Sarah Downs pulled her baby from her own womb. (Picture: Rana Rankin)
Well this is definitely a memorable way to welcome your child into the world.
When 31-year-old Sarah Downs read about her obstetrician, Dr Shiri
Dutt, performing a maternal-assisted caesarean, she knew she wanted to
try it for herself when she gave birth to her second child.
She’d had trouble giving birth naturally the first time around, so a
planned caesarean with involvement optional seemed like the perfect
option.
‘I wanted to have a more personal experience,’ Sarah told Daily Mail Australia.
(Picture: Rana Rankin)
‘Why wouldn’t you want to be the one that pulls the baby from your womb?’
(Picture: Rana Rankin)
And so she started planning. She spoke to Dr Dutt, who was ‘really
excited’ about performing his fifth maternal-assisted caesarean, and
soon Sarah was going through counselling and training to make sure she
was prepared to assist with pulling her baby out of her own womb.
‘We did practice rounds during my appointments and then basically had
my interview at the hospital so before I got there,’ says Sarah.
(Picture: Rana Rankin_
‘I knew what to expect, what to do at every step of the way.’
On the day of her birth, Sarah put on scrubs and got ready.
(Picture: Rana Rankin)
She lay down on the bed with a full view of her lower half, so that
she’d be able to see her c-section during every step of the way.
And then they were off.
(Picture: Rana Rankin)
‘Being able to deliver your own baby and be the first person to hold her was incredible,’ says Sarah.
‘A couple of pushes on the stomach and the head was out and that was all done by the obstetrician.
(Picture: Rana Rankin)
‘Then I pulled her up to my chest. I was so excited to meet her. It was the best thing I’ve ever done.
‘Oh my goodness, it’s hard to describe the moment I held her in my
hands. I just had this whole rush of emotions going through me. I
started crying tears of joy.’
(Picture: Rana Rankin)
While delivering your own baby isn’t for everyone (the procedure
isn’t suitable if the baby is too big, too small, or there are any
complications), Sarah hopes that her story will encourage other women
who are interested in a more involved birthing experience to give it a
go.
‘I highly recommend the procedure to other mothers,’ she says.
(Picture: Rana Rankin)
‘Not every person could have the procedure. But if you have an
obstetrician who is confident enough to do the procedure – because some
are against it – then definitely go for it.
(Picture: Rana Rankin)
‘Hopefully my story will inspire other mothers in my situation to
give it a go. If I was going to have another child, I would definitely
do it again.’
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