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Mom and baby: two birth stories

Unless you’re having a planned Caesarean, there’s no way of knowing how your delivery will go. That’s why it’s good to familiarise yourself with various possibilities and prepare for some of the plot twists that could unfold.

Real-life deliveries don’t follow a script and giving birth can be anything from a practically spontaneous event to a medical emergency. To help you get an idea of how things can go, we asked three women to share their stories and we also got tips from Dr Tracy Gaudet, co-author of Body, Soul, And Baby: A Doctor’s Guide To The Complete Pregnancy Experience, From Preconception To Postpartum (Bantam).

Mom: Karen Tuzee, 35, graphic designer, Glencairn
Baby: Matthew, born 4 April 2006 (Karen’s first child)

The details: "My waters broke at four in the morning and when I called the hospital they asked us to come in. I took my time showering, getting dressed and finishing to pack my bag. On the way to the hospital I felt what seemed like mild period cramps – the first contractions. These got stronger through the course of the morning, and by 10am I was six centimetres dilated and climbing the walls.

An epidural was administered by about 11am, after which I had one more contraction and then the pain just disappeared. After that incredible pain, it was the strangest feeling to watch the contractions peak on the monitor while you’re having a cup of tea! My midwife was fabulous, and I had made a point to find out as much as I could beforehand so that I was well aware of what’s happening at each stage of the process.

Around 3pm my gynea came to see how I was doing and decided to wait a bit before the big push. So just before 5pm they started preparing me – my legs were put in stirrups, which is not the most lady-like scenario, but at that stage all that’s important is that the baby comes out alright. Then things started happening very quickly. By the third push, there was the baby! Matthew was born at 5.04pm.

My husband cut the cord, and the midwife placed him on my chest and left the three of us alone for a few minutes before taking Matthew through to ICU. He had to stay there for another 10 days because his little lungs weren’t developed yet. I had been doing prenatal classes at the hospital and still had a couple left to do so while he was still there I went back for the breastfeeding ones. It was quite strange going back: I’ve ‘crossed over to the other side’ so everyone wanted to know what it was like.’

What she'd do differently:"I’d take time out to relax and get my strength up well before the birth – you don’t really get much rest for long time afterwards."

Dr Gaudet’s tips if you want a natural birth:

• Find a doctor or certified midwife who encourages and supports you to be involved in medical decisions during the pregnancy and birth, and who is willing to help you try different positions during labour, such as sitting on an exercise ball.


• Take a childbirth education course that values unmedicated vaginal delivery and whose instructors are committed to teaching you and your partner how to be actively involved in your labour and delivery.


• Exercise during pregnancy so you’ll have stamina for labour.


• In addition to your partner, have a doula attend your labour.


• Walk around during labour.

Mom: Carlin Ndube, 34, radio advertising sales account executive, Parklands
Baby: Lindelwa, born 6 April 2006 (Carlin’s first child)

The plan: water birth

Reality: epidural and emergency Caesarean

The details:"I initially looked into having a water birth at home, with a a midwife’s assistance, but let that idea go because hubby had serious reservations. In the end I attempted to give birth naturally at hospital without pain relief, and still hoped for a water birth, but unfortunately things didn’t work out that way because I did not dilate enough, even after 14 hours of labour.

My waters broke at 3am on the Thursday morning, three days before Lindelwa’s due date. I think I kind of “induced” labour myself – because I was getting impatient for the baby to come, I’d started doing aqua aerobics twice a day to try and speed up the process.

Looking back on that day, I remember feeling scared but also elated that my baby is going to be born soon. As the day progressed it became clear that what I had in mind for the birth was out of question. I was eventually given something to intensify my contractions in an attempt to help along dilation, which had only increased by about one centimetre from the morning. By 5pm the pain was so excruciating that I didn’t care about anything else but making the pain stop.

I was given an epidural and wheeled into the threatre – because the risk of infection increases the longer you’re exposed after your waters had broken, the doctor had to perform an emergency Ceasar. By then I was really worried because my body was shaking uncontrollably. I thought I was going to die while they took the baby out of me. I had a brief look at her before they wheeled me into the recovery room.

The best part of the whole experience was when they eventually placed Lindelwa in my arms. I almost forgot about the nightmare labour."

What she'd do differently: "Next time I am definitely scheduling a C-section from day one. I just want to be wheeled in, given some pain relief and out they must take baby number two: I’m definitely not going through this process again!"

What Dr Gaudet wants you to know about Caesarean sections:

• You’ll probably be fully conscious, although if it’s an emergency Caesarean, you may be given a general anaesthetic.


• Your partner will be asked to leave the operating room during an emergency Caesarean, However, during a routine procedure, even one that was unplanned, your partner can usually stay in the room.


• The Caesarean incision site can feel quite sore during the first few days after delivering your baby. Your doctor can prescribe pain medication that will be safe for you to take, even if you’re breastfeeding.


• While healing, Caesarean-section incision sites can be very itchy or numb. A sticky, clear discharge is typical during the first week or so, redness, foul smell, yellow discharge or bleeding could indicate a tear or infection and requires a call to the doctor.


• Intestinal gas and constipation can cause considerable post-op pain. To ease the discomfort, drink plenty of water.

Dr Gaudet on how to know when you’re in labour:

• The amniotic sac breaks, releasing fluid and you begin to experience contractions.


• Contractions last progressively longer and the interval between them grows consistently shorter.


• Your contractions are so strong that you can’t carry on a conversation during them.


• Contractions continue even when you change positions.


• A general rule of thumb is that you should go to the hospital when your water has broken and contractions are three to five minutes apart; however, that recommendation varies. Ask your doctor for an action plan that’s best for you.

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