Christine Topalov

My birth was the most amazing, achievement of my life.  We always hear how painful and awful child birth is through the media, but with Sonya's help it was the best thing I have ever done (above winning Showjumping State championships, graduating from University, everything!)  I can't begin to put into words how empowering it is to bring a new baby into this world, without any drugs, completely naturally.  I never thought I could do it, but afterwards I was on such a high I kept thinking I'm going to come crashing down soon....I never did!!

My first child was born with the aid of an epidural and suction.  I went to the hospital when I was 1cm dilated as my hind water had broken.  They gave me sleeping pills!  They insisted I have the epidural now as they didn't know when the anaesthetist would be back (I still hadn't really felt any contractions)   The Doctor and many Midwives regularly came and gave me internals.  Eventually after lying on my back watching the contractions on the screen and the cricket on the TV the doctor decided it was time to just suck her out!!  She slept continuously for the first 2 days, not even waking to be fed.  I threw up constantly after the birth, and I cried all of day 3.  I had an episiotomy and many, many stitches, and was very sore and sorry for weeks afterwards.

With my 2nd daughter,  I woke to contractions about 2 or 3am but went back to bed till nearly morning, I did the washing, and thanks to Sonn I didn't go to the hospital till my labour was well established.  My baby had been posterior, and although we had got her to move with reflexology and lots of other exercises, she turned back.  So when I finally went into labour (a week overdue (the day before my doctor was going to induce me!) she was still posterior.  Sonya came around in the afternoon, and my contractions were still really irregular.  I thought it was going to be a very long night.  But Sonya checked my baby's heart (this was always reassuring knowing that she was medically trained), then was able to tell that the baby was still the other way, she gave me reflexology and then got me to have a rest, but on my right side.  But then amazingly, my contractions rapidly got closer and closer together, and before we knew it, they were 1 minute apart with no breaks; it was time to head to the hospital!  I developed a definite ritual to help me cope with the contractions while at home, and continued these once at the hospital.  I could not have done it without Sonya (and of course my husband!).  She rang the hospital with all our details, she kept us calm, especially when we got to the hospital and the staff seemed to be panicking.  I just kept my focus on Sonya and she handled everything!  When I started to get a sore back, she suggested other positions  (I think I am single handedly responsible for Toowoomba's water shortage!!), and when I needed to push and the doctors and nurses all seemed to be yelling directions at me, I just focused on Sonya and she guided me through!  And not one internal either!

I wasn't sick afterward, and what pain, I forgot it the minute I got my beautiful bundle of joy in my arms!  In fact, no matter how hard I try I can't remember the pain, only the euphoria of achieving such an amazing thing!!!!  I was able to get up have a shower and walk back to the maternity ward.  I only stayed in hospital so I had some peace and rest from my 3 year old and the housework!

I just want to do it again!   As I said I was on such a high, that 10 months on I still haven't come down!  It has put a whole new perspective on my attitude to staying at home with my children.

I could not have done it without Sonya, and I would definitely recommend everyone get themselves a midwife, I'll be signing up the minute I find out I'm pregnant next time!!!

Christine Topalov

I can't wait to go again!