Mum takes control with self-assisted birth

After everything she went through to become pregnant,Jaime Wood was determined to take charge of her baby's birth.

Following a series of infertility treatments, she decided to have a self-assisted caesarean section – the first patient to do so at The Bays Hospital in Victoria's Mornington Peninsula.

"I didn't love the idea of an unpredictable vaginal delivery, and didn't trust my body to do the right things after what I went through to fall pregnant," Ms Wood said.

She was guided by obstetrician Dr Natalie Elphinstone, who recently moved her private practice to The Bays Hospital.

"After deciding I wanted an elective caesarean to ensure baby's safe arrival, I then discovered that Dr Elphinstone completed maternal-assisted caesareans, which sounded amazing," Ms Wood said.

"I know you can't control everything but it felt right for me to be in charge and an active participant in the birth."

In a maternal-assisted caesarean, the obstetrician partially lifts the baby, allowing the mother to take it out of her womb and put it onto her chest.

"Many mothers feel somewhat removed from their birth experience with traditional caesarean sections," Dr Elphinstone said.

"This new procedure enables mothers who want or need a caesarean section to be more engaged in the birth and experience an immediate bond with their baby.

"Not all women will feel comfortable with a maternal-assisted caesarean, but every woman I have looked after who has chosen one has found it to be an incredibly empowering and emotional experience."

Jaime Wood helped to deliver the first maternal-assisted caesarean birth at The Bays Hospital

Ms Wood continued a family tradition of making history at The Bays – her mother Leanne Wood was the first woman to give birth in its upgraded maternity unit in 1994, to Jaime's younger brother Ryan, when it was still the Mornington Bush Nursing Hospital.

"I'm so happy with how the delivery went and would definitely choose another maternal-assisted caesarean again, it was such a fantastic and supportive experience with everyone in the operating theatre guiding me," she said.

Dr Elphinstone said she was delighted by the support she had received from the hospital since introducing the birth procedure.

"Developing maternal-assisted caesarean as a technique involves not only me as the obstetrician, but also the anaesthetist, the paediatrician, the midwives and the theatre staff," she said.

"Everyone here has been so supportive of this, which really demonstrates their commitment for women-centred care."

Read more: Midwife's 40 years of beautiful baby stories

Read more: 'Magical connection' as mum assists birth

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