That evening my husband and I attended a school meeting when I experienced painful abdominal pains. We rushed to Panorama Medi-Clinic; when we arrived there, I was already 7cm dilated!” she laughs.
When her gynae arrived, Annelize demanded painkillers: “But they said an epidural would have delayed the process,” she explains. “When Christiaan was born, it was the nicest, yet strangest, feeling to look at this little person…” the proud mom says.
As for Annelize’s advice for expectant mothers out there? “Just expect the unexpected! Make sure you are comfortable with, and rust, your gynaecologist. And oh yes, sleep as much as possible!”
Embrace Every Minute…
Raazia kept her cool when things got a little out of hand along the road to her son’s birth!
Everything went smoothly with Raazia’s pregnancy until 31st March 2008: “I was 38 weeks along when I was rushed to Somerset Hospital because my placenta had broken,” the young mom says. “They induced labour and the cramps were unbearable,” she remembers.
After 45 minutes of labour, Mogamad Saaliegh arrived via natural birth. “The best part was when they put him on my chest and he gave this little sigh,” she smiles.
Raazia knows many women are wary about giving birth at government hospitals because of the “horror stories” people tell but she disagrees: “The nurses and doctors took very good care of me.”
Raazia wants every mom-to-be to fully enjoy their pregnancy: “Don’t be afraid and listen to the doctors and midwives at all times – they know what they’re doing!”
Everyone’s Experience Is Unique…
Noni had everything planned for her first delivery – or so she thought!
“From the time I found out I was pregnant, I had wanted a water birth. But then my son was 10 days overdue, so my gynae induced me and I was forced to kiss the water birth idea goodbye!” Noni reminisces.
While the delivery was without mishaps, the same could not be said for when Noni brought baby Luke home: “A few days afterwards, I started bleeding,” Noni reveals. When the problem didn’t ease for two days, Noni returned to hospital. “My womb wasn’t closing fast enough. It could’ve been fatal if we hadn’t stopped the bleeding in time,” she says.
While being a mother is “life-changing”, Noni tells expectant mothers: “Every birth experience is different… I personally don’t believe in birth plans because things don’t always work out the way you plan!" she laughs.
