Our first Joey Mama Story for 2023 is Claire, who shares with us a little bit about her journey into motherhood with her daughter Matilda.

Tell us a little bit about you?

I’m a 19 year old mum to a 4 week old baby, living in a small country town.

What were your initial thoughts/feelings when you found out you were pregnant?

Very emotional, I didn’t know how to tell my parents.

How was your birth? Did it go as planned or how you expected?

My birth was traumatic. I got sent home twice because I wasn’t in ‘active labour’ the nearest maternity ward hospital was 45 mins away so we didn’t go home just stayed around town for the day then came night and we booked a motel as my contractions where getting worse. Just as I hopped in bed for the night my waters broke and we rushed to the hospital. My back pain was extremely sore and my contractions were worse. They tried putting an epidural in but it took 3 goes as my contractions were too close together and my body was shaking. We finally got the epidural in but it made my contractions one after another, I think it was 6 in 10 mins, but I was still feeling the contractions bad even though I had the epidural. My baby's heart rate was so high and she was coming out shoulder first at 9cm dilated they decided to do an emergency c-section. They stretched all my muscles and had to push her up from my vagina. Coming out of the surgery I was very dopey, shaking like crazy and they had to keep doing the ice test as they numb me to high just below my neck above my shoulders.

How did you find the transition into motherhood?

It was very hard, after birth my baby got taken to a different hospital with an infection so I didn’t see her for 4 days. After her hospital admission she got home and we got called back to Bendigo to find out our baby had been diagnosed with DiGeorge syndrome and had pneumonia as well.

How would you describe your parenting style?

Relaxed, my baby tells me her routine I don’t follow one.

What is your favourite part of being a mum?

The love, knowing I am wanted. Finally finding my purpose.

What do you do for you outside of motherhood?

I’m a waitress at a café and I spend a lot of time with my niece and nephew.

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