Introducing....

Amelia Rose Hartwright

Born Monday 25th June, 2012 at 3.33pm

weight 3.5kg and 53cm long

Our gorgeous girl was born last Monday, with a minimum of fuss (on her part) or effort (on my part). Due to my high blood pressure and threat of preeclampsia the OB agreed to induce her at 38 weeks, which is what happened with my first two. I would be lying if I didn't admit I was pleased to have the last two weeks knocked off, and being able to make plans and be organised for the birth vis a vis the older kids made things more manageable.

BEFORE.....

We checked in to the Mater Hospital on Monday morning, bright and early.  By 7.30am the obstetrician had broken the membrane and after some initial checks I was told to get up and walk about for a while to try to get things moving along. So we went down to the hospital cafe for a coffee. After about 30 mins I was having contractions about 3 min apart and told Tom I thought we should go back upstairs. When I stood up to leave, the floodgates opened and I had one of those movie moments, dropping what felt like a bucket of water on the floor of the cafe. I shuffled out trying to keep my legs closed and hide in the hallway, while Tom tried to discreetly mop up the floor. But I was laughing so hard, it just kept coming out and running down my leg!

DURING....

After that things slowed down a bit, and by 11.30am labour hadn't kicked in so they decided to put me on the oxytocin drip and speed things up. I had the epidural put in at the same time, and then lay back and waited for things to get moving. Had a bit of a doze for a few hours on and off, while things quietly and painlessly started happening. Labour was in full swing by about 1pm, although I was deliriously oblivious to all this. So amazing what the female body can do.

AFTER....

The midwife came in about 3pm and I was fully dilated, so she called the OB to come back and told me to get ready to push. One, two, three and she was out at 3.33pm. So peacefully, calmly and easily - it was just such a beautiful and memorable experience I will treasure.

Here she is only moments old.

As she was two weeks early, she was still covered in a thick coating of vernix. Looks like she's about to tackle the English Channel.

Having the Apgar test, being weighed and given that nasty Vitamin K injection.

Already preparing to be a thumb-sucker like her sister.

Charlie and Poppy arrived about an hour later and were so thrilled to finally meet the baby they have waited so patiently for.

A few days old and she had her first bath, with no fuss at all.

Those middle of the night feeds are exhausting but I do secretly enjoy the solitude and time spent with that precious little bundle. They smell so good.

Had such a wonderful and relaxing stay at the Mater, the most amazing hospital. I have had all three babies there and could almost be convinced to have another just to go back! It is such a brilliant hospital with first class facilities and just the most wonderful nursing staff. The experience I have had every time has been perfect, and I had always cried when I left.

Poppy has claimed Amelia as strictly her baby and nobody else's. 

Getting ready to leave. I was very emotional and teary preparing to leave the bosom of the maternity ward, knowing this would be my last stay. With all those gorgeous, caring, nurturing midwives and nurses who do such a wonderful job looking after new mums and babies. Leaving the security, comfort and attention you get is quite overwhelming. 

Strapped in to face the new world.

At HOME....

Sleeping in her cot for the first time. She looks so tiny.

Out in the big world and ready for her first walk.

With proud as punch big brother.

And adoring big sister.

I can't tell you how extraordinarily blessed I feel. I am so fortunate to have had such easy and complication free births and to have produced three healthy and beautiful babies. The medical care I have received from day one, be it my OB or the midwives in the delivery suite, to the nurses in the maternity ward and everyone in between, has been of the highest standard, and all of them so kind, caring, nurturing and interested. It has made each experience one that I treasure and am so grateful to have. How fortunate we are to live in a country where we have access to this kind of care.

I have a beautiful family with the most divine children, each one a precious gift, and the most wonderful husband I could possibly wish for. All this to me is extraordinary, given I was still single at 35 and thought this had all passed me by. At the end of the day, these experiences serve to remind me that there is nothing more important than family and that houses, possessions and the right paint colour are mere distractions when what is really most important is loving these special people with all your heart and being grateful for such blessings.

Melx